Power Only Dispatch Service for Owner-Operators

What our power only dispatchers handle

Power only means you bring the tractor and hook to someone else's trailer. No trailer payment, no trailer repairs, and a lot of drop and hook freight. The catch is that you depend on trailer pools and programs being near you, and on carrying the right insurance. Your dispatcher handles both.

• Load sourcing from broker trailer pools and shipper drop programs within reach of your home base.
• Rate negotiation on every load. Power only often runs a little under van rates, so the negotiation matters.
• Program setup with brokers that run trailer pools, including the insurance certificates they ask for. Every broker is checked first, the same way we explain in how to check a broker.
• Trailer issues handled. If an assigned trailer has a problem, we work it out with the broker so you're not stuck.
• Broker vetting before every booking.
• Detention and TONU recovered from the broker when you're held or a load cancels.

Power only at a glance

How power only programs work

Most power only freight comes through brokers that keep pools of trailers at shipper locations, or through shippers that drop loaded trailers for pickup. You show up, hook, check the trailer, and go. At the receiver, you drop the loaded trailer and often pick up an empty or another loaded one.

The insurance most programs ask for

Because you're pulling a trailer you don't own, most power only programs require trailer interchange coverage (for trailers you pull under an interchange agreement) or non-owned trailer coverage.

That's on top of your auto liability and cargo insurance. Ask your insurer which one fits the programs you want to run, and get the limits in writing. We'll tell you what each broker asks for before we set you up.

Check every trailer before you pull it

A pool trailer is new to you every time. Walk around it, check lights, tires, brakes and the seal, and photograph anything damaged before you leave the yard. If something's wrong, call your dispatcher before you hook. We'll get the broker to swap it or document it so it's not charged to you later.

TWIC: only for ports

A TWIC card from the TSA is required for unescorted access to secure areas of port terminals. If you won't pull containers out of a port, you don't need one to run power only.

Is power only right for you?

Power only fits some owner-operators better than others. It tends to work well if:

• You don't want a trailer payment, or you're between trailers
• You live near shippers or distribution centers that run trailer pools
• You like drop and hook, which usually means shorter waits at docks
• You're comfortable inspecting a different trailer on every load

It's a harder fit if the nearest trailer pools are hours away, or if you want to choose your own freight type. Talk it through with a dispatcher before you sell your trailer, or compare power only with the other five equipment types.

Why power only owner-operators choose us

Where power only freight is strongest

Power only works best where big warehouses run drop trailer programs. These markets have plenty of them:

• Ohio: trailer pools at the large distribution centers around Columbus and along I-75.
• Tennessee: drop trailer programs at the Memphis warehouses and in Middle Tennessee.
• Kentucky: trailer moves at the warehouse campuses around Louisville and Northern Kentucky.
• New Jersey: drop and hook at the Turnpike warehouses near Exit 8A and Exit 12.

How power only dispatch works with us

1. Send your docs. MC authority, insurance certificate showing your trailer coverage, W-9, voided check and the signed dispatch agreement.
2. Get matched. We learn your tractor, home base and the programs you're already set up with.
3. Loads get booked. We match you to trailer pools near your home base and send each rate confirmation for your OK.
4. You haul and get paid. The broker pays you or your factor directly.

Here's everything you need for carrier setup.

Many power only carriers end up pulling van trailers most of the time. If that's you, our dry van dispatch page covers how we plan van lanes and backhauls. New to it? Read what power only trucking is and how to get approved.

What power only dispatch costs

A flat 6% of the gross. On a load that pays $2,500 in total, our fee is $150. See power only pricing and what's included, or see why owner-operators stay with one dispatcher.