Trailer Flexibility Is Disappearing Faster Than Fleets Realize

For several years, fleet managers have viewed trailer capacity as a flexible tool to adapt to changing freight conditions. However, according to Ed Behnen, Senior Vice President of Sales at Premier Trailer Leasing, that flexibility is rapidly disappearing. Behnen recently appeared on What the Truck?!? to discuss the current state of the trailer leasing market.

He emphasized that the market has already lost equipment flexibility due to a series of overlapping events since spring. Behnen listed multiple factors contributing to the market pressure: CDL flex from the Montgomery Supreme Court ruling, inspection week, Prime Day, and the World Cup with 11 host cities overlapping in July. Prime Day pull forward, combined with spot rates, has created a situation where fleets can test the new market while worrying about the opportunity cost of returning equipment.

This has resulted in a tighter market than suggested by headline numbers. An additional operational problem is the difficulty in tracking trailer custody among fleets, leading to a risk category called asset-visibility gap. Behnen emphasized the importance of diligence and paperwork for carriers, as well as the need for strategic tech packages with geofencing.

Premier Trailer Leasing actively monitors trailer availability by geofencing hundreds of tow yards and notifying customers of availability or unavailability. The key takeaway is the importance of speed in information and understanding equipment locations. When planning for the near future, fleets should consider leasing as a temporary solution rather than a permanent one until the trailer pricing and truck capex settle.

Behnen suggests that fleets should focus on leasing to access equipment and secure contracts without making long-term purchases. He stresses the importance of partnering with a quality leasing provider who reinvests in equipment maintenance and offers transparent billing. Fleet owners anticipating additional trailers in the next six to twelve months should address lead time and paperwork urgently, as peak season and bid season are approaching.