A drop trailer service is an arrangement where a truck driver leaves a trailer at a designated location, typically at a shipper's facility. This allows for the unloading or loading of the trailer at the convenience of the receiver. The driver can drop off the trailer and pick up a pre-loaded trailer at a scheduled time which enhances flexibility in scheduling, reduces wait times for drivers, and contributes to a more efficient and streamlined supply chain process.
Drop trailer shipping expedites the transportation process and alleviates pressures on drivers. According to the FMCSA, drivers are limited to 11 hours on the road per day. By leaving the trailer for later handling by the shipper, drivers avoid the risk of missing drop-off appointments or violating mandatory break regulations. A seamless operation allows another driver to pick up the trailer promptly, ensuring a continuous shipping process for faster and more precise delivery times.
This convenience extends to warehouse workers, who can load and unload trailers without concerns about understaffing or overtime. Streamlining this stage of the supply chain has a cascading effect, reducing shipping costs for time-sensitive orders.
Drop trailer shipping also enhances a customer's supply chain capacity. Trailers serve as additional storage, enabling companies to scale up freight movement without the typical costs associated with expanding storage infrastructure.
Choosing to be part of a drop trailer program can make your supply chain smoother and be a helpful solution for customers, carriers, and shippers. Our friendly team at EXL Logistics is here to assist with all your shipping needs—feel free to reach out for a quote today!
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.