Choosing the right transportation option for your freight can be tough. You need a solution that keeps costs low and efficiency high. That’s where power only trucking can help. This shipping option will give you more control without the hassle of running your own fleet of trucks. Before you decide if it’s right for you, here’s what you need to know.
Key takeaways:
With the basics out of the way, let’s take a closer look at what power only trucking has to offer.
Power only trucking is when the carrier provides a semi and driver, while the shipper supplies the trailer and cargo that needs to be transported. It’s a great solution for businesses that have a fleet of trailers, but don’t have the trucks or drivers to move them all.
Shippers will provide the following information:
When you decide to use power only trucking, make sure your trailer is in a position where a driver can easily back in and hook up. When the trucker arrives, you’ll have to provide domestic shipping documents like a Bill of Lading (BoL), freight bill, and packing list.
After the trailer has been attached and the driver receives all essential documentation, transportation can begin.
Like other forms of truckload shipping, power only freight rates vary based on factors like distance, urgency, and market demand. Since this form of trucking can be used for different trailers, we’ve provided data on the per mile rate for the most common ones.
Shippers can expect power only freight rates for flatbeds and reefers to be more expensive than dry van transport due to the added risk and skill involved. Keep in mind, these rates will fluctuate from week to week and regionally. Be sure to check them before booking a power only trucking load.
Related: How To Negotiate Freight Rates
You don’t want to be constrained to one way of shipping freight because it limits your flexibility in terms of budget and customer offerings. Fortunately, there are many benefits to be reaped when using power only loads as an option to transport cargo.
Power only trucking lets you focus on other areas of your operations. Managing a fleet of trucks and trailers involves completing numerous administrative tasks.
This includes:
Power only trucking removes many of these responsibilities. As a result, you only need to load your trailers and scheduling a pick time.
The remaining time you would spend on the administrative tasks associated with managing a fleet of trucks can now be redirected to other areas of your business.
Another benefit of power only truck loads is that it evenly divides control over the cargo between the customer and the carrier. Many shippers take issue with how transportation companies handle their freight.
With power only trucking, you can manage your trailer and freight any way you wish. You can load cargo using your own workers, equipment, and methods. Carriers have to care for the trailer during transport, but they don’t have to worry about loading your freight.
As far as unloading, that tends to be the responsibility of the receiver, which would exclude the original shipper from damages during the unloading process.
Power only trucking provides businesses with a cost-effective transportation option. The service eliminates the need for a company to own trucks.
Fleets of tractors can be expensive for a variety of reasons. Businesses not only have to purchase these vehicles, but they’ll need to maintain and refuel them as well. While trailers do need routine maintenance, it’s considerably easier and cheaper to manage.
Shippers can use power only trucking logistics for a variety of different trailers. This gives you flexibility in the type of freight you can ship.
Trailers you can use include:
The same flexibility applies to timelines. Since companies that utilize power only trucking have their own trailers, they can simply load cargo at their discretion. They can schedule a transportation provider whenever they’re ready without having to factor load time into the pickup.
Of course, it is best to make sure that a driver will be available for the pickup, especially when the freight may be fragile or perishable.
Companies that have their own fleet of trucks and trailers must ensure they always have enough drivers on hand to transport their freight. If there’s a shortage of drivers, it can negatively impact their operational efficiency.
Power only trucking provides more reliability for your business. Instead of relying on your own truckers and hoping you have enough to meet your needs, you choose amongst a variety of carriers to provide you with a driver and semi. This can allow you to scale up or down during demand changes throughout the year.
Despite the benefits that can be reaped when shippers use power only trucking, there are a number of downsides they may encounter as well. You should review these factors carefully before using it in your operations.
Though you won’t need to maintain trucks, you’ll be responsible for maintaining the wellbeing of your trailers. To be fair, performing upkeep for trailers is much cheaper than taking care of semi trucks. That said, you’ll still be spending money on your equipment to ensure it remains roadworthy.
Trailers parts that require regular maintenance include:
Refrigerated trailers have additional operational costs. Reefers come with a refrigeration unit to keep the interior cool. This will require continual maintenance to ensure it functions correctly.
You’ll also need to maintain accurate documentation of trailer inspections and repairs to comply with local Department of Transportation (DOT) regulatory requirements. Failure to meet these standards can lead to delays, fines, or other complications, emphasizing the importance of meticulous record-keeping.
Despite power only’s capacity to be being flexible, urgent shipments can be expensive. Transportation companies need at least 24 to 72 hours to find a driver to haul a trailer. These wait times can be even longer during peak season.
Carriers may charge a premium for prioritizing and expediting the transportation process to meet tight deadlines. This is due to the added effort and resources required for time-sensitive deliveries.
Another downside of power only shipping is that it can result in deadhead miles. This method of transportation is good for pickups and drop-offs. However, it’s not great for moving trailers back to the point of origin, as they will often be empty.
This can be a money drain on both the shipper and the driver, who may refuse to make the delivery unless a substantial fee is paid.
Unloaded trailers will rack up deadhead miles for businesses. To circumvent this problem, make sure there is a shipment of freight that can fill your trailer before it comes back to the point of origin.
Power only shipping and regular truckload transportation are vastly different from one another, even if the intent is the same. You should understand how they vary to determine which one is best for your business operations.
Differences between the two include:
Shippers that use power only services are responsible for their trailer, while carriers only need to worry about their vehicles and drivers. For regular truckload services, the transport provider is responsible for their driver, truck, and trailer.
The level of flexibility provided by the two services is different as well. With power only transportation, you’ll already have the trailer needed to move a unique load of cargo. You can also load your freight to your specifications.
Carriers, on the other hand, are limited by the equipment they have available. Additionally, a carrier will load your freight using their own methods. This can be problematic if you’re shipping fragile or sensitive cargo.
If you require refrigerated or oversized transport, you’ll need to find a carrier that provides the service. The scalability for each service is another distinct difference.
In terms of scalability, power only trucking is best suited for high volume shipments. Since you’ll be using your own trailers, using services like LTL or partial truckload shipping would be a waste. Regular truckload is a good option for various shipment volumes.
Businesses that have to move goods in bulk can simply use the entirety of a trailer. If a company has a smaller volume of cargo they need to transport, they can use less-than truckload (LTL) services.
USA Truckload can provide premier 3PL transportation services for your business. The experience and reliability of our carrier network will make your shipping operations smooth and efficient. We can help move a variety of cargo with our unique services.
These include:
USA Truckload is ready to be your reliable ally as you navigate the intricate landscape of logistics. Fill out your RFP today to get started with our services. You can also reach our team at (866) 353-7178 or on our contact page to learn more about what we can do for you.
R+L Global Logistics
315 NE 14th St., Ocala, FL 34470
