FAQ: Your Top 6 GPS Trailer Tracker Questions
The GPS trailer tracker might be the most-overlooked tool in fleet management. Many organizations focus on their vehicles, which is a great first step. But trailers and their contents are also valuable components of your business. This GPS Trailer Tracking FAQ will equip you with information that can help you better manage your trailers.
The guide is based on some of the most-common questions we hear from organizations like yours. Before we get started, let’s point out some different types of trailer trackers:
- Powered trackers can provide the most information, including run time, detention time, and proof of service monitoring. This makes powered trackers and their sensors invaluable for Food Safety Modernization Act compliance.
- Solar trackers are perfect for non-powered containers that are likely to receive plenty of exposure to sunlight. The GPS Insight ST-1200 solar tracker is configured to report every 15 minutes when in motion or 4 times per day when idle.
- Satellite trackers allow fleet managers to monitor assets in remote locations. The GPS Insight satellite trackers can ping up to 6 times per day, depending on your service tier.
Now that we have the types established, let’s move on to the questions.
Why would I want to track my trailers?
It’s easy to say “trailers can’t go anywhere by themselves, so why track them?” But stolen trailers are often in the news, like this story about a missing trailer that contained nearly 100,000 meals for homeless veterans. Trailer tracking would’ve been invaluable in resolving this situation.
As you can see, GPS trailer trackers can protect both the trailer and its contents. It allows you to check their locations, verify drops/pickups, and much more. And the solar-powered trailer trackers won’t even increase your carbon footprint or cost more money to power. In short, a trailer tracker addresses accountability, compliance, safety, and efficiency.
How does a trailer tracker work to verify location, drops, and pickups?
Trailer tracking devices use GPS and cell networks or satellite networks. This allows them to provide information including real-time and historic location and time spent at a customer for drop-offs and pickups. This data can ensure that drivers don’t make unauthorized stops or detours with trailers.
Also, trailer tracking devices must be externally powered (for powered or motorized trailers), or powered by batteries or solar cells (for non-powered or non-motorized trailers). The only other device needed to track your fleet’s trailers is a Web-connected smartphone, tablet, or computer to access the trailer tracker software.
Depending on the refresh rate setting of the installed trailer tracking device, a manual ping will give you the approximate location of a trailer. Typically, refresh rates update at intervals of a few times per day, or even once daily. Some can also be motion based. This also depends on the type of device: Some are only available in one configuration, while you can set others up to suit your needs.
Can I use GPS for trailers to locate my lost or stolen trailers?
GPS trailer tracking can locate lost or stolen trailers as well as pinpoint the location of trailers incorrectly parked. A trailer tracker can even help identify illegal behavior that could result in lost trailers or vehicles, wrecks, and stolen goods.
Can trailer tracking show which of my trailers are used the most or least often?
Trailer tracking utilization reports show the details of how much your organization is using its trailers. Filtering by unutilized trailers, daily utilization, miles, and trips provides insight into which trailers your organization uses most and least often.
How can I use a trailer tracker for maintaining my trailers?
A powered GPS tracking solution allows you to stay on top of preventative maintenance for all your operation’s vehicles, trailers, and other mobile assets. By creating a schedule and setting reminders, you can automatically alert your maintenance team when a trailer’s maintenance date is approaching, due, or overdue.
And with fleet maintenance reports, you can make sure maintenance services are performed.
How much does GPS trailer tracking cost?
GPS Insight trailer tracking starts at $21.95 per month for Standard accounts. Solar-powered options are available for a $150 hardware fee per device.