Under the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate, carriers need to keep drivers and equipment moving as efficiently as possible. As a result, companies that want to position themselves as “shippers of choice” are looking for ways to reduce loading and unloading times. For some, drop trailers are an effective option.

What is a Drop Trailer?

A drop trailer is a truck trailer that the driver leaves (or “drops”) at a shipper’s facility for unloading or loading at the receiver’s convenience. Either the original driver or another driver returns to pick up the trailer at a pre-arranged time.

This approach is helpful to carriers for two main reasons. First, without drop trailer capabilities, a carrier must arrive within a set appointment window for the warehouse employees to live-load the trailer. Given shrinking delivery windows, and mandatory rest breaks and other hours-of-service requirements set by the ELD mandate, drivers can easily miss that window.

Second, when carriers do make the delivery window, they’re often made to wait hours for unloading or loading. As a result, the driver loses valuable driving time or misses subsequent delivery windows with other customers. While carriers have traditionally charged shippers for such delays, penalties kick in only after a 2-hour grace period. And the fees don’t make up for lost revenue or loss of standing with other customers (Inbound Logistics).

When to Consider a Drop Trailer Program

Drop trailer programs tend to be most effective in operations where timing, space, and labor constraints create friction in traditional live-load environments. Shippers may benefit from drop trailers when:

  • Freight volume is predictable enough to support scheduled trailer positioning

  • Loading or unloading delays routinely interfere with appointment windows or driver availability

  • Yard congestion or dock constraints limit throughput during peak periods

  • Delivery schedules require flexibility outside of standard operating hours

  • Facilities have sufficient space to stage trailers safely and efficiently

Access Capstone’s Drop Trailer-Ready Network

Leveraging drop trailers can be an effective way to streamline your supply chain, reduce costs, and potentially improve relationships with carriers. With nearly 20 percent of our overall volume being drop trailer, our strong network is ready to help scale your capacity, even when you have very specific needs.