Strick Dry Van Trailers For Sale in Pennsylvania
Compare Strick dry van trailers for sale in Pennsylvania by floor strength, door style, slider condition, and salt-related corrosion before buying.
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Strick Dry Van Trailers in Pennsylvania
Evaluate Strick's sheet-and-post dry vans by wall integrity and usable inside width, not nominal exterior dimensions alone. Common configurations include 48-foot and 53-foot lengths, 102-inch exterior width, wood floors, and sliding tandem axles. Confirm the actual interior height, rear opening, and clear width between liners before matching a trailer to tall pallets or bulky freight. Swing doors maximize rear access for conventional dock work; roll-up doors suit frequent delivery stops but reduce overhead clearance and add track, roller, and counterbalance maintenance.
Pennsylvania winter service makes the underside the first inspection stop on a used Strick van. Aluminum body panels do not prevent corrosion in steel crossmembers, landing gear, slider rails, suspension hangers, or the rear frame. Inspect floorboards and their fasteners from above and below, especially near the threshold where forklifts repeatedly load the same area. Look for roof-seam leaks, stained lining, repaired corner posts, and loose sidewall rivets. Test every slider lock pin, check air bags and brake chambers, and review brake, wheel-end, and roof-repair records. On older trailers, structural repairs and floor integrity tell you more than a fresh paint job.
For a new Strick trailer, specify floor loading capacity for the actual forklift axle load, not just total cargo weight. Choose scuff protection, logistic posts or cargo tracks, door hardware, and suspension to match loading practices. Confirm written coverage for the body, floor, running gear, and supplier components rather than assuming one warranty covers everything. Qualifying new highway trailers carry a 12% federal excise tax; confirm tax treatment before finalizing the purchase.
Across model years, compare empty weight, GVWR, axle ratings, tire capacity, and loaded axle distribution. A sliding tandem helps balance cargo, but legal operation still requires compliance with bridge limits, route restrictions, and Pennsylvania's dimensional rules. Check ground clearance and dock approach angles for industrial yards and uneven rural access roads. An older dry van can remain useful for regional work, but a highway purchase should be evaluated for structural condition and roadworthiness, not storage suitability.
Frequently Asked Questions about Strick Dry Van Trailers in Pennsylvania
How much weight can I haul in a Strick dry van in Pennsylvania?
A standard five-axle tractor and Strick dry van combination is ordinarily limited to 80,000 pounds gross on Pennsylvania Interstate routes, with a 34,000-pound tandem limit and federal bridge-formula requirements. Cargo capacity is the allowable combination weight minus the tractor, trailer, fuel, driver, and equipment weight. Scale the loaded combination by axle group; trailer GVWR alone does not establish legal payload, and posted bridges or other routes can impose lower limits.
How can I check a used Strick dry van for leaks before buying?
A controlled water test is the most direct way to check a used Strick dry van for roof and door leaks. With permission, apply water gently from outside while someone watches inside for moisture at seams, corners, and door seals. Avoid pressure washing, which can force water past otherwise sound seals. Inspect behind accessible lining and around floor edges because repaired leaks can leave concealed rot or corrosion.
Do older Strick dry van trailers need ABS?
Air-braked Strick semitrailers manufactured on or after March 1, 1998, were federally required to have ABS. Earlier trailers were not automatically subject to a federal retrofit requirement solely because of their age. Verify the manufacture date rather than relying only on the advertised model year. On ABS-equipped trailers, check the warning-lamp operation and have persistent faults diagnosed, including wheel-speed sensors, wiring, power supply, and the ABS controller.
Can a Strick dry van carry temperature-sensitive freight in Pennsylvania?
A standard Strick dry van does not provide controlled temperature protection for freeze-sensitive or heat-sensitive freight. A weather-tight box protects cargo from direct precipitation, but ordinary dry vans lack the insulation and refrigeration equipment of a reefer. Pennsylvania winter conditions can threaten water-based products, while summer heat can damage sensitive packaged goods. Use the shipper's temperature requirements to decide whether a refrigerated or otherwise temperature-controlled trailer is necessary.
Should I replace old tires on a used Strick dry van if the tread still looks good?
Deep tread does not make an aged or damaged Strick dry van tire serviceable. Read the DOT date code, inspect sidewalls and bead areas, and follow the tire manufacturer's age and inspection guidance. Retreaded tires also require attention to casing condition. Uneven wear can indicate alignment, inflation, or wheel-end problems, so diagnose the cause before installing replacements. Match tire load ratings to the trailer's axle ratings and intended loads.