Vanco Van Trailers For Sale
Browse Vanco van trailers for sale, including dry van models with aluminum construction, wood floors, tandem axles, and roll-up rear doors.
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About Vanco Van Trailers
Length, axle setup, and suspension type matter right away. Common examples include 35-foot and 40-foot dry vans with either fixed closed tandem or sliding tandem axle configurations. A sliding tandem gives more flexibility for bridge laws, dock positioning, and weight distribution, while a fixed tandem is simpler and can be fine for local or dedicated use. Many older Vanco trailers use spring ride suspensions and 11R22.5 tires on steel wheels, so buyers should inspect equalizers, hangers, torque arms where applicable, brake components, hubs, and tire wear patterns closely.
Body condition is the make-or-break issue on this type of van trailer. Check the wood floor for rot, soft spots, patched sections, and fastener pull-through, especially at forklift traffic points and near the rear threshold. Roll-up doors should be inspected for cable condition, balance, track wear, and panel damage. On aluminum-bodied trailers, look for corrosion around fasteners, repairs at side posts, roof bows, and signs of impact damage at the front corners and rear frame. If the trailer has exterior posts, steel shelving, or other route-delivery modifications, confirm whether those additions help your application or simply add empty weight.
A used Vanco van trailer can still be a practical choice for warehouse overflow, farm supply hauling, local palletized freight, or stationary storage if the structure is sound. GVWR on older tandem dry vans in this class is often around 68,000 pounds, but actual payload depends on empty weight, floor strength, and current legal operating condition. Buyers should pay close attention to brake compliance, suspension rust, kingpin area integrity, lighting, and signs of prior frame or landing gear repairs. For many operations, the right Vanco trailer is not about age. It is about whether the trailer can still load square, track straight, seal up from weather, and go to work without immediate structural expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I inspect first on a used Vanco van trailer?
Start with the structural items that are expensive to correct. Inspect the frame rails, crossmembers, kingpin plate, landing gear mounts, suspension hangers, axle alignment, and rear frame. After that, check the wood floor for soft spots and forklift damage, then inspect the roof, side panels, and door assembly for leaks or impact repairs. On an older dry van, these areas usually matter more than paint or appearance.
Are Vanco van trailers usually dry vans?
Yes. In this category, Vanco van trailers are typically dry van or dry box trailers designed for enclosed freight. They are commonly used for palletized freight, route delivery, storage, and general cargo that needs weather protection but not temperature control. Buyers should still confirm door type, interior layout, and any added shelving or route equipment because older vans are often modified for specific jobs.
Is a sliding tandem better than a fixed tandem on an older van trailer?
A sliding tandem is usually more versatile because it helps with weight distribution, bridge compliance, and dock approach positioning. A fixed tandem can still work well for local operations, yard use, or dedicated lanes where axle placement is not a frequent concern. The better choice depends on how the trailer will be loaded and where it will run, but on any older trailer the condition of the slider rails, locking pins, and suspension components is just as important as the axle configuration itself.
What are common specs on older Vanco dry van trailers?
Common specs include aluminum trailer construction, wood floors, tandem axles, spring ride suspension, 96-inch width, and 11R22.5 tires on steel wheels. Many examples also have roll-up rear doors and outside heights in the 12-foot 6-inch to 12-foot 8-inch range. Lengths such as 35 feet and 40 feet are common in older units, especially for regional delivery and general freight applications.
Can an older Vanco van trailer still be useful if it is not road-ready?
Yes. A structurally sound van trailer can still be valuable for on-site storage, warehouse overflow, parts storage, or limited yard service even if it needs road repairs. The key is to separate storage value from transportation value. If the trailer needs suspension work, brake work, floor repairs, or major door repairs, the cost to return it to highway service should be weighed against its usefulness as a stationary box.