What heated dry van service actually is
Heated dry van service keeps a trailer above a minimum temperature during transit — typically enough to prevent freezing — without the full active cooling range of a reefer unit. It's a middle option between standard dry van and full temperature-controlled reefer, built for freight that doesn't need to be kept cold or frozen but genuinely can't be allowed to freeze on a winter run.
Because it doesn't require the same equipment and monitoring as a full reefer setup, heated service typically costs less — making it the right call for freight that only needs protection from one end of the temperature range.
What kind of freight needs it
Paints, coatings, and adhesives are the classic example — many lose their properties or separate permanently if they freeze, even though they're perfectly fine in normal or warm conditions. Beverages, canned and bottled goods, certain cosmetics, some electronics, and building products like caulking and sealants carry the same risk.
If a product's label or spec sheet says 'do not allow to freeze' or lists a minimum storage temperature, that's the signal to ask about heated service rather than defaulting to either standard dry van or full reefer.
Winter planning across Canada
From roughly November through April, freeze risk is real on almost every Canadian lane, and it's most acute on long-haul routes through Northern Ontario, the Prairies, and Quebec where a trailer can sit at sub-zero temperatures for a full day or more in transit. Booking heated service ahead of a cold snap — rather than after freight arrives damaged — is the difference between a routine shipment and a claim.
If you ship the same freeze-sensitive product regularly through the winter months, it's worth flagging that at the start of the season so every booking defaults to heated service automatically.
Booking heated dry van
Tell us what you're shipping and the minimum temperature it can tolerate, and we'll confirm whether heated dry van or full reefer is the right (and most cost-effective) equipment for your lane and season.
Ready to price your next load? Request a free estimate and a Shipmate specialist will respond with exact rates during business hours, or call (905) 508-6632.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between heated dry van and reefer?
Heated dry van keeps a trailer above a minimum temperature to prevent freezing. Reefer actively controls temperature across a full range — cooling, freezing, or heating — throughout transit. Heated service is typically less expensive and is the right fit when freight only needs freeze protection.
What products typically need heated shipping?
Paints, adhesives, coatings, beverages, canned and bottled goods, some cosmetics and electronics, and building products like caulking and sealants are common examples — anything with a 'do not allow to freeze' warning or a minimum storage temperature.
When should I book heated service instead of standard dry van?
Any time your freight is shipping through winter conditions — roughly November through April in most of Canada — and the product can be damaged by freezing. Long-haul lanes through Northern Ontario, the Prairies, and Quebec carry the highest freeze risk.