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$2.50 - $4.50+/mi

Power Only Dispatch Services

Expert power only dispatch services maximizing your tractor's earning potential at $2.50-$4.50+ per mile. Drop and hook efficiency, zero trailer costs.

Why Choose Expert Power Only Dispatch?

Power only dispatch lets you pull pre-loaded trailers without owning one. It's the most flexible way to haul freight — drop and hook means less waiting at docks and more miles per day. Our dispatchers find the best power only loads across the country.

01

No Trailer Costs

You don't need to own, maintain, or insure a trailer. Lower overhead means higher profit margins on every load.

02

Drop & Hook Efficiency

Most power only loads are drop-and-hook, meaning less dock time. You spend more time driving and earning instead of waiting for loading.

03

Maximum Flexibility

Pull dry vans today, reefer trailers tomorrow. Power only lets you adapt to market conditions without being locked into one trailer type.

04

Faster Turns

Drop-and-hook loads mean faster load cycles. More loads per week translates directly to more revenue per truck.

Rate Range

$2.50 - $4.50+

per mile

Avg: $3.00/mi|market average

Common Freight

  • Pre-loaded retail trailers
  • Intermodal container chassis
  • Distribution center transfers
  • Drop-and-hook retail freight
  • LTL trailer repositioning
  • Amazon & e-commerce trailers
  • Seasonal surge capacity
  • Trailer pool relocations

Top Lanes

  • Major retail DCs nationwide
  • Amazon fulfillment center networks
  • Intermodal ramps (rail-to-door)
  • Port drayage connections
  • Walmart & Target DC-to-store
  • FedEx & UPS hub transfers

How We Dispatch Power Only Freight

Our proven process for finding and booking premium power only loads.

01

Tractor Specs Review

We confirm your tractor's capabilities — fifth wheel height, GVWR, and any equipment restrictions.

02

Drop & Hook Load Search

We prioritize drop-and-hook loads from major shippers and DCs to maximize your loaded time.

03

Rate Optimization

Power only rates reflect lower operating costs. We negotiate rates that maximize your profit per mile.

04

Trailer Coordination

We verify trailer availability, condition, and location so you know exactly what you're hooking to.

What Is Power Only Dispatch?

Power only dispatch means we find loads where you just bring the tractor — the trailer is already loaded and waiting at the shipper's yard or an intermodal ramp. You hook up, haul, drop, and move on. No trailer maintenance, no tarping, no loading dock headaches. It's the fastest way to keep your truck moving because there's zero load/unload time. We dispatch power only runs for owner-operators who want maximum miles per day, and we know which shippers and brokers actually have trailers ready when they say they do — because nothing kills your day like showing up and the trailer isn't there.

Power Only Operations Guide

Insider knowledge for running power only freight efficiently and profitably.

01Trailer Pool Locations & Access

Major Trailer Pools

Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Costco maintain massive trailer pools at their DCs. You arrive, drop the loaded trailer, hook an empty (or pre-loaded outbound), and roll. Your dispatcher verifies trailer pool enrollment and yard location before booking.

Pool Registration

Some trailer pools require pre-registration and insurance certificates on file. Walmart's TPAS system, for instance, needs your MC number and insurance details loaded before you can access their trailers. We handle the registration paperwork to keep you pool-eligible.

Trailer Inspection on Hook

Always do a thorough pre-trip on someone else's trailer — check tires, lights, brakes, and the floor for damage. Document everything with photos before you leave the yard. This protects you from liability for pre-existing damage you did not cause.

02Chassis Management & Intermodal

Intermodal Chassis Pulls

At rail ramps like BNSF and Union Pacific, you hook a container chassis that's already loaded. The chassis is owned by the pool (DCLI, TRAC Intermodal, Flexi-Van), and you return it to the designated chassis depot after delivery. We verify chassis availability before dispatching.

Port Drayage Power Only

Port drayage at Long Beach, Savannah, or Newark means pulling loaded ocean containers from the port to nearby warehouses or transload facilities. Short runs (20-80 miles) but high turns — 3-4 pulls per day is normal, and daily revenue adds up fast.

Chassis Fees & Per Diem

Chassis pools charge daily rental fees ($15-$30/day) that the broker or shipper typically covers. We verify who is responsible for chassis fees before booking and make sure they are not coming out of your rate. If the broker tries to deduct chassis costs, we renegotiate.

03Intermodal & Relay Considerations

Amazon Relay Operations

Amazon Relay is one of the biggest power only programs in the country. Pre-loaded trailers at fulfillment centers, drop-and-hook at delivery, with loads booked through the Relay app. Pay is weekly and the volume is essentially unlimited during peak seasons.

Relay Load Planning

Relay-style freight (Walmart, Amazon, UPS) often runs as short-haul legs of 150-400 miles. The key to making money is stacking 3-4 relay loads per week with minimal deadhead between them. Your dispatcher builds multi-leg sequences rather than booking one-off runs.

Bobtail Positioning

The downside of power only is bobtailing (driving without a trailer) between drops and pickups. We minimize bobtail miles by pre-booking your next pickup before confirming the current drop. Every bobtail mile is a mile you are not earning.

