Drop Trailer

Drop trailer (also called “drop and hook”) is a logistics arrangement where a carrier drops off an empty trailer at a shipper’s facility to be loaded, then returns later to pick up the loaded trailer. This eliminates driver wait time during loading/unloading.

How Drop Trailer Works

Basic Process

Day 1:
Driver arrives → Drops empty trailer → Leaves

Loading (no driver waiting):
Warehouse loads at their pace
Can take hours or days

Day 2 (or later):
Different driver arrives
Hooks up loaded trailer → Departs

Traditional vs. Drop Trailer

Live Load (Traditional):
Driver arrives → Waits 2-4 hours → Leaves
Driver time: 4+ hours

Drop Trailer:
Driver 1 arrives → Drops in 15 min → Leaves
Driver 2 arrives → Hooks in 15 min → Leaves
Total driver time: 30 minutes

Benefits of Drop Trailer

For Shippers

For Carriers

Drop Trailer Programs

Types

Pool Size Calculation

Factors:
- Average loading time: 2 days
- Shipments per week: 5
- Buffer: 20%

Minimum pool: 5 × 2 × 1.2 = 12 trailers

Drop Trailer Costs

Fee Structures

Example Pricing

Drop fee: $75
Free time: 48 hours
After free time: $50/day

Scenario:
Drop Monday 8 AM
Pickup Wednesday 4 PM (56 hours)

Cost: $75 + $50 = $125

Drop Trailer Requirements

Facility Requirements

• Adequate trailer parking
• Dock door access
• Security measures
• Equipment to move trailers

Operational Requirements

• Reliable loading schedule
• Communication with carrier
• Tracking loaded/empty status
• Return coordination

Drop Trailer vs. Live Load

When to Use Drop Trailer

Ideal Scenarios

• Long loading/unloading times (4+ hours)
• High volume shipping
• Variable loading times
• Limited dock capacity
• After-hours operations

Not Ideal When

• Fast turnaround possible (<2 hours)
• Limited yard space
• Infrequent shipments
• Short distances (driver can wait)

Drop Trailer Programs by Carrier

Major Carriers

Requirements

• Volume commitments
• Credit approval
• Facility inspection
• Insurance requirements

Managing Drop Trailers

Tracking

Trailer pool status:
┌───────────┬─────────┬───────────┐
│ Trailer # │ Status  │ Days Here │
├───────────┼─────────┼───────────┤
│ TR-001    │ Loading │ 1         │
│ TR-002    │ Ready   │ 2         │
│ TR-003    │ Empty   │ 0         │
│ TR-004    │ Loading │ 1         │
└───────────┴─────────┴───────────┘

Best Practices

1. Track all trailers daily
2. Meet loading deadlines
3. Communicate delays
4. Request pickups on time
5. Monitor charges

Drop Trailer Challenges

Common Issues

Avoiding Extra Charges

• Load within free time
• Request pickup promptly
• Track all trailers
• Communicate delays
• Review invoices

Implementing Drop Trailer

Getting Started

1. Analyze loading times
2. Calculate potential savings
3. Negotiate with carriers
4. Set up yard procedures
5. Train staff
6. Monitor performance