How to Make a Dry Van

Dry vans are used to transport products and materials from one area to another without refrigeration or other considerations.

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Driving down the highway, you look over to your right and see a transport truck in the lane beside you. Stretched out from the cab is a trailer. Usually white, these trailers carry products from one area to the next and are an integral part of shipping systems today -- they are also called dry vans. Dry vans are transport trucks that haul dry materials not requiring refrigeration or heat/cooling control. Build your own dry van at home using your vehicle and a trailer.

Difficulty:
    Moderately Challenging

Instructions
Things You'll Need

    * 6-foot-by-10-foot trailer
    * 2-by-4 wood, 17 pieces
    * Saw
    * Drill and screws
    * 8-foot-by-10-foot plywood, 6 sheets
    * Reciprocating saw
    * Hinges
    * Doorknob
    * Duct tape
    * Vehicle with a trailer hitch

Suggest Edits

   1.
          * 1

            Use a saw to cut two pieces of 2-by-4 wood to the length of the inside of the trailer floor -- generally under 10-feet.
          * 2

            Secure the 2-by-4 pieces to the right and the left of the trailer floor using the drill and screws.
          * 3

            Cut two pieces of 2-by-4 wood to the width of the inside of the trailer floor. These pieces should sit on the inside of the lengthwise 2-by-4 pieces and be flush with them.
          * 4

            Secure the width-wise pieces to the trailer floor at the front and the back using the drill and screws.
          * 5

            Cut six pieces of 2-by-4 wood to the height of your trailer. For best results, ensure that the height is between 5 feet and 7 feet.
          * 6

            Secure each of these 2-by-4 pieces vertically into each corner of the trailer.
          * 7

            Secure the remaining two 2-by-4 pieces vertically onto the trailer in the center of the right- and left-hand sides of the trailer.
          * 8

            Cut and secure 2-by-4 pieces horizontally to the tops of the vertical beams. This should create a box-type frame on the trailer.
          * 9

            Cut and secure a 2-by-4 piece from the left to right vertical beams in the center of the side of the trailer for added support.
          * 10

            Use the plywood sheets to cover in the entire frame.
          * 11

            Use a reciprocating saw to cut a door out of the plywood sheet at the back.
          * 12

            Secure the plywood door back into its place by attaching the hinges to the door and the trailer box.
          * 13

            Install the door handle to the door using the instructions that came with the door handle when it was purchased.
          * 14

            Tape all seams in the plywood with the duct tape to reduce the amount of drag on the unit from wind while driving.
          * 15

            Build shelving and other storage or shipping requirements into the unit.
          * 16

            Attach the trailer to your vehicle to complete the dry van.
