What Are Plate Trailers—and How Do They Compare to Standard Dry Vans?

Fleet managers, owner-operators, and logistics professionals face critical decisions when choosing between plate trailers vs. standard dry vans. Selecting the right trailer affects load capacity, maintenance costs, and the types of freight you can haul. 

If you’re trying to decide between a plate trailer and a standard sheet-and-post dry van, here’s a quick reference before we dig further into the details:

• If you haul high-volume, low-weight cargo or require food-grade cleanliness, plate trailers might be worth the investment for the extra space and smooth interiors.
• If you primarily haul general freight or weight-limited loads, a standard sheet-and-post dry van offers tried-and-true durability and lower costs.

Many fleets find a combination of the two types gives them maximum flexibility. For instance, you might keep a few plate trailers for specialized contracts and use standard dry vans for the rest.

In the rest of this guide, we define what plate trailers are, compare them to traditional dry vans, and offer insights on when to choose each type. We’ll cover construction differences, durability, weight, maintenance, cost, industry applications, pros & cons, and more.

What Is a Plate Trailer?

A plate trailer is a type of dry van trailer constructed with smooth, thin walls (often composite or aluminum panels) instead of the traditional sheet-and-post design. The term “plate” refers to the wall construction: large, flat plate panels that form the interior and exterior walls, giving a smooth inside surface. Unlike standard dry vans where vertical posts are visible on the inside, plate trailers typically have their structural posts on the outside of the trailer walls. This design yields a wider interior and a flush surface inside the trailer.

Key Plate Trailer Characteristics 

• Smooth Interior Walls: No protruding posts on the inside. The walls are flat panels (plates), which makes it easier to load and unload freight without snagging or obstruction.
• Thin Wall Construction: The wall panels are thin yet strong, often made from composite materials (e.g., galvanized steel sheets sandwiching a plastic or resin core) or aluminum. Despite being thin, they are designed to be durable.
• Wider Interior Width: Because the support posts aren’t taking up interior space, plate trailers have more internal width. A standard plate trailer offers about 100.5 to 101 inches of interior width, compared to roughly 98.5 inches in a typical sheet-and-post dry van. In practice, this extra ~2–3 inches can be crucial for certain loads (for example, fitting two standard pallets side by side with a bit more clearance).

A plate trailer is essentially a dry van with a modern wall construction that maximizes interior space and provides a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Now, let’s compare this with a standard dry van in depth.

Note: Often, the term plate trailer is used interchangeably with plate dry van. It simply denotes a dry van trailer built with composite plate walls. A “102-plated dry van” usually refers to a trailer with a 102-inch exterior width (the legal maximum in the U.S.), which, thanks to the thin walls, provides around 101 inches of interior width.

Standard Dry Van Trailers (Sheet-and-Post) vs. Plate Trailers: Construction & Design

Before comparing their uses and pros/cons, it’s important to understand how standard dry vans (often sheet-and-post trailers) differ in construction from plate trailers:

Sheet-and-Post Construction (Standard Dry Van): Traditional dry vans use a sheet-and-post design. This means the trailer’s walls have vertical support posts on the interior, typically spaced every few feet, with sheets of material (usually aluminum on the outside and plywood or thinner metal on the inside) attached to these posts. The interior of a standard dry van often has plywood linings or visible vertical beams between sections. The interior width is slightly reduced by the thickness of walls and posts (about 98–99 inches typical interior width). This is the most common and time-tested design — it’s durable and relatively easy to repair by replacing damaged sections of wall or posts individually.

Plate (Composite) Construction (Plate Trailer Dry Van): Plate trailers use large composite or metal panels as walls, with the main structural supports moved to the exterior or integrated into the panels. Common examples include composite plate walls made of galvanized steel skins with a plastic core (such as Wabash’s DuraPlate panels introduced in the mid-1990s). The result is a smooth interior with no wood lining or vertical posts sticking out. Plates are often ~48 inches wide panels joined together, sometimes with a recessed logistic post at the seams for cargo tie-downs. The interior width is greater, around 100.5–101 inches, because you don’t lose space to interior posts. The outside of the trailer may show subtle vertical lines or external posts, but inside it’s flat.

Quick Reference Comparison

Durability & Lifespan

Standard dry vans (sheet-and-post) are known for robust structural strength due to the interior posts. They handle everyday impacts well: If a forklift or cargo hits the wall, the posts and plywood lining can absorb some impact, often with minimal damage. They are considered rugged and more resistant to “bowing out” under heavy loads. 

A well-maintained sheet-and-post dry van can have a long service life, running 15+ years if cared for, since the design has been refined for durability. Also, because they’ve been around longer, older used dry vans in this style are easier to find and still functional. 

Plate Trailers, with thinner walls, sometimes have a reputation for being less structurally robust in the long run. The walls can flex outward (“bow out”) if consistently over-stressed. Some industry professionals note that plate trailers may not last as long under heavy use. This isn’t to say plate trailers are fragile — many are built to handle heavy duty cycles — but the lack of multiple interior posts means the wall’s strength depends on the integrity of the plate material and its attachments. 

Manufacturers have improved plate trailer durability over the years, introducing reinforced composite materials and better designs (e.g., Wabash DuraPlate innovations to reduce weight while maintaining strength). High-quality plate trailers today often feature reinforced bulkheads, steel scuff plates, and impact-resistant liners to extend their lifespan. Some fleets even spec steel floors and heavier cross members in plate trailers to increase durability for heavy cargo (though this adds weight). 

