Being held hostage at reciever, 4 days now.

Not much to do but charge detention. Is it a drop trailer or do you have a driver sitting with it? If it’s a drop trailer I’m not too sure myself about being able to charge detention.

 

About all you can do is try to get extra money out of the broker but it probably won't happen. Drop trailer loads are high risk for a guy with only one trailer. Now you know better than to take those. I have heard horror stories of trailers taking weeks to get empty. I hope you get it back soon.

 

Never take drop trailer loads unless you make broker put ridiculous fee like $2000 per day trailer isn't released beyond agreed time frame.

If broker refuses then you tell broker okay you refusing tells me all I need to you.
You don't have confidence in this customer so neither should I. Bye

 

I would call the police and report the trailer stolen. The contract states 24-48 hours not "when ever".

Good luck.

 

What does the contract say with the broker?

This is more important than the one the broker has with the customer.

Are there any written communications about the time of the use of the trailer?

In the future, do not agree to a trailer drop, just unload or refuse the work.

 

I would go get the trailer and put the load in storage and let the receiver/broker pay to get it out.

 

I think just telling them you are going to do that might expedite matters some. This, is one of the downfalls of trucking, and it happens. You are their warehouse, reefer, even worse. 4 days is a bit much, I wouldn't wait 2. We've all been there, and best advice, simply be more careful when booking loads.

 

Email the broker, per the rate con, that you are on your way to the customer to retrieve your property. Make sure that you have proof of ownership for the trailer.

 

...I would recover double of your dedicated load from receiver holding trailer