5 Business Benefits of GPS Trailer Tracking Technology

GPS tracking is not only useful for keeping track of vehicles and drivers but also an invaluable tool for ensuring your fleet's trailers and cargo are protected and safe. 

Fleet tracking software has proven highly effective. Statistics from 2022 show fleets reporting a 55% reduction in fuel costs and 42% fewer safety incidents. Additionally, 62% of fleet tracking users reported a positive ROI, demonstrating the value of tracking technology investments. 

But have you considered extending your current tracking capabilities to your non-vehicle assets, specifically trailers? There are various options, both wired and wireless, for tracking these types of assets.  

If you're not yet convinced that it's worth the investment, let's look at some of the benefits you can derive from trailer tracking: 

1. Theft and misuse prevention 

Thefts related to cargo is on the rise. For example, according to CargoNet, cargo theft in the United States alone increased from 797 in 2019 to 1,059 in 2020. Having a trailer tracking device implemented can not only help deter thieves but can also assist in recovering a trailer if it goes missing. 

In addition, trailer tracking solutions offer geofencing features. Geofencing allows you to set virtual boundaries within which your vehicles and assets are allowed to operate. As soon as a trailer enters or exits a particular location without authorization, you are immediately notified so that it can be investigated. 

2. Auditing 

Many trailer tracking solutions, including Powerfleet’s asset management software, automatically maintain an electronic registry of all tracked assets. This registry includes information about the trailer itself (such as its make and model), its status, and its current whereabouts.  

When a routine physical audit is done, tracking makes it easier to verify the existence of all the assets listed on your balance sheet. Companies that fail to track assets like trailers often risk losing out on money on an annual basis. 

3. Event tracking 

Trailer tracking devices notify you of events inside the trailer, such as "door open" or "door close." Trailers carrying temperature-sensitive cargo especially benefit from this, as any change in temperature can trigger an alert, ensuring that your driver or you can act in time to prevent cargo from spoiling. Even notifications on driving events, such as harsh cornering, can be helpful, as aggressive driving can potentially damage the cargo inside a trailer. 

4. Locating 

If you manage many trailers and operate in a variety of locations, it's not always easy to locate where a particular vehicle or asset is. With tracking software, you can see exactly where a trailer is at any given moment by seeing its exact location on a map. You can also see where trailers have traveled before with historical tracking records. 

5. Utilization 

Utilization is a very important metric to track. It informs you whether the assets you currently own are being used to their full capacity and whether any assets are no longer needed because they are not being used as often as they should be.  

For example, if a trailer has not moved from a particular location for a long time, this tells you that it's being underutilized. This will help you decide whether to reassign the trailer to a better-use area or get rid of it by selling it or renting it out to save on the costs of keeping an asset that does not contribute to or improve your fleet's operational efficiency.