Industries We Serve — Power Only Freight

We dispatch power only loads across these high-demand verticals.

Intermodal & Drayage

Container chassis pulls from BNSF and Union Pacific intermodal ramps, plus ocean container drayage from ports like Long Beach, Savannah, and Newark. Hook a pre-loaded 53ft container chassis, deliver to the DC or rail ramp, drop it, and grab the next one — high turns, solid daily revenue.

Retail Distribution (Pre-Loaded)

Walmart, Target, and Costco pre-load trailers at their DCs and need power only to shuttle them between distribution centers or to stores. Drop-and-hook at both ends — the fastest freight cycle in trucking. These shippers run like clockwork and the lanes are predictable.

Amazon & Walmart Relay

Amazon Relay and Walmart's private fleet overflow use power only drivers to move pre-loaded trailers between fulfillment centers. Short-to-medium haul relay runs — 200-500 miles — with fast turnaround. Amazon pays weekly via Relay and the volume is essentially unlimited.

Seasonal Overflow

Retailers and CPG companies like Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and PepsiCo stage extra pre-loaded trailers during peak seasons (back-to-school, holiday, Super Bowl). They need power only capacity to clear their yards — rates spike 15-30% and the freight is there if you want it.

Cross-Dock Operations

XPO, Ryder, and Echo Global run cross-dock facilities where freight gets consolidated and staged on outbound trailers. Power only drivers shuttle these pre-loaded trailers from cross-docks to final-mile distribution points — no touch freight, no lumpers, just drive.

Power Only Dispatch Challenges We Solve

Every equipment type has unique challenges. Here's how we handle them.

Trailer Availability

Power only loads depend on trailer availability at pickup. Our dispatchers verify trailer status before booking to prevent wasted trips to facilities with no available equipment.

Rate Perception

Some carriers assume power only pays less. While per-mile rates may be slightly lower, the eliminated trailer costs and faster turns often result in higher net profit per week.

Trailer Condition

You're pulling someone else's trailer. We verify trailer condition and report any pre-existing damage issues to protect you from claims on equipment you don't own.

Power Only Dispatch Pricing

Transparent rates. No hidden fees. No contracts.

Percentage Model
6%
of gross per load
Flat Rate
$250/week
per week flat rate
  • No setup fees
  • No contracts
  • Cancel anytime

Industry data from DAT Trendlines FMCSA BTS Freight Data

Power Only Dispatch FAQ

What is power only trucking?

Power only means you provide the tractor (power unit) and pull trailers owned by shippers, brokers, or carriers. You don't own or maintain the trailer — you just hook up, haul, and drop.

What rates do power only loads pay?

Power only loads typically range from $2.50-$4.50+ per mile. While per-mile rates may appear lower than loaded trailer rates, your net profit is often higher because you have zero trailer ownership, maintenance, or insurance costs.

Do I need my own trailer for power only dispatch?

No — that's the whole point. You only need a tractor with a valid fifth wheel. The trailer is provided at the pickup location. This makes power only the lowest-overhead way to haul freight.

Are power only loads always drop-and-hook?

Most are, which is a major advantage — less dock time means more driving time. Some loads may require live loading, but your dispatcher will always clarify before booking.

Can I run different trailer types with power only?

Yes. One of the biggest advantages of power only is flexibility. You might pull a dry van one day and a reefer trailer the next, adapting to whatever pays best in the current market.

How do you prevent fraud on power only loads?

Power only is a common target for scams — fake brokers post loads to steal your tractor or cargo. We verify every broker's FMCSA authority status, check their payment history, and confirm pickup locations are legitimate. If a load requires you to pick up from an unusual location or a broker is pressuring for immediate dispatch without paperwork, we walk away.

What insurance do I need for power only?

You need standard $1M auto liability, but since you do not own the trailer, you typically do not need trailer physical damage coverage. However, non-owned trailer coverage (aka trailer interchange insurance) is critical — it covers damage to trailers you are pulling that belong to someone else. Most brokers and trailer pools require it.

How does detention work on power only loads?

Detention on power only is less common because most loads are drop-and-hook with minimal dock time. When you do encounter live loads, standard detention of $50-$75/hour after 2 hours free time applies. We include detention provisions on every rate confirmation regardless of load type.

Can I run power only loads into Canada?

Yes. Cross-border power only into Canada means pulling a pre-loaded Canadian-bound trailer through customs. PAPS clearance must be filed before you arrive at the border, and the trailer owner handles the customs bond. We coordinate with the broker to ensure all paperwork is squared away so you are not sitting at the port of entry.

When is power only demand highest?

Power only peaks during Q4 holiday shipping when retailers and e-commerce companies pre-load thousands of extra trailers that need to move. Amazon Prime Day in July is another surge. These seasonal spikes push power only rates 15-25% above baseline, and the volume means you can run back-to-back loads all week.

Ready for Premium Power Only Loads?

Get matched with a dedicated power only dispatcher who knows the freight, the lanes, and how to maximize your revenue.

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