Can I Haul My Own Freight When Empty ...?

The Original Post was asking if it is legal. The correct answer is it depends. There is nothing illegal about carrying freight in the back of your trailer that belongs to the driver. You do not have to have a manifest because it is not being carried for commerce. You carry a flashlight in your cab, that is legal. If it was in your trailer that is legal also. But you may not charge anything for doing so. You may not charge your friends for carrying stuff for them.

Now the might be illegal part. If the company has a policy against it, then you are committing fraud. I think. But as you stated in your Original posting, you are legal. Doing the U-ship it stuff is not legal. That is stealing.

Is it done, yes. Should you, no. Legal doesn't mean they will not fire you.

Provided you do not have to go out of your way, most companies will allow you to do so. They cannot give you permission to detour as they deduct fuel cost from their taxes. One company I worked for hauled a pallet from New York to Kansas City for me at no charge. They only did it when they had available space but it got here in about 2 weeks.

 

Not just actual interstate drivers, or even just drivers. The clause can be applied to any employee.