Trailers are easy to lose track of. They sit in a lot, a yard, or at a customer’s dock. Days can pass before anyone checks on them. Then one morning the trailer is gone, or it is not where the schedule says it should be. GPS trailer tracking gives you a straight answer to the question every fleet owner asks: where is that trailer right now?
We have specialized in GPS tracking since 2003, and trailer problems come up often. Here is how tracking helps with theft and downtime, the two problems that cost the most. We also cover what to think about when you choose a device.
| The Problem | How Tracking Helps |
| A trailer disappears from a lot overnight | A geofence alarm flags it when it leaves an area you set |
| No one is sure which trailer is where | One map shows the location of every tracked trailer |
| Dispatch spends time hunting for equipment | You see where a trailer is before you send a driver |
| A tracker goes quiet after weeks in a yard | Long battery standby and a low power alarm keep it reporting |
| Someone moves a trailer that should stay parked | Motion and tamper detection on some trackers raise a flag |
What does a trailer tracker actually do?
A trailer tracker is a rugged device that mounts on the trailer and reports its position to tracking software you log into. Instead of guessing, you look at a map. That is the core of GPS trailer tracking, and better devices add alerts on top of the location data. Depending on the device, a tracker can send:
- Position reports, so you can see where a trailer is and where it has been
- Geofence alarms when a trailer enters or leaves an area you define
- Low power alarms, so you can recharge before the device goes quiet
- Temperature readings, on trackers that support temperature sensors
The AVL-600W Series on our site covers trailers, tankers, reefers, and flatbed trucks. Smaller assets like containers, pallets, and crates have their own trackers on our assets page.
How does tracking help prevent theft?
A tracker will not physically stop a thief, but it shortens the time between a theft and your response. That gap matters most. A trailer you can see on a map is a trailer you can act on.
- A geofence alarm tells you when a trailer leaves a lot or yard it should not leave
- Position reports give you a current location to share with the authorities
- Some trackers add motion and tamper detection, which can flag handling when a trailer should sit still
- Models with no-wiring installation and an optional magnetic mount make it easier to place a tracker out of sight
As a customer, you get professional-grade tracking equipment, software, and service of the kind law enforcement agencies and military entities use every day.
How does tracking cut downtime?
Most trailer downtime is a visibility problem. The trailer exists, but nobody knows where it is, so trucks wait, drivers circle, and jobs slip. GPS trailer tracking replaces phone calls and yard walks with a look at the map.
- Dispatch sees where each trailer is before sending a driver to pick it up
- Long battery standby (up to 90 days on the AVL-600W Series) keeps a trailer visible after weeks in a yard
- Low power alarms give you time to recharge before a device goes dark
- Dual external power inputs add redundancy on the AVL-600W Series
- Temperature monitoring on supported trackers lets you keep an eye on reefer loads
Our fleet page also lists trailer solutions next to vehicle, towing, cold storage and electronic logging. That helps if you want to track more than trailers.
What should you ask before choosing a trailer tracker?
Start with how you use the trailer, because that decides which device fits. A trailer that runs every day has different needs than one parked at a job site for a month.
- What kind of trailer is it: dry van, tanker, reefer or flatbed?
- How long will it sit between charges or power connections?
- Which alerts matter most: leaving a geofence, low power, temperature or tampering?
- Do you need to track only trailers, or the whole fleet?
- Do you want a device that wires in, or one that mounts with a magnet?
Pricing depends on the device and your setup, so we do not list it here. Our sales team can walk you through the options. For a closer look at what these devices do, start with our product page for GPS trailer tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tracker stop thieves from taking a trailer?
No device physically stops a thief. What a tracker does is shorten your response time. A geofence alarm and live position reports tell you something is wrong and where to look.
What kinds of trailers can you track?
The AVL-600W Series works with trailers, tankers, reefers, and flatbed trucks. For containers, pallets, and crates, we offer asset trackers. Our sales team can help you match a device to your equipment.
How long does a trailer tracker battery last?
The AVL-600W Series offers up to 90 days of standby time on its internal rechargeable battery. It can also use dual external power sources for redundancy. Actual run time depends on how you use the device, so ask our sales team about your setup.
How much does a trailer tracker cost?
The price depends on the device you choose and how you plan to use it. We do not post a single number because setups vary. Contact our sales team and they will go over your options.
Ready to Talk Trailers?
Call our sales team at 650-692-8100 or email sales@trackingtheworld.com. You can also reach us through our contact page. Our office is at 2360 East Bidwell Street, Suite 111, Folsom, CA 95630. Our hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
