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Category: Efficiency

A Dot on a Map Isn’t Visibility

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For most of the trucking industry’s history, knowing where a trailer was parked was considered a meaningful win. Asset tracking provided a dot on a map, updated regularly, telling operations teams where their trailer was sitting. In an industry that ran on phone calls, clipboards, and educated guesses, that kind of location data represented real progress, and for a time it was enough.

But the freight industry has changed, and while location is still part of what fleets need to know about their trailers, it has become the baseline, not the goal.

The False Confidence Problem

What asset tracking doesn’t tell you is considerably more consequential than what it does. It doesn’t tell you that trailers are leaving the dock well below fill targets, or which terminals are responsible for the shortfall, and it doesn’t give maintenance teams the predictive insight needed to address a tire condition before it becomes a roadside failure. It also doesn’t tell you that a trailer has been parked at a customer site past the point where detention applies, or whether the yard inventory your team is working from reflects what’s really out there.

Asset tracking answers one question and leaves the rest unanswered, and every one of those blind spots carries a price: capital deployed on equipment that didn’t need to roll, tire failures that TPMS could have caught before they reached the road, and detention revenue that disappears before anyone realizes it’s gone.

What Real-Time Trailer Visibility Requires

Real-time trailer visibility isn’t a better version of asset tracking, but rather a different category of capability, and the distinction matters more than the industry has traditionally acknowledged.

It means knowing the operational state of every trailer in the fleet, not just its coordinates. It can tell you whether trailers are departing at capacity or losing efficiency one underloaded trip at a time, whether a tire is trending toward failure or performing within spec, whether a trailer in a remote yard is available to dispatch, and whether detention claims are supported by timestamped documented evidence.

Getting there requires intelligence that travels with the trailer: sensors, cameras, and AI-powered platforms built specifically for the trailer environment. A system designed to understand cargo conditions inside a trailer is a fundamentally different tool than one designed for something else and adapted for the job, and the quality of the insight reflects that difference. A fleet running hundreds of trailers across dozens of terminals doesn’t have a location problem. It has a trailer intelligence problem, and a dot on a map was never going to solve it.

The Moment a Trailer Leaves the Dock

Consider what happens the moment a trailer exits a facility. Dock cameras can photograph loading activity and tell you something about what went into a trailer, but the moment it pulls away from the dock, that data stream ends, and whatever happens in transit or at the customer facility is invisible.

Smart trailer technology travels with the load, capturing the state of the trailer at the moment it becomes a moving asset, which is exactly when most traditional systems go dark. AI-powered trailer cargo intelligence can measure cube utilization at departure, identify what’s inside the trailer, including loaded pallets, pallet jacks, and personnel, and deliver real-time trailer visibility into conditions that require attention, while there’s still an opportunity to act on them.

That’s the kind of operational insight that changes how freight gets planned and loaded, reduces cargo claims, and gives carriers the accountability their customers are increasingly expecting.

Why This Matters Now

Location data still has a role in trailer operations, and asset tracking isn’t going away. Treating it as a visibility strategy, though, is a choice with real consequences, and as margins compress, customer expectations rise, and the industry moves steadily toward autonomous freight, those consequences are getting harder to absorb.

Autonomous trucks, when they arrive at scale, will require full accountability for everything they’re pulling, and a GPS ping won’t be sufficient. The fleets investing in trailer intelligence now are building capabilities that will define how they compete for the next decade.

The question fleets used to ask was: where is my trailer? The question that drives performance today is: what is my trailer telling me? For most of the industry, those are still two very different conversations, and the gap between them is where efficiency, revenue, and safety are being won or lost every day.

Frequently asked questions

What is trailer intelligence?

Trailer intelligence refers to the ability to continuously monitor and act on a trailer’s full operational condition, including tire health, cargo status, brake performance, door activity, liftgate usage, and real-time location, through a connected smart trailer platform. It goes beyond knowing where a trailer is to understanding what it’s doing, how its systems are performing, and what operational decisions that data should drive.

How is smart trailer technology different from basic asset tracking?

Asset tracking answers one question: where is the trailer? Smart trailer technology answers the questions that drive fleet performance, including whether trailers are departing at fill targets, which terminals are underperforming, whether a tire is trending toward failure, and whether detention claims are documented. It delivers real-time trailer visibility across the full operational state of every trailer in the fleet, not just its location.

What is real-time trailer visibility?

