Power-Only vs Traditional Trucking

By Brooke Hughes

When it comes to shipping freight, it’s essential to understand all available options so the experience is hassle-free and secure. Two prominent freight industry models — power-only trucking and traditional trucking—can be utilized to ship cargo.?

Power-only trucking is a service where a carrier provides just the tractor and the driver while the customer provides the trailer. In contrast, in traditional trucking, the carrier offers an end-to-end service to transport the shipper’s goods.?

Comparing their benefits and challenges and fully understanding how they operate can help make an informed decision regarding the best option for shipping cargo, which is essential for navigating the road ahead.?

Traditional Trucking Overview?

Traditional trucking is a method that shippers can use when they do not own a trailer. A carrier provides their own truck and trailers, and is responsible for the entire process from pick-up to drop-off. The only step the shipper has to take is to package their freight and have it at a pickup spot ready to be loaded.

Traditional trucking offers a wide range of services for various industries. The services include full-truckload (TL), less-than-truckload (LTL), and specialized cargo are among the most common.

Understanding Power-Only Trucking

People not in the logistics and freight industry may not be aware of power-only trucking. It’s an accommodating alternative for shippers who have their own trailers and want to utilize them to save on costs.?

The driver will hook up the trailer, haul it to its destination, and then unhook it. Trailers can either be leased separately or owned by the shipper. This method of trucking is often used for specific shipping needs.

Benefits of Power-Only Trucking

Power-only trucking has many benefits, making it an ideal choice for some shippers.?

• Carriers that offer power-only trucking can haul multiple types of trailers, including flatbed and open deck trailers, dry vans, and refrigerated trailers.?
• Customers who own a trailer have more flexibility regarding power-only trucking. This method allows for drop and hook operations, where trailers can be loaded and unloaded without the tractor and driver waiting. This can speed up the process and improve the efficiency of the shipper’s operations.?
• Power-only trucking can also contribute to cost savings. A company can use its own trailer to focus its resources on other aspects of its operations. This trucking method also reduces reliability; companies can transfer some liability and risk associated with the operation to the carrier.?

Challenges of Power-Only Trucking

Although power-only trucking can benefit those who use it, it also poses some challenges.

• The company that owns the trailer must keep it in prime condition by maintaining and servicing it when necessary. If a driver isn’t confident in the condition of the trailer they are hauling, they may refuse altogether, which can cause costly delays for the customer.?
• Another aspect that can cause delays is synchronization issues. Ensuring that the tractor and trailer are available simultaneously and in place can be challenging in power-only trucking. Driver shortages can impact the availability of power units for those who need them.?
• Rates for power-only trucking can be volatile because they are influenced by factors such as fuel prices, market demands, and seasonal fluctuations. A company must know when they would utilize power-only trucking so that they can consider the potential cost.

Comparing Power-Only and Traditional Trucking

Which method is better, power-only or traditional trucking? It depends on the specific needs of the company shipping freight. Power-only can be more cost-effective for shippers who already own trailers. However, it does pose a higher risk and liability than traditional trucking.?

Since the shipper owns the trailer, if anything goes awry during transport, the shipper and the carrier share liability. Typically, the carrier is responsible for the driver and the power unit, while the shipper is responsible for the trailer and cargo.?

However, liability issues can be complex regarding accidents or violations in certain situations. With the traditional trucking method, liability falls solely on the carrier since they own the entire unit.?

Another factor to consider is that power-only trucking requires more elaborate coordination between the carrier and customer to ensure compatibility and availability between the tractor and trailer. With traditional trucking, the customer and carrier only need to coordinate scheduling for pick-up and delivery of the freight.

Both power-only and traditional trucking offer distinct advantages modified to different needs within the transportation industry. While traditional trucking remains the most popular method, power-only trucking is an excellent option for companies looking for more flexibility. Although both are efficient transportation options, the choice ultimately depends on the shipper’s specific logistical needs and operational priorities.