March 7, 2025
An often overlooked factor for a fleet’s ROI is trailer utilization. Poor trailer utilization can often lead to unnecessary trips, which in turn wastes fuel, creates excessive wear and tear, and increases trailer turnaround times.
In the current fast paced world of fleet management, return on investment (ROI) is crucial when making any decision. Fleets need to be confident that their investments are justified. However, many don’t realize that purchasing a new trailer, which seems like a smart move, can actually end up being a costly mistake.
An often overlooked factor for a fleet’s ROI is trailer utilization. Poor trailer utilization can often lead to unnecessary trips, which in turn wastes fuel, creates excessive wear and tear, and increases trailer turnaround times. By improving how one manages their existing trailer inventory, a fleet could potentially reduce the number of trailers by 1% - 20%. This may sound like a small amount, but for a large fleet with over 10,000 trailers, reducing just 1% of trailers could mean eliminating 100 unused units!
With the average trailer price now around $40,000, those 100 idle trailers represent a $4 million investment doing nothing but losing value. By accurately assessing trailer capacity, fleets could both reduce their inventory and haul more freight whilst using the same equipment, turning that 1% improvement into real savings!
With better utilization, a fleet could reduce the number of trailers needed when hauling the same amount of materials, while boosting efficiency. A fleet that would normally need six trailers for five loads could instead accomplish the same results with just three trailers! By eliminating unnecessary deadhead miles, fleets can save on fuel costs and reduce wear and tear.
The key to unlocking this potential lies in advanced trailer technology. Tools like Phillips Connect’s CargoVision™ sensors provide real-time insights into trailer capacity, offering fleet managers a detailed, unobstructed view of how full a trailer is and even estimating unloading times. With these innovations, fleets can dramatically improve trailer utilization, maximizing efficiency and ROI.
Mastering trailer utilization means more loads, less waste, and ultimately, more revenue.
This blog post is for informational purposes only. The features and benefits of Trailer Utilization mentioned may vary based on individual business needs and usage.