Real-time trailer visibility is continuous operational awareness of every trailer in a fleet, including its location, cargo conditions, tire health, brake performance, and utilization status. Unlike periodic location updates from basic tracking systems, real-time trailer visibility gives operations teams the information they need to make decisions while there’s still an opportunity to act on them.

What is AI-powered trailer cargo intelligence?

AI-powered trailer cargo intelligence uses cameras and machine learning trained specifically on trailer environments to measure volumetric load data, identify objects inside the trailer, including loaded pallets, pallet jacks, and personnel, and deliver operational insights that basic cargo sensors cannot provide. Phillips Connect’s CargoVision is purpose-built for the trailer environment, not adapted from technology designed for other applications.

How does predictive trailer maintenance work?

Predictive trailer maintenance uses real-time data from onboard sensors to identify developing issues before they become failures. Tire pressure, temperature, and load data are analyzed continuously, allowing maintenance teams to address conditions before they result in roadside events, unplanned service calls, or delivery disruptions. This shifts maintenance from a schedule-based model to one driven by what the trailer is actually reporting.

How does trailer cargo intelligence reduce freight claims?

Trailer cargo intelligence creates a documented record of cargo conditions throughout the delivery cycle, from departure through transit to delivery. When a door breach, temperature excursion, or cargo shift occurs, that record establishes when and where the condition happened, which simplifies claims resolution and often prevents disputes from escalating. More importantly, real-time alerts give carriers the opportunity to intervene before a condition becomes an irreversible loss. 

A.D. Transport Express Adds Phillips Connect to 1,050 OEM New Trailer Builds, Dispatching Straight from the Factory Floor 

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Maximum uptime, zero maintenance: StealthNet delivers from the factory floor forward 

IRVINE, California – July 9, 2026 – A.D. Transport Express, a 41-year-old full truckload carrier serving leading U.S. automotive manufacturers, has deployed Phillips Connect’s StealthNet trailer intelligence solution across its entire trailer fleet including 1,050 OEM new builds. By installing directly at the factory, A.D. Transport was able to dispatch each trailer the moment they left the factory, maximizing uptime and their return on investment. The company has experienced zero platform failures since deployment. 

“We were very excited with Phillips Connect’s Connect1 platform, because it’s had 100 percent uptime compared with our previous system,” said Ed, the company’s Director of Operations.  

A.D. Transport, based in Canton, Michigan, operates more than 500 trucks and 1,700 trailers across a nearly 100-acre facility, running freight around the clock for customers that include global freight carriers and retailers in addition to the automotive sector. Approximately 75% of its business runs on a drop-and-hook model, making trailer availability and dispatch speed critical to daily operations. 

Rather than schedule StealthNet installations after delivery, trailer by trailer, A.D. Transport worked with Phillips Connect to spec the StealthNet units into new builds at the factory. The result: every trailer left the factory already live, already visible, already earning. 

“It was just a great plan to have them put into the trailers as they were being manufactured,” said Matt, A.D. Transport Express’s co-founder and vice president. “We get to see the trailer coming from the factory to the point of our pickup, and then we can utilize the equipment right from there without having to bring it to the yard.” 

Ed put the operational impact plainly: “When we’re in the Midwest, we want to be able to dispatch the trailer to earn out of the gate.” 

In addition to its StealthNet units, A.D. Transport has deployed Connect1, Phillips Connect’s software platform, alongside the TechAssist app for its maintenance team. Chris, the shop manager and a 20-year veteran of the company, says the StealthNet units have required no maintenance since installation. 

“Because of the stability of the StealthNets, there is no maintenance to them that we’ve seen,” Chris said. 

The company is now working with Phillips Connect to extend fleet visibility directly to drivers via the DriverAssist app, giving them real-time trailer data on tablets and phones. For a carrier managing large drop lots where trailers can be buried or located at off-site customer locations, the capability is expected to reduce search time and increase daily earnings per driver. 

“Their time is so valuable,” said operations supervisor, Tom. “We really want to do everything in our power to let them maximize their time and maximize their earnings.” 

5 Teams in a Fleet that Pay for One Trailer Tire Failure

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I’ve spent enough years around fleets to know the line item for tires doesn’t tell the whole story. When a trailer tire fails on the road, maintenance writes the check, but that’s only one of the budgets it actually hits.

Here are five places one failure shows up:

1. Dispatch loses the window.

A roadside breakdown takes a trailer out of service at exactly the moment somebody is counting on it being there. If it’s a for-hire load, there’s a customer with an SLA on the other end. If it’s a private fleet, it’s a store, a depot, a plant, or a retail partner waiting on product. Dispatch handles the scramble. Somebody reroutes a backup, finds a substitute driver, or logs the delivery late. The cost shows up as lost capacity for the day and a relationship that gets a little harder to keep every time it happens.

