Dry van which brand would you recommend?

Wabash or Stoughton. Stoughton only if it’s cheaper than the Wabash. Had a Great Dane. Not impressed. Look at the strength/ size of the side rails. Side rails/ cross member spacing, and thickness of wood floor, are the only things that hold it together. No frame underneath. Side rails, supported by cross members, tied into wood floor, is the frame.

 

Trailers are like trucks, you can buy the cheapest fleet spec for general freight. Or you can spec it for specific needs. Do your research.

 

Used one for $25.500.00
www.bigiron.com

 

I was a trailer mechanic for a year. Worked mainly on Wabash, Dane, Utility. I remember constantly replacing hinges and sections of floors with the Wabash trailers. I would rank them as such.
1. Great Dane
2. Utility
3. Wabash

I've always had luck being able to close the doors on GD and Utility. Wabash I would at times have to move around and find a flat enough spot or at times slide tandems in order to shut the doors.
Of course it's also in how you spec them, but in my experience the GD and Utility seem to just be built a bit more solid. Can't go wrong with either of the three though.
Some experience with Stoughtons, I was impressed by them.

 

As far as food grade plate dry vans, I would say Wabash Duraplate HD is one of the strongest and best dry vans out there, followed by Stoughton Z-Plate, Utility DX-4000, Great Dane, Strick, Vanguard and Hyundai Composite .

If buying new or used, spec it or look for galvanized or stainless steel kingpin front wrap, rear light boxes and DOT bar.

 

I’ve owned both, a Dane with exact same specs as a utility was 1200 pounds heavier. But I will say, Great Dane is a much better built trailer.

 

A standard Duraplate is still good, but the HD solved the problem of the bottom of the plate trailers bulging out, especially with tire and paper roll loads.