So you can find a lot of loads without your own trailer?

Presumably it's a gig hauling for Amazon, who's been observed acquiring lots of trailers with their branding on the side. I've seen a few in some Amazon locations we deliver to, but never seen one on the road.

Or I could be completely wrong. It happens a lot, just ask my wife.

 

I was just telling a friend of mine today that I say a lot of small companies I've never seen before, hauling amazon trailers in Indiana

 

If you have a grungy trailer in rough condition that no one would think to steal,.. I could see leaving it somewhere.

I happen to like my trailer,.. a lot. And I'd like to keep it in nice condition and not worry about things being stolen out of my boxes, or wheels and parts that magically grew legs. Its like leaving a Corvette at a walmart parking lot for a week. Door dings/chipped paint would be the least of my concerns. Some people would be ok with that. Not me.

Hurst

 

I pulled a power only load a couple of weeks ago from Md. to Boston and back. Had to take all my securement from my boxes, leave my trailer at their "drop yard" 15 miles away, then secure the load and run. Then reversed the order on the way back. Paid pretty good, but was kinda a PIA as well.

Not sure I'd do it again unless other freight was slow. But like @Hurst I certainly wouldn't leave my trailer at some random truck stop.

 

Schneider logistics ( not the SNI lease side ) has a power only program. under your own authority, you pull a schneider trailer. From what I understand, it is not a well known option and not a lot of loads.

 

Yeah they're changing how they cover the loads and cutting costs there. The shipping revenue one of their loaded 53' dry vans makes probably puts 2 LTL pup trailers to shame by a long shot. As far as the rates to trucks they are offering up direct it's like someone said the other day ago, about as impressive as container rates. They're trying to lock in a bunch of cheap carriers with promises of steady work and light loads. A person is still better off booking those loads thru brokers and even then only when there is a real demand for the trucks.

With every passing year Amazon freight gets less and less appealing. They're such a headache to deal with loads cancelling at the guard shack on arrival, or several hours wait time on "hot" loads that were supposed to be ready. They get worse every year and not worth the trouble unless you cover your bases really well with a decent TONU (not $150!) and detention spelled out (significantly higher than the joke of $35 an hour). That weeds out anyone who isn't serious to move an Amazon load fairly quickly.

 

I considered doing some tow-away/power-only, 2 problems came up my insurance company wanted a contract from the company that I would be hauling for and to me the money just isn't there imo, unless it is a load out. I prefer dragging my own trailers. Not to mention, you never know what kind of condition that trailer is going to be in or how long it will take who ever to fix it because the clown pulling it before you didn't care about getting dinged for it.

 

As far as the equipment side. If it is junk, and gets put out of service. Who gets the points on the saftey rating.
Just something else to consider.

A lot can happen in route after the pre trip,
Lighs wheel seals etc.

 

If it's hooked to your truck and your pulling it with your DOT number displayed the points are against you and your company.

 

Yeah, if you're okay with the possibility of it sitting on cinder blocks with wheels and tires missing when you got back to it, lol