2. The driver’s clock keeps running.

A driver waiting on the shoulder is on the hours-of-service clock, and any pay tied to miles or delivery stops at the same time. Every operations leader is already watching retention numbers. Stranding a driver because of a trailer tire isn’t the kind of story that helps those numbers.

3. Safety and risk inherit the paperwork.

Safety leaders own the incident review. Risk managers own whatever legal exposure follows. A tire incident backed by real trailer visibility is among the most defensible a fleet can face. One without it is among the hardest.

4. The brand pays in ways no one invoices.

When a casing comes apart at speed, it leaves debris in the lane. The fleet name on the side of the trailer is the one drivers behind it remember. It’s also the one that ends up in the complaint if a tire incident turns into a claim. A reputation takes years to build. A single roadside video can put a real dent in it overnight, and it doesn’t bounce back on the trailer’s schedule.

5. The tire program pays in wear.

A tire that runs underinflated burns extra fuel and wears faster. A casing destroyed running flat can’t be retreaded, which means it’s a full replacement instead of a second life. Knowing which trailers, which positions, and which routes are eating tires fastest is how a tire program buys fewer of them in a year.

Here’s where I land: maintenance has been carrying the tire conversation by itself for too long. The budget can stay in maintenance, but the conversation can’t. Real-time trailer intelligence on pressure, temperature, and wheel-end behavior puts the same problem in front of operations, dispatch, safety, risk, the driver, and the C-suite at the same time, with the same numbers. The same trailer data extends across cargo monitoring, brakes, doors, and liftgates, giving every team the operational insights they need to act on what they’re seeing, and one tire failure stops being everyone’s problem.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does a trailer tire failure cost a fleet?

A trailer tire failure costs far more than the tire and the road call. The full bill includes the missed delivery window, dispatch rerouting and substitute equipment, driver hours-of-service time without active pay, safety and risk paperwork, brand exposure from any roadside incident, and accelerated wear on the rest of the tire program.

Does ATIS prevent trailer tire failures?

Automatic tire inflation systems (ATIS) keep up with normal pressure loss, but they can fall behind a leak that is larger than the system can fight. When that happens, the tire runs underinflated for long stretches and the only signal is that ATIS cycles more often than usual. ATIS reduces failures. It does not eliminate them.

What is the difference between ATIS and TPMS for trailers?

ATIS (automatic tire inflation systems) adds air to keep tires at a set pressure. TPMS (tire pressure monitoring systems) measures and reports actual pressure and temperature on each tire in real time. ATIS reacts. TPMS reports. A fleet running both can see when ATIS is losing the race to a leak it can’t keep up with.

Why isn’t a pre-trip inspection enough to catch trailer tire problems?

A pre-trip is a visual inspection, and visual inspection has limits. Drivers don’t typically take a pressure reading on every walk-around. A tire 20 or 30 PSI under spec doesn’t always look different from one at spec. Slow leaks, early wear patterns, and casing damage from repeated underinflation are not visible from outside the tire.

How can fleets reduce trailer tire failures?

Real-time visibility is the most effective lever. Tire pressure monitoring, temperature data, and wheel-end behavior make it possible to spot a slow leak, an underinflation pattern, or a wheel position that keeps showing up in the failure log before any of it ends in a roadside incident. Visibility turns an inevitable failure into a manageable one.

Who in a fleet pays the cost of a trailer tire failure?

Real-time visibility is the most effective lever. Tire pressure monitoring, temperature data, and wheel-end behavior make it possible to spot a slow leak, an underinflation pattern, or a wheel position that keeps showing up in the failure log before any of it ends in a roadside incident. Visibility turns an inevitable failure into a manageable one.

How Nussbaum Transportation Added 50% More Useful Life to Its Trailer Fleets

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Maintenance, dispatch, safety, and sales: one carrier’s seven-year journey to running a
smart trailer platform across the whole organization.

IRVINE, Calif. — May 6, 2026 — Seven years into running Phillips Connect’s smart trailer
technology platform, Nussbaum Transportation has made trailer intelligence a mission-critical
component of nearly every part of its operation: maintenance, dispatch,
operations, safety, their sales team, and the driver experience.

Phillips Connect recently debuted Nussbaum’s success story documenting how the
Hudson, Illinois-based truckload carrier reached this milestone and what that level of
adoption has produced.

