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Tractor Trailer Fleet Balance - One Way Trailer Moves
August 20, 2007

Over the years semi trailer equipment balance has become an ever increasing part of fleet and service optimization. Having tractor trailers in the right location at the right time has become critical to maintaining an effectively optimized semi trailer fleet.

Enter the tractor trailer mover or tractor trailer "relocator". Trailer relocation companies are specifically in the business of being paid to move empty (owned or rented) semi trailer from one location to another and to do it quickly and without hassles. They may arrange for the semi trailer to be moved loaded or unloaded depending upon how fast it needs to get to it's destination, what traffic lanes it will need to move through and what type of semi trailer or tractor trailer it is. Moving it loaded (or "loaded out") is usually the least expensive way to move semi trailers, but usually takes longer to arrive at the destination than "drive away" tractor trailer relocation services. Those services require a per mile charge and move the semi trailer empty.

The following is a brief description of the main segments of the tractor trailer relocation segment of the transportation industry:

"Tow away" or "drive away" - Using this method the owner of the trailer pays a contractor an agreed upon amount to move the trailer from one place to another, empty. Typically new equipment, time sensitive moves, and high value trailers are moved this way. While most expensive, it is also the most reliable.

Load out - This method utilizes the owners trailer with another companies freight which is put on the trailer and delivered on the way to the trailers final destination. Generally a third party company arranges with the trailer owner and motor carrier and takes a commission for their services. Freight companies with fleet balance issues utilize this method to balance their fleets. Also, it helps for seasonal needs such as harvest time when much more freight flows from one are of the country to another.

Matching - When a company has purchase or is selling trucks, it is common for hose trucks to be resold in another part of the country where demand is higher. Dealers will often hook a purchased truck up to a trailer and relocate it to save the wear and tear on the truck and drive of bobtailing across the country. While many trucks are piggybacked on top of each other and moved many also are used in the matching scenario as described above.

The internet has allowed many companies top take advantage of trailer relocation through a number of electronic matching services that now exist. As with load matching, they post the trailers that need to be moved and a prospective mover then reads it on a board and chooses to take a particular trailer. This allows more prospects to see the trailers to be moved and match with possible other fleet imbalances.

There are a number of companies whose sole business is now moving equipment for others. Since the time sensitivity of these moves is often part of the equation, the rate to haul an empty trailer from point A to B in a tow away scenario may pay more than the cost to shipper to move a full load of product between the same two points. Who says you can't make a living hauling air?

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