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Power only dispatch
No trailer payment, no trailer maintenance, no trailer insurance — and no trailer to hold freight in either. Power only is a trade, and it works when the volume is steady.
or $300/week flat
The market
You're selling availability, not capacity
Power only carriers pull shipper-owned or broker-owned trailers, usually inside drop-and-hook networks run by large brokers and 3PLs. The rate per mile is generally lower than pulling your own van, because you're not supplying the equipment. What you get back is time: pre-loaded trailers, no waiting at docks, and far more driving hours turned into paid miles.
The risk is concentration. Power only work tends to come from a small number of large programs, and when one changes its rates or its capacity plan, it moves your whole week. A carrier who is 100% dependent on a single program is exposed.
How we run power only
- Programs, not one-off loads. We get you approved into drop trailer networks so there is standing freight rather than a fresh search every morning.
- More than one program. We aim to have you set up with at least two so a change at one doesn't empty your week.
- Trailer condition documented. Photograph the trailer at hook and at drop. We log it. This is what protects you when damage is claimed on equipment you didn't own.
- Trailer interchange checked. Confirm your policy covers the trailer you're pulling before you hook to it. Some programs require a specific interchange limit.
- Mixed with your own trailer where useful. If you also own a van, we blend power only with regular freight when the numbers favour it.
Answers
Power only dispatch — questions
How much does power only dispatch cost?
6% of gross linehaul revenue, or $300 per truck per week flat — the same as dry van, because the coordination workload is similar once you're inside a drop trailer program.
Do I need trailer interchange insurance for power only?
Almost always, yes. When you pull a trailer you don't own, trailer interchange coverage is what responds if that trailer is damaged. Required limits vary by program, commonly starting around $20,000. Confirm the exact requirement with the program and your insurance agent before you hook.
Is power only worth less than pulling my own trailer?
The rate per mile is usually lower, but you have no trailer payment, no trailer maintenance and no trailer insurance, and you spend far less time waiting at docks. For many operators the net per week comes out similar or better. It depends on how much dock time you're currently losing.
Can I do power only and regular freight in the same week?
Yes, if you own a trailer as well. We'll blend them and take whichever pays better in the lane you're in. You're billed at one rate for the week either way.
Want to see what's moving in your lanes this week?
Send your MC number and your usual lanes. We'll pull live loads you could run and show you the rates before you commit to anything.