Nussbaum operates approximately 600 tractors and 1,700 trailers across 48 states. Over
the course of the partnership, the carrier has extended the useful life of their trailers from
10 years to 15, a decision informed by continuous trailer health data rather than fixed trade
cycles. Their CSA score now leads their benchmark group, and roadside costs have
trended down as preventable issues are caught before a driver ever hooks up to the
equipment.

The success story also details how adoption spread beyond the maintenance shop.
Nussbaum’s operations team uses the platform to manage all 1,700 trailers in real time,
with visibility into what trailers are loaded, empty, how much space is available, and where
each one sits, reducing the phone calls and guesswork that slow dispatch. Their sales
team uses the Phillips Connect platform to give customers direct visibility into their own
trailer pools, turning it into a customer service tool.

“Prior to Phillips Connect, we wouldn’t have as much trust in the equipment because we
didn’t have eyes on them. With Phillips Connect, we can have more trust knowing that we
can reliably push the life of these trailers out to 15 years,” said James Grier, Director of
Fleet Service at Nussbaum Transportation.

“It all boils down to efficiency. How efficient are we being with utilizing that asset, whether
it’s operations, whether it’s maintenance, and then when it comes to the customer, how
can we put it in front of them. All of those things play into how we want to really utilize
trailer intelligence,” said Doug Bradle, Chief Operating Officer at Nussbaum
Transportation.

“Nussbaum is the kind of fleet our platform was built for. When a customer trusts the data
enough to extend their trailer life, support their compliance programs, and put that
intelligence in front of every team in the organization, the outcomes speak for themselves,”
said Rob Phillips, Founder and CEO of Phillips Connect. “None of that happens without a
real relationship behind it.”

More information on the Nussbaum Transportation can be found here.

About Phillips Connect
Phillips Connect is a leader in smart trailer technology, helping the world’s largest fleets unlock the
full value of their trailers through advanced intelligence, monitoring, and real-time visibility. The
Phillips Connect platform brings together data from sensors, cameras, and an expanding
ecosystem of integrated technologies to deliver actionable insights across trailer operations. From
the yard to the back office, teams gain a clearer view into trailer health, cargo conditions, location,
and activity, supported by built-in cargo monitoring designed to help protect freight and reduce
risk. By transforming trailer data into meaningful operational insight, Phillips Connect enables safer
operations, more efficient workflows, and more predictable performance. Headquartered in Irvine,
California, Phillips Connect provides intelligent trailer solutions for modern transportation. For
more information, visit www.phillips-connect.com.

Building Confidence in Every Mile with Nussbaum Transportation

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How Nussbaum Transportation Uses Phillips Connect to Extend Trailer Life and Drive Fleet-Wide Efficiency 

Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Hudson, Illinois, Nussbaum Transportation has built nearly 80 years of growth on a simple philosophy passed down from its founder: treat your people well, and the rest will take care of itself. Today, that philosophy shapes not just how Nussbaum manages its drivers, but how it manages its equipment. Operating nearly 600 trucks, 1,700 trailers, and roughly 540 drivers across all 48 contiguous states, Nussbaum needed more than good intentions to keep that scale running reliably. They needed visibility.

The challenge is not unique to Nussbaum, but it is acute at their size. Tractors generate a steady stream of driver input. Drivers live in them, report problems, and take ownership of their condition. Trailers are different. On any given day, two, three, four, or five different drivers might touch a single unit, with no single person accountable for its health. As Nussbaum grew from 200 to nearly 600 trucks, tracking 1,700 trailers spread across 48 states manually became unsustainable. The company also faced pressure common across the industry: new trailer purchases had slowed, making it more critical than ever to extend the useful life of the assets already in the fleet. Nussbaum made a strategic decision to push its trailer replacement cycle from 10 years to 15. That kind of confidence requires eyes on the equipment.

Read Full Success Story

What challenges did Nussbaum Transportation face before partnering with Phillips Connect?

Nussbaum struggled with visibility across a fast-growing trailer fleet. With 1,700 trailers spread across 48 states and multiple drivers touching each unit, there was no single person accountable for trailer health. Manual tracking became unsustainable, and the company needed a way to extend trailer life without sacrificing confidence in the equipment.

How does Phillips Connect help Nussbaum prevent roadside failures?

Every Nussbaum trailer runs TPMS, ABS fault monitoring, light-out detection, and wheel-end temperature monitoring through Phillips Connect. Critical alerts go directly to the roadside team around the clock, allowing them to dispatch vendors before drivers are even aware of a problem.

