Drop-and-hook efficiency demands fast decisions. Power only loads post and close quickly — the carrier who responds first and knows their true net rate wins the lane. DispatchOS AI scores opportunities in real time so you never leave a good load on the table.
What Is Power Only Trucking?
Power only means the carrier provides only the tractor — no trailer. They hook to a customer-provided or pre-positioned trailer, move it to the destination, and drop it without waiting for loading or unloading. This drop-and-hook model is common for large shippers (retail distribution centers, automotive plants) who own large trailer fleets and need carriers to reposition them.
The power only advantage: no loading/unloading wait time means faster cycle times, more loads per week, and higher driver utilization. The tradeoff is a lower gross rate per mile compared to dry van, since the carrier bears less freight liability and less dock time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is power only trucking?
Power only trucking means the carrier provides only the tractor (truck cab) without a trailer. The carrier hooks to a customer-provided trailer, moves it to the destination, and drops it — no loading or unloading. This is common for large shippers with their own trailer fleets who need tractors to reposition trailers between locations.
What is a good rate for power only loads?
Power only loads generally pay $1.50–$2.50/mile gross, with a net target of $1.00–$1.40/mile. Rates are lower than dry van because the carrier has no freight liability and no loading/unloading time — but the faster cycle time means more loads per week, so total weekly revenue can match or exceed dry van operations.
Do power only carriers need their own trailer?
No — that's the defining feature of power only. The carrier provides only the tractor. The trailer is supplied by the shipper, the broker, or it's already pre-positioned at the origin. This is why power only carriers have lower upfront equipment costs than full truckload carriers — no trailer financing, no trailer maintenance, no trailer registration.
How do I find power only loads?
Power only loads are listed on major load boards (DAT, Truckstop/ITS) filtered by equipment type "Power Only" or "Drop and Hook." Many power only operations also develop direct relationships with shippers who have consistent trailer repositioning needs — these dedicated lane agreements provide predictable volume and avoid load board competition.
What documents are needed for power only loads?
For a standard power only load: a trailer interchange agreement or equipment interchange receipt (EIR) documenting the trailer's condition when hooked, a BOL if freight is being moved, and a drop confirmation at the destination. Some shippers require a separate trailer seal log. Unlike live load/unload freight, there's typically no receiver-signed POD — which means invoice disputes can be harder to resolve, making a well-documented EIR critical.