Starting a trucking business is exciting, but it comes with a lot of expenses—especially when it comes to owning a trailer. If you’re new to trucking or just bought your truck, adding a trailer to the mix can feel overwhelming. But there are ways to haul freight without owning one. In this article, we’ll walk through how you can still move loads and make money without purchasing a trailer immediately.

Owning a Trailer is Expensive

High Cost of Capital

Trailers can be expensive, with the cost of a new trailer ranging anywhere from $30,000 to $80,000 or more, depending on the type. That’s a significant investment on top of the cost of your truck. 

If you get a loan to finance the trailer, you’ll need to make monthly payments for years. Interest rates for trailer loans usually range from 4% to 8% (as of the time of this writing), and your credit score, business history, and down payment will all affect what you can get. New carriers in particular without enough business history or personal credit history, will find securing financing challenging.

High Maintenance Costs

Older trailers require more maintenance than newer trailers. However, ongoing preventative maintenance is important to keep even new trailers in good condition—tires, brakes, and inspections all add up. And if the trailer breaks down unexpectedly, repairs can be expensive and keep you off the road, that means incurring costs while not earning income. 

Costs to Stay Compliant

Additionally, there are recurring costs to keep trailers in compliance to haul freight. This includes keeping track of maintenance records and staying on top of inspection requirements. There is ongoing trailer insurance just like there is insurance for your truck in order to haul freight.

Trailers can be essential to gain access to many shippers and brokers’ loads but can also become a financial burden. If you’re not ready to make that investment, there are other ways to haul freight without owning a trailer.

Rent a Trailer

One alternative to buying a trailer is renting one. Renting allows you to avoid the large upfront cost and the long-term financial commitment of owning a trailer. Instead, you pay a rental fee for as long as you need the trailer. Rentals can be as short as 30 days or as long as multi-year lease terms.

Two companies stand out regarding short-term trailer rentals for owner-operators: Ryder and Repowr. Larger fleets can tap into larger players like Milestone and Xtra that provide flexible longer-term leases. 

Ryder Co-Op 

Ryder is a well-known name in the trucking industry and offers a variety of trailers for rent, including dry vans, reefers, and flatbeds. They have a nationwide network and a strong reputation for reliability, making them a go-to option for many owner-operators. Ryder provides full-service leases, meaning they handle most of the maintenance and repairs.

However, make sure to review the terms of the contract closely to understand which party is responsible for what in case of an accident or dispute.

Repowr

Repowr is a newer player on the market. As a venture capital-backed startup, Repowr is gaining traction and makes it easy to find trailers, understand pricing, and track usage.

They focus on providing flexible rental options for owner-operators and small fleets. While they may not have the same extensive network as Ryder, Repowr offers a modern, tech-savvy approach that appeals to younger or more tech-forward truckers. Repowr offers some maintenance support, but the maintenance responsibilities ultimately lie with the renter.

With both companies, factors to consider include: the rental cost, the types of trailers available, and contract terms. Look out for the insurance requirements. Most rental companies will require specific coverage for the rented trailer, typically the trailer interchange coverage.

Tap into TrueNorth's partnership with Repowr for additional savings.

Milestone

Milestone Trailer Leasing is a trusted name in the industry, offering a variety of equipment, including dry vans, flatbeds, and refrigerated trailers. They cater to larger fleets with flexible, long-term leasing options designed to help businesses scale smoothly. With nationwide locations, Milestone makes it easy for carriers to access the trailers they need while also providing maintenance programs as part of some lease agreements. 

However, their services are best suited for fleets that can commit to multi-year leases, which often require thorough paperwork and credit checks. For businesses focused on growth, Milestone offers a cost-effective way to manage operations with reliable equipment.

Xtra

XTRA Lease is another top provider for fleets needing long-term trailer solutions. They offer standard and specialty trailers, known for their excellent upkeep and reliability. XTRA goes beyond just leasing equipment by including 24/7 roadside assistance, ensuring downtime is kept to a minimum. Their transparent pricing structure eliminates hidden fees, but their services are generally geared toward larger carriers looking for longer-term commitments. For businesses prioritizing well-maintained equipment and robust support, XTRA Lease provides a dependable solution that helps keep operations running smoothly.

Power-Only Broker Loads

Another way to haul freight without a trailer is by taking on power-only loads. Power-only trucking means you use your truck to pull a trailer that belongs to someone else. In this arrangement, the broker or shipper owns the trailer, and you’re just providing the “power”—your truck and driving services.

The main appeal of power-only loads is relying on the broker to handle everything related to the trailer. The owner-operator just needs to be able to pick up and drop off per the load requirements. Big brokerages also can offer steady load options for power only loads. This helps to push out any large capital costs tied to trailer ownership.

The major drawbacks is how much it can limit a carrier’s load options. Some brokers may also have stricter onboarding requirements. They will typically require carriers to sign an additional agreement: the trailer interchange agreement in addition to the usual broker-carrier agreement. Lastly, rates can be lower on power only loads than hauling with an owned trailer.

Many brokers offer power-only loads, and some more well-known for it than others. Uber Freight, Schneider, and USA Truck are three brokers that offer power-only opportunities.

• Uber Freight: Uber Freight has a platform that makes it easy for truckers to find power-only loads. The app gives you access to available loads and lets you filter for power-only options. One of the advantages of Uber Freight is its transparency on pricing—what you see is what you get. They offer a streamlined onboarding process, and the app is very user-friendly, making it appealing for drivers new to power-only freight. Uber Freight’s power only program is called Power Loop.
• Schneider: Schneider is one of the largest carriers in North America and has a strong presence in the power-only market. They offer a wide variety of load types and have dedicated power-only opportunities. Working with a large company like Schneider can provide stability, but the onboarding process may take a little longer compared to newer platforms like Uber Freight. Power Only loads are searchable via their load board FreightPower.
• USA Truck: USA Truck, acquired by DB Schenker, also offers power-only loads. Their power only program is branded Plus Power. They’re known for working with smaller carriers and owner-operators, providing a range of freight options. Like Schneider, they have a more traditional setup but offer competitive rates for power-only hauls.

Refer to TrueNorth Carrier Setups series to help with getting approved to work with brokers.

Wrap Up

Getting started in trucking can be tough—especially when it comes to managing all the costs. While you’ll need a truck to get started, you don’t necessarily need to own a trailer right away.

Renting a trailer through companies like Ryder or Repowr gives you access to the equipment you need without the long-term commitment of buying. And if you prefer to avoid trailers altogether, power-only loads from brokers like Uber Freight, Schneider, and USA Truck provide opportunities to make money by just using your truck.

In trucking, it’s important to find the right balance between your expenses and your revenue. By exploring these alternatives, you can get on the road and start hauling freight without breaking the bank.