Bottom line on durability

For everyday general freight and situations with rough loading practices, standard dry vans (sheet-and-post) have a slight edge in withstanding abuse. Plate trailers are durable for heavy loads too (especially modern composites), but they must be treated with care to avoid damaging the thin walls. Heavy repetitive loading (especially at the sides) is where plate trailers can lose a few points. They excel more in providing volume than brute strength.

Weight Considerations

Trailer weight impacts how much cargo you can carry (payload) and fuel efficiency. Here’s how plate vs. dry van compares:

Standard dry vans are generally lighter for the same size, compared to plate trailers. The traditional construction uses aluminum skins and some wood, which is relatively light. Also, having slightly less material (because interior width is smaller) can mean a lighter trailer. Sheet-and-post trailers are usually lighter, allowing a bit more cargo weight before hitting gross weight limits. For example, if a sheet-and-post 53’ trailer weighs a few hundred pounds less than a composite plate trailer, that’s a few hundred more pounds of freight you can legally load.

Plate trailers tend to be heavier by a few hundred pounds. The composite panels (steel + plastic core, or aluminum plate) add weight in exchange for more strength and width. Newer designs aim to reduce this gap (for instance, Wabash’s DuraPlate Cell Core tech saved ~300 lbs on a 53’ trailer by using a lighter core material). Still, a composite plate dry van might weigh slightly more than an equivalent sheet-and-post trailer. The weight difference isn’t enormous, but it can affect fuel economy and payload (plate trailers also often have higher tare weight due to heavier duty specs).

Bottom line on weight

For fleet managers, this means if you haul weight-sensitive loads (where you max out at ~45,000 lbs cargo before volume), a lighter trailer could be advantageous. If you haul high-cube (voluminous but not heavy) freight, the extra interior space of a plate trailer is more valuable than a few hundred pounds of trailer weight.

Maintenance & Repair

One big advantage of sheet-and-post trailers is ease of repair. If a section of the wall gets damaged (say a forklift punctures the interior plywood or dents the exterior), you can often replace or repair that section without rebuilding the entire wall. The design has modular components — that is, individual panels or posts can be swapped out. Many trailer repair shops are very familiar with these, and parts are readily available, especially for popular models like Utility, Great Dane, Hyundai, Stoughton, etc.). 

Also, since standard dry vans have been the norm for decades, finding used parts or experienced technicians is straightforward. Maintenance tasks like fixing leaks, replacing a logistics post, or reinforcing a section tend to be simpler.

Plate trailers can be more expensive to repair if the wall is damaged. Because the wall is essentially one large composite panel (or a few large panels), a significant puncture or crack might require a patch or replacement of a big section. The composite material itself can be tough to dent (that’s a pro), but if damaged, it’s not as simple as unscrewing a plywood sheet. 

Some composite panels (like older DuraPlate) needed specialized repair techniques or panel replacement, which can cost more. Also, plate trailers often have fewer interior seams, so adding custom fixtures or repairs requires working with the composite structure.

That said, plate trailers have fewer nooks and crannies (no interior posts to rust or hold moisture, no plywood to rot), so some maintenance is actually easier. For example, cleaning is easier (just wipe the smooth walls, nothing to chip off), which can be especially important for food-grade haulers who must maintain sanitary trailers. Plate trailers also eliminate concerns of replacing interior plywood lining due to odor, mold, or contamination since there usually isn’t wood inside.

Bottom line on maintenance

In summary, sheet-and-post dry vans are known for easier repairs and potentially lower maintenance costs over time. Plate trailers may cost a bit more to fix when damaged but offer other maintenance benefits (no wood to replace, easy cleaning).

Cost (Purchase Price & Resale)

When deciding between a plate trailer and a standard dry van, cost is a big factor. Costs include upfront purchase price (or lease rates) and long-term value (resale, lifespan):

Plate trailers often come at a premium price compared to basic sheet-and-post dry vans. The materials (composite panels, special manufacturing) and the fact that plate trailers are sometimes seen as “premium spec” for large fleets can drive the price up. A new plate trailer might be several hundred to a few thousand dollars more than a similar spec sheet-and-post. 

Dry vans with sheet-and-post construction are widely produced, often in more cost-effective configurations, making them generally more affordable to purchase or lease.

Resale value varies. Some large fleets spec only plate trailers, so there’s demand in the used market for plate trailers about 5–7 years old, especially from buyers who haul high-cube freight. However, because plate trailers might not last much beyond ten years in heavy service (according to some operators), their resale at older ages could drop off. Standard dry vans, if in good shape, have a steady used market (small fleets, storage trailers, etc.). Also, unique specs (like all-metal floors in plate trailers, or specific logos on composite walls) could reduce the resale pool.

If the plate trailer allows you to take loads you otherwise couldn’t (because of shipper requirements or interior volume), the revenue can offset the higher cost. For instance, many large shippers require plate trailers for certain loads. If you want those contracts, you may need a plate trailer. Having a plate trailer could mean access to higher-paying freight (e.g., lightweight, high-volume goods, or food-grade loads). On the flip side, if your freight doesn’t need it, a less expensive dry van might yield a better return.

Bottom line on cost

In general, dry vans (sheet-and-post) are cheaper initially and cost-effective for general use, whereas plate trailers are an investment when you have specific needs (extra width, smooth walls) that will earn back the cost. Be sure to evaluate your primary freight lanes and customer requirements before paying a premium.

Get the Plate or Dry Van Trailer You Need with Hale

At Hale Trailer, we’re proud to carry a variety of plate vans and standard dry vans across all our locations.

• New plate vans
• New dry vans
• Used dry vans
• Dry van rentals

Our trailer professionals are available to help you sort through your options so that you can get the best trailer for your hauling needs.