How has Phillips Connect impacted Nussbaum’s CSA score?

Since deploying Phillips Connect, Nussbaum has seen a significant reduction in roadside events and costs. Their CSA score has improved to the point where Nussbaum now leads its benchmark group, an outcome the team attributes largely to real-time visibility into trailer health.

How did Phillips Connect help Nussbaum extend its trailer replacement cycle?

With full visibility into the health of every trailer in the fleet, Nussbaum moved from reactive maintenance to data-driven, condition-based PM. That confidence supported a strategic decision to extend the trailer trade cycle from 10 years to 15.

How does Nussbaum use CargoVision for cargo claims and freight security?

CargoVision documents the condition of loads at pickup and delivery, creating a timestamped record that protects Nussbaum in cargo claim disputes. Combined with door sensors and geofencing, the platform provides a chain of custody that deters theft and resolves shipper disputes with documented evidence.

How does TrailerID benefit Nussbaum’s drivers and operations?

When a driver connects to a trailer, TrailerID logs the hookup automatically and flows straight into Geotab for hours-of-service compliance. This eliminates manual entry, reduces errors, and removes disputes over which driver had which trailer. This is a significant time saver across a fleet of 600 drivers.

How does Phillips Connect support Nussbaum’s customers?

Account managers use Phillips Connect dashboards to give customers real-time visibility into their trailer pools: what is loaded, what is empty, and what is DOT-healthy. Customers can set their own min/max alerts without needing to call, improving planning and reducing friction.

One Less Thing for Drivers to Worry About 

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Spend time around professional drivers, and you quickly realize how much they manage in a single shift. Traffic, tight delivery windows, inspections, yard congestion, and changing instructions. The job requires constant attention. Yet in the middle of all that, drivers are often asked to complete one more small but important task: select and confirm the trailer they’re pulling before they leave. 

On paper, that step sounds simple. In real life, it happens in busy yards, under time pressure, sometimes at the end of a long day. It’s one more screen, one more confirmation, one more opportunity for something to be entered incorrectly. And when it is, the consequences rarely stay in the cab. 

If the wrong trailer is associated with a trip, that mismatch can affect Hours-of-Service logs, trailer inspection records, dispatch visibility, load security, and even the timing of billing. A small moment at hookup can ripple across compliance, planning, operations, and finance. 

Phillips Connect TrailerID was designed to remove that friction. Instead of relying on manual selection, TrailerID automatically identifies the connected trailer at the moment it is physically hooked. Drivers do not have to choose it. They do not have to confirm it. The system reflects what actually happened. 

That change may feel minor in the cab, but it has a meaningful impact across the fleet. When trailer identification happens automatically, compliance records stay aligned with the equipment being pulled. Dispatch and planning teams can see which trailer actually left the yard. Security teams have clearer insight into when and where trailers were connected and dropped. Billing can begin based on verified events rather than waiting for follow-up. 

Under the hood, TrailerID relies on a tightly integrated hardware and software platform that detects the physical tractor-trailer connection, rather than estimating movement based on proximity alone. Drivers experience the benefit automatically through DriverAssist or integrated in-cab platforms like Geotab and Platform Science, while operations teams see the same confirmed events in Connect1. Everyone works from the same record of what actually happened. 

For drivers, the benefit is straightforward: one less manual step in a job that already demands focus. For fleets, it means fewer corrections, fewer assumptions, and a clearer picture of how trailers are moving through the network. 

Sometimes the most meaningful improvements are not flashy features. They are the quiet changes that remove friction, simplify the day, and make the rest of the operation run a little more smoothly. 

Phillips Connect TrailerID Turns Trailer Pairing into an Operational Advantage

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TrailerID removes manual steps for truck drivers while extending automated trailer identification across dispatch, planning, compliance, security and billing 

What you need to know 

  • Phillips Connect TrailerID automatically confirms which trailer is connected, removing manual trailer selection from daily driver tasks 
  • Accurate trailer identification supports compliance, job execution, load security, and billing without adding steps for drivers
  • TrailerID combines tightly integrated hardware and software to deliver dependable trailer identification fleets can rely on 

IRVINE, Calif. and LAS VEGAS – Feb. 10, 2026 – Every day, trucks pick up and drop off trailers as freight moves through yards, terminals, and customer locations. Truck drivers are often asked to confirm which trailer they are pulling, usually by selecting it on a screen before moving on. When that step is rushed, skipped, or entered incorrectly, the consequences extend far beyond the cab. The wrong information can affect safety records, inspections, dispatch decisions, load security, and even when a company can bill for the work. That seems like a small moment at hookup can quickly create costly problems across an entire fleet. 

