Much goes into cost-effective and efficient trucking, loading, and unloading cargo. Drop and hook trucking is a popular means of maximizing a truck driver's efficiency and the time spent on the road while minimizing fees and detention costs.
Read on for a more detailed breakdown of drop and hook trucking, plus answers to these seven common questions regarding this shipping practice:
- What Is Drop and Hook Trucking?
- What's the Difference Between Drop and Hook Trucking and Live Loads?
- Can Owners Transport Drop and Hook Loads?
- How Does Drop and Hook Trucking Handle Demand Surges?
- Can Small Shippers Use Drop and Hook Services?
- What Are the Benefits of Drop and Hook Shipping?
- What Are the Disadvantages of Drop and Hook Shipping?
What Is Drop and Hook Trucking?
Drop and hook trucking, also called drop and hook freight, means that a truck driver drops or releases an entire shipping container/cargo haul at a facility, then hooks their vehicle to a preloaded or empty trailer at the exact location. The sequence roughly goes like this:
- A truck driver arrives at a drop-off shipping facility.
- Instead of spending time unloading cargo, the truck driver simply releases their full cargo container.
- The truck then immediately hooks up to a full container ready to go or hooks up to an empty container to take with them to another location.
- The truck driver speeds away to continue on their route.
Drop and hook trucking is fast, efficient in terms of cost and time, and ideal for busy ports or cargo stop-off points with enough crew members on hand to handle the loading and unloading.
It doesn't matter whether the picked-up trailer is loaded or not. All that matters is that the driver doesn't spend time unloading cargo. Instead, they hit the road again and spend more time driving.
What's the Difference Between Drop and Hook Trucking and Live Loads?
Contrasting with drop and hook, "live load" trucking involves a driver arriving at a facility and docking with a trailer. At that point, they have to wait for workers – usually employed by the facility – to either load or unload freight before they can drive off and begin their journey.
This has several significant problems, namely that detention fees may build up, increasing the costs for the load and the money the client has to pay. On top of that, live shipments require extra attention and coordination from transportation teams and workers.
Drop and hook trucking requires some coordination, as transportation teams must ensure that loads are ready to go (to be hooked up to a truck). But in aggregate, drop and hook trucking is more manageable and efficient for everyone involved.
Can Owners Transport Drop and Hook Loads?
Yes, although this wasn't always the case. Recently, drop and hook freight was only available for large and asset-based carriers who could operate huge trailer fleets. Drop and hook trailer loads are available for carriers of many sizes and capacities.
In other words, yes – you, as a business owner, can now transport drop and hook loads when you coordinate with a suitable carrier fleet.
How Does Drop and Hook Trucking Handle Demand Surges?
In previous years, business owners and carrier transportation enterprises didn't rely much on drop and hook freight because of its limited capacity. Drop and hook transporting requires trailers to be complete and ready to attach or detach to a truck; they also rely on a fixed fleet of trailers and tractors that can quickly move between facilities and loading points.
While drop and hook trucking has always been beneficial for small businesses or moderate market demands, it hasn't always been the best for surges in demand. But this is becoming better every year.
Now, many carrier services have extra shippers and truckers to ensure that there's always someone on hand to pick up a load. On top of that, businesses can contract more trailers to handle demand surges when necessary.
In short, drop and hook trucking can handle demand surges if you prepare accordingly and if you contract with a good transportation company like RPM.
Can Small Shippers Use Drop and Hook Services?
Many smaller shippers or owner operators in the trucking industry use drop and hook services. This is especially true if they are limited in what they usually transport or ship across the country.
For example, suppose your business only ever ships full loads of dry van trailers (to receive or send goods to end-users or consumers). In that case, you can certainly take advantage of drop and hook services and reap the benefits (see more below).
However, larger businesses can also use drop and hook services. It depends on a facility's trailer space, shipping capacity, and what they usually ship or receive for their cargo loads.
If you aren't sure whether drop and hook services are worth your time, contact your inventory manager or consult your records to see if it'll be a good fit.
What Are the Benefits of Drop and Hook Shipping?
There are many significant benefits to drop and hook shipping, which is why many companies try to take advantage of this shipping model when possible. Some of the essential benefits include:
- No Contact with Cargo
- Speeds Up Deliveries
- Cheaper
- More Independence for Drivers
No Contact with Cargo
The first of these benefits is that drivers can deliver loads without having to touch or handle any of the cargo. No-touch freight cuts down on time and costs for business owners, trucking companies, and truck drivers.
Speeds Up Deliveries
As mentioned above, drop and hook shipping frequently allows drivers to speed up their deliveries. They can roll up to a facility, drop off a loaded trailer, then either pick up another empty trailer/reefer or go on their way to pick up their next load.
Drivers don't have to spend time loading and unloading cargo and filling out endless forms. They often don't have to get out of their truck cabins.
Cheaper
All those time savings necessarily result in cost savings, as well. Drop and hook shipping is frequently cheaper compared to the alternative. This is true for drivers, shipping companies, clients, or those who hire them.
More Independence for Drivers
Lastly, drivers benefit from additional independence when they take advantage of the drop and hook contracts. Many companies don't need drivers to unload cargo, but others do. Even if a driver isn't obligated to unload cargo, they still have to wait on site while employees offload cargo, which is time they aren't spending money on.
Drivers prefer the additional independence that comes alongside drop and hooks shipping, so they may prioritize clients or facilities that allow them to work with it.
What Are the Disadvantages of Drop and Hook Shipping?
There are a few downsides to drop and hook shipping, but it pays to be aware of them so you know which shipping schedule to sign up for. Some of the most important downsides to keep in mind include:
- Requires More Space
- Can't Ship Perishables
- Increased Lead Time
Requires More Space
For starters, drop and hook shipping necessarily requires more space. You need plenty of extra room at your facilities to store full containers or trailers. In this way, drivers can quickly roll up, unload or hook up a new trailer and be on their way.
Can’t Ship Perishables
Unfortunately, you can't ship any perishable items with drop and hook, like seafood or poultry. That's because refrigerated containers can't be relied upon to maintain their temperatures for too long, especially when you consider that containers need to be ready to go as soon as a driver arrives to pick up or drop off a load.
Increased Lead Time
Lastly, drop and hook shipping frequently requires more lead time than other shipping services. That's because shippers need an extra warning that a driver will be arriving imminently to drop off a container and pick up another one from the yard.
Bottom Line
Drop and hook trucking is one of the best ways to maximize shipping efficiency no matter what you need to transport. With drop and hook trucking, truck drivers can increase their time on the road and minimize or eliminate time spent waiting for cargo to be loaded or unloaded.
Fortunately, many of the best truck drivers employed by RPM use drop and hook trucking so that you can benefit from reduced costs, faster cargo turnover, and more. Contact RPM today to find out how you can use drop and hook trucking for your business.
Sources:
What is drop-and-hook freight? 5 common questions | Convoy
Are Drop And Hooks Really Any Better Than Live Loads? | TruckingTruth Blog
Hauling Refrigerated Trailers | TruckingTruth Blog
