Do you own a shipping or freight company?  Are you a regular shipper or just occasionally?  Do you have any reliable way to track where your various vehicles are?  I don’t mean that CB in the cab of the truck, or the radio in the ship!  I mean something that is more reliable and accurate, in case something happens to the vehicle or driver. 

Numerous surveys show that in the United States today, private trucking and common carrier fleets transport about two-thirds of all freight tonnage.  It was further found that a high percentage of these goods are transported in commercial trailers, with the balance traveling in so-called “straight trucks”, integrating the truck cab with a non-detachable freight space.  And, a number of these trucking fleets operate two times as many trailers as tractors. 

Given this, it is obvious that many trucking operators have a need for monitoring the location as well as status of their trailers.  As you may know, most of the cargo operators often drop trailers at storage yards, customer facilities and other location and usually have difficulty in keeping track of their location.   Much worse is that most of the fleet managers often do not know when a particular trailer is empty and ready to go back in service. 

With such a condition, a GPS freight tracking system is no doubt needed.  As far as I know, a number of cargo operators are willing to pay for a GPS freight tracking device and services.  That’s what many surveys have found out, and I think under such conditions, the cargo operators should consider GPS freight tracking systems, regardless of the cost. 

Speaking of cost, the GPS freight tracking systems typically range from $500 to $600.  The installation of load sensors, door sensors, tire pressure sensors, and so on, increase the price, however.  Also, most GPS freight tracking system services often charge a monthly fee for the service.  The typical monthly fee runs about $10 to $15 per unit per month.  But, this price highly depends on the message frequency of the system, as well as the types of information transmitted.  

As many surveys have noted, these prices are significantly lower than the typical prices for GPS freight tracking systems designed to monitor the tractors.  As you may know, monitoring the tractor with a GPS freight tracking system may involve data communications with drivers, which tend to be more frequent and entail longer messages than the simple trailer location and status message. 

Whatever the cost is, a GPS freight tracking system is really worth considering.  It has a number of uses.  One of those is the fact that these systems can give you accurate information about any freight transaction, aside from the fact that it can pinpoint the exact location of a trailer.  A GPS freight tracking system can also provide other useful information, including load status, door openings, tire condition, as well as identification of a tractor hooked to it.  In fact, many trailer operators wanted to know if an alien tractor hooks up to their trailer, and if it’s a mistake, they’d be able to prevent a logistical problem. 

Further worth noting is the fact that, with the use of a GPS freight tracking device, shipments can be located if stolen, and customer service is improved with the ability for the shipper to accurately report delivery time.  It also allows the shipping customers to analyze information in selecting the most efficient shipper.   There’s no doubt that location information can aid in inventory control. 

So if you don’t already have some sort of GPS freight tracking device or service in your fleet, isn’t it time you considered it.  Think of the things it can do to improve your business, increase your profits, and perhaps even prevent those expensive losses of shipments.  You will able to always be on top of the situation!  What a feeling of security!