Phillips Connect TrailerID addresses that problem by identifying the connected trailer at the moment it is hooked. Instead of relying on manual input, Trailer ID confirms the trailer connection automatically and shares that information across the systems fleets already use. The result is a simpler experience for drivers and more reliable information for the teams responsible for keeping freight moving. 

“Accurate trailer identification affects nearly every part of a fleet’s operation,” said Mark Wallin, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Product at Phillips Connect. “With TrailerID, logs stay cleaner, jobs line up with what actually happened, trailers are easier to account for, and billing is easier to start and reconcile. TrailerID removes guesswork and gives fleet teams a shared view of what’s really happening with their trailers.” 

For fleets, that same automatic trailer identification carries through to compliance activities like Hours-of-Service logging and trailer inspections. When the correct trailer is already reflected in the system, logs and inspection records stay accurate without relying on manual entry, reducing errors, rework, and the risk of compliance issues while keeping the driver experience simple. 

TrailerID also helps fleets make sure that the trailer that was planned for a job is the one that actually left the yard. When the system confirms which trailer moved, teams can quickly spot mismatches, prevent mispulls, and understand which trailers are available or sitting idle. Dispatch and planning no longer have to guess or chase down updates to know what happened. 

The same clarity carries through to security and billing. Knowing exactly when and where a trailer was dropped helps protect the load and reduce the risk of theft or fraud. It also allows billing to start based on a verified event, instead of waiting on manual confirmation or follow-up. 

TrailerID is built on a vertically integrated hardware and software platform that delivers more dependable results than methods based solely on GPS or proximity. Trailer connections are detected through the physical tractor-trailer connection using the T/T Pair connector and then validated through Phillips Connect software. Drivers experience this automatically in the cab through DriverAssist, while operations teams see the same events through Connect1 in the back office. The result is a clear record of what actually happened rather than an estimate or assumption. 

For drivers, TrailerID removes one more manual step from an already complex in-cab experience. Trailer identification happens automatically, reducing screens, selections, and the chance for error. That same pairing information is immediately available to dispatch, safety, operations, and billing teams. 

TrailerID is available through multiple in-cab environments. Fleets can access TrailerID on the DriverAssist app directly through Phillips Connect or via integrations with leading in-cab platforms, including Platform Science and Geotab’s OrderNow Marketplace.  

About Phillips Connect 

Phillips Connect smart trailer technologies help the world’s largest fleets improve operations, safety and efficiency. The Phillips Connect platform of software sensors, cameras and telematics gateway innovations provide fleet managers and operational leads with real-time visibility into their trailers’ location, tire, brakes, cargo and door statuses, and more, saving customers time and money. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Phillips Connect is part of the Phillips family of companies, celebrating nearly a century of delivering innovative, reliable solutions that keep the transportation industry moving. For more information, visit www.phillips-connect.com. 

What is Phillips Connect TrailerID?

Phillips Connect TrailerID is a solution that automatically identifies which trailer is connected to a truck at the moment of hookup, removing the need for drivers to manually select or confirm a trailer.

How does TrailerID work?

TrailerID detects the physical connection between the tractor and trailer and confirms that event through tightly integrated hardware and software, creating a verified record of trailer movement that fleets can trust.

What problem does TrailerID solve for fleets?

TrailerID eliminates errors caused by manual trailer selection, helping fleets avoid incorrect records that can affect compliance, dispatch decisions, load security, and billing.

How does TrailerID benefit drivers?

TrailerID removes one more manual task from the driver’s day by automatically identifying the trailer, reducing screens, selections, and opportunities for error in the cab.

How does TrailerID support fleet operations beyond the cab?

Verified trailer identification data from TrailerID is shared across dispatch, planning, compliance, security, and billing systems, helping teams understand what actually happened and act on accurate information.

How does TrailerID help with compliance?

By ensuring the correct trailer is automatically associated with Hours-of-Service logs and trailer inspection records, TrailerID helps keep compliance records accurate without adding extra steps for drivers.

How does TrailerID support job confirmation and planning?

TrailerID confirms which trailer actually moved, helping fleets align planned activity with real-world outcomes and maintain a clearer view of trailer availability.

How does TrailerID improve security and reduce risk?

Knowing exactly when and where a trailer was connected or dropped helps fleets protect loads, reduce theft or fraud, and investigate unexpected trailer movement.

How does TrailerID support billing?

TrailerID allows billing to begin based on verified trailer drop events rather than manual confirmation, reducing delays and reconciliation issues.

How is TrailerID different from GPS- or proximity-based trailer identification?

TrailerID relies on detecting the physical tractor-trailer connection rather than estimating proximity, making it more dependable than methods based solely on location or Bluetooth signals.

What is the relationship between TrailerID and T/T Pair?

TrailerID is the evolution of the T/T Pair capability, expanding automated trailer pairing into a software-led solution that supports multiple operational use cases across the fleet.

Where can fleets use TrailerID?

TrailerID works across multiple in-cab environments, including Phillips Connect DriverAssist and integrations with leading platforms such as Geotab and Platform Science.

Flatbed Visibility Matters: Why Location, Brakes and Tire Health Belong in the Same Conversation

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Flatbed trailers play a critical role in freight movement. From construction materials and machinery to steel, lumber, and oversized loads, flatbeds support freight that dry vans simply cannot handle, yet flatbeds are often managed with far less visibility than dry vans, even though they operate in more demanding and less predictable environments. 

Knowing where your flatbed trailers are is essential, and knowing whether they are ready to be deployed is just as important. Location, brake health, and tire condition all determine whether a flatbed can be dispatched safely and efficiently. 

Why Flatbed Trailers are Harder to Manage 

Flatbed trailers are typically operated outside the structured trailer pool models common with dry vans. They are frequently staged at job sites, ports, rail yards, or customer locations as part of loading, unloading, or project-based workflows. These trailers may remain stationary for extended periods, be repositioned locally, or transition between assignments without returning to a centralized yard. 

During these idle or low-visibility periods, mechanical issues can develop without immediate awareness from operations or maintenance teams. 

Common challenges include: 

  • Trailers that appear available but are not mechanically ready to move 
  • Brake or tire issues discovered only at dispatch or during pre-trip inspection 
  • Time lost locating specific trailers across large or nontraditional staging areas 
  • Increased safety exposure when trailers sit unattended without visibility into their condition 

Without real-time insight into both location and health, fleets are forced to rely on assumptions that introduce delays, inefficiencies, and added cost. 

How Large Flatbed Fleets Reduce Search Time and Improve Readiness 

For fleets that manage large numbers of flatbed trailers, visibility across yards, customer sites, and staging areas is one of the biggest operational challenges. Flatbeds are often spread across expansive properties or remote locations, making manual searches inefficient and inconsistent.  

Ocean Trailer, which operates one of the largest full-service trailer fleets in Western Canada, faced this challenge as its rental fleet grew. With yards spanning dozens of acres and thousands of trailers cycling through rental, lease, and maintenance states, locating specific units became increasingly difficult using traditional processes alone. 

By implementing connected trailer visibility solutions from Phillips Connect, Ocean Trailer gained the ability to pinpoint trailer locations within large yards and across distributed sites, down to specific rows or sections. This reduced the time spent searching for equipment and improved turnaround speed when trailers were returned, reassigned, or prepared for the next customer.  

For flatbed operations, where trailers are frequently staged outside traditional dock environments, this level of location accuracy is especially valuable. 

That same visibility becomes even more valuable when paired with insight into brakes and tires, helping teams understand not just where a flatbed is, but whether it’s ready to move. 

Why Brake and Tire Data Matters More for Flatbeds 

Flatbed trailers often experience harsher duty cycles than dry vans. Heavier loads, uneven weight distribution, exposure to weather, and long periods of sitting can all accelerate wear on brakes and tires. 

Many brake issues and tire pressure develop while a trailer is parked. Without monitoring, those problems surface late, either during dispatch preparation or after a roadside event. 

Brake and TPMS data help fleets: 

  • Identify ABS faults before a trailer is assigned 
  • Detect slow tire leaks that develop while trailers sit idle 
  • Avoid dispatching drivers to retrieve trailers that are not roadworthy 
  • Reduce roadside repairs and unplanned downtime 

For flatbeds that may sit for days or weeks between moves, this data closes a critical readiness gap. 

Turning Flatbeds into Ready Assets Instead of Question Marks 

When location data is combined with brake and tire health, flatbeds stop being unknown quantities. Operations teams can see which trailers are available, where they are, and whether they are mechanically fit for service. 

This supports: 

  • Faster dispatch decisions 
  • Fewer last-minute maintenance surprises 
  • Reduced empty miles and unnecessary repositioning 
  • Safer equipment entering active service 

Supporting Utilization Across Mixed Fleets 

Many fleets operate both dry vans and flatbeds. Without consistent visibility into both location and health, flatbeds often lag in utilization simply because their readiness is harder to assess.  

Brake and TPMS data provide an objective way to evaluate readiness across all trailer types. Over time, this insight helps fleets plan maintenance more effectively, balance equipment usage, and make better capital decisions. 

The Bottom Line: Flatbed Visibility Must Go Beyond Location 

Knowing where flatbed trailers are is foundational. Knowing whether they can safely move freight is what makes that visibility operationally useful.  

Location, brake health and tire condition together give fleets a clearer picture of readiness, risk, and utilization. For flatbeds that operate in open environments and demanding conditions, this combined visibility is no longer optional. 

Flatbeds deserve the same level of insight fleets already expect from dry vans, if not more.  

How is your fleet assessing flatbed readiness today, and where could better visibility into brakes and tires reduce delays or downtime? 

Why is flatbed trailer visibility more complex than dry vans? 

Flatbed trailers often operate outside structured trailer pool environments. They are staged at job sites, ports, rail yards, and customer locations and may sit idle between assignments. This makes it harder to know both where a flatbed is and whether it is mechanically ready without real-time visibility. 

Why is knowing the flatbed trailer location not enough? 

Location alone does not indicate readiness. Brake and tire conditions can change while a flatbed is stationary. Without insight into brake health and tire pressure, fleets may assume a trailer is available only to discover issues during dispatch preparation or pre-trip inspection. 

How do brake alerts help flatbed operations? 

Brake alerts identify ABS faults and other brake issues while a trailer is idle or between assignments. This allows maintenance teams to address problems during planned downtime rather than reacting to issues at dispatch or after a roadside event. 

Why is TPMS especially important for flatbed trailers? 

Flatbeds often carry heavier or uneven loads and may sit for extended periods. Slow tire leaks can develop without detection. TPMS data helps fleets identify pressure loss early and prevent tire damage, delayed dispatches, or unplanned downtime. 

What changes when flatbed location and health data are combined? 

When fleets can see where flatbeds are staged and whether brakes and tires are in acceptable condition, they can assess readiness before assigning a driver. This leads to faster dispatch decisions, fewer aborted pickups, improved maintenance planning, and safer equipment entering service. 

Phillips Connect and McLeod Software Advance Fleet Operations Through Smart Trailer Integration

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IRVINE, Calif. – Jan. 21, 2026 – Every blind spot in a fleet costs time, money and customer trust. For decades, trailers have been treated as boxes on wheels, essential but invisible to the in-cab and back-office software platforms that power fleet operations. Phillips Connect is changing that with its new integration with McLeod Software, bringing real-time smart trailer insights, including trailer tire, lights and brake health, location, and advanced AI-powered cargo intelligence directly into the McLeod Transportation Management System (TMS). The result gives fleets a clearer and more complete picture of their operations.

This integration marks the first step in a broader Phillips Connect platform strategy focused on giving fleets seamless access to smart trailer insights inside the systems they already depend on. As more TMS providers, fleet management platforms, and operational systems embrace connected trailers, Phillips Connect is committed to helping fleets work within their existing software tools rather than around them. The goal is simple: provide every fleet with the trailer intelligence they need, no matter what software ecosystem they use.

“Having Phillips Connect smart trailer data flow directly into McLeod has been a game-changer for us,” said Mike Narkys, President of MNS1, the first fleet to successfully test and complete the McLeod-Phillips Connect data integration. “Our planners and dispatchers can see inside every trailer, understand how much space is left and decide quickly which trailers are ready to deploy, and which need to be repositioned. The Phillips Connect integration with McLeod helps us turn loads faster, reduce empty moves and put our trailers to work where they make the most impact for our customers and our drivers.”

Instead of operating with limited visibility, fleets running McLeod and Phillips Connect gain real-time insight into trailer location and next-level cargo intelligence. Phillips Connect CargoVision uses an AI-powered camera to show planners and dispatchers exactly what is inside the trailer and how much space remains, complete with volumetric measurements that support accurate load planning. For partial shipments and multi-stop operations, this level of visibility turns trailers into capacity-aware assets that can be routed, filled and utilized with greater efficiency. By surfacing this intelligence inside McLeod, fleets gain sharper visibility into their operations and a more effective way to