Tractor-only service for shippers with their own trailers. Drop and hook programs, private fleet support, trailer repositioning, and on-demand tractor capacity — nationwide coverage with same-day quotes.
Power only is the simplest freight equation: you have a trailer that needs to move, we provide the tractor to move it. Whether you're running a drop trailer program, managing a private fleet, repositioning empties between distribution centers, or handling overflow with your own trailers, MyExpressFreight's power only network delivers reliable tractor capacity when and where you need it.
No wasted trailer capacity. No carrier trailer fees. Just a vetted, FMCSA-authorized tractor hooked to your trailer and moving — with real-time tracking and the same service standards we apply to every load in our network.
Power only moves follow a straightforward process — but getting the details right upfront prevents delays and unnecessary costs on move day.
Power only is not just for large fleets. Any shipper with a trailer that needs to move — loaded or empty — can benefit from on-demand tractor capacity.
Companies running their own trailer fleets use power only to supplement capacity during peak periods, cover driver shortages, and handle overflow volume without buying or leasing additional tractors. Your trailer moves on your timeline.
High-volume shippers running drop and hook arrangements use power only carriers to move trailers between loading points and distribution centers — decoupling freight loading from driver availability and eliminating detention at busy docks.
Moving empty trailers back to origin after delivery, repositioning chassis between ports and rail yards, or relocating trailers from low-volume lanes to high-demand locations. Power only handles the tractor work so your operations team handles the rest.
Large retailers and distribution center operators with trailer pools use power only to pull loaded trailers from supplier docks, reposition empties within the DC network, and handle inbound freight surges without adding carrier trailers to their yards.
Third-party logistics providers managing customer trailer fleets use power only to execute trailer movements on behalf of clients — especially in dedicated or managed transportation programs where the customer owns or leases the trailer assets.
Food manufacturers and distributors running temperature-controlled trailer pools use power only to move refrigerated trailers between plant locations, coolers, and distribution centers without incurring carrier reefer trailer fees on every move.
Auto plants and manufacturers running JIT production with dedicated trailer pools use power only carriers to execute milk runs and sequenced supplier pickups when internal tractor capacity is fully committed to production-critical moves.
Shippers with strong seasonal patterns — retail Q4, produce season, holiday foods — use power only to move their own trailers during volume surges without committing to long-term contract capacity that won't be needed in off-peak months.
Common questions about power only service — how it works, who needs it, trailer requirements, and how it compares to standard truckload freight.
Power only freight is a service where the carrier provides only the tractor — the shipper provides the trailer. The carrier hooks up to your trailer and moves it to the destination, then drops it. It is used by shippers with private fleets, drop trailer programs, or businesses repositioning trailers between facilities. Power only rates are typically lower than standard dry van because the carrier isn't providing or maintaining a trailer.
Use power only when you own or lease trailers and just need a tractor to move them. If you already have loaded trailers sitting at your dock waiting to be pulled, or empty trailers that need to be repositioned, power only is cheaper than a standard carrier-provided truckload. If you do not own trailers, you need a standard full truckload service where the carrier provides both the tractor and trailer.
Drop and hook means the carrier drops an empty trailer at your dock so you can load on your schedule, then comes back to hook the loaded trailer and depart — no driver wait time. Power only carriers are commonly used in drop programs when the shipper owns the trailers. It eliminates detention charges, speeds up dock throughput, and decouples loading time from driver hours constraints. MyExpressFreight can set up drop trailer programs for qualifying shippers on dedicated lanes.
Power only carriers can move any standard trailer type — 53-foot dry van, reefer, flatbed, step deck, conestoga, or specialized equipment — as long as the trailer is road-legal, DOT-compliant, and properly registered with functioning lights and brakes. The carrier inspects the trailer before hookup and is not liable for pre-existing deficiencies. Shippers are responsible for ensuring trailers meet DOT roadworthiness requirements before any power only move.
Power only rates run roughly 15–25% below standard dry van on the same lane, since the carrier provides no trailer. Exact rates depend on lane, distance, and tractor availability in the origin market. Empty trailer repositioning moves may price differently than loaded trailer moves. Contact MyExpressFreight for a same-day power only quote — we return rates quickly and can advise on the most cost-effective approach for your trailer program.
The trailer owner (shipper) is responsible for trailer maintenance, registration, and DOT compliance. The carrier is responsible for safe tractor operation during the move. If a trailer defect causes an accident or breakdown, liability typically rests with the trailer owner. Our carriers perform a pre-trip inspection at hookup and immediately report any concerns — but shippers should ensure trailers are regularly inspected and DOT-compliant before scheduling power only moves.
Yes — power only moves can cross into Canada with proper CBSA documentation and carrier authorization for international transport. For Mexico, cross-border power only is available on select lanes, typically via a transload or drayage model at the border. Contact MyExpressFreight with your specific cross-border power only requirements and we will advise on the best approach for your lanes and trailer types.
"We manage 200+ trailers across 12 DCs. MyExpressFreight handles our power only repositioning moves on lanes where our private fleet can't cover. Reliable, fast, and the rates are consistently better than what we were getting before."
"Our drop trailer program at our main distribution center runs on MyExpressFreight power only carriers. Zero detention charges in 6 months. That alone has paid for the program multiple times over."
"During Q4 our private fleet is maxed out. MyExpressFreight power only carriers step in and pull our trailers on our busiest lanes without missing a beat. They understand the drop program and execute flawlessly every time."
"Repositioning empty reefer trailers back to California after Midwest deliveries used to be a nightmare to source. MyExpressFreight has power only capacity on that lane every time I need it — and pricing that makes the math work."
"We had a driver call out sick on a time-critical trailer move. MyExpressFreight had a power only carrier hooked up and dispatched within two hours. That kind of speed on a last-minute power only move is rare."
"The pre-trip inspection MyExpressFreight carriers do before hooking up to our trailers has actually helped us catch maintenance issues we didn't know about. It's added a layer of trailer oversight we didn't have before."
Tractor-only service on all North American lanes — loaded and empty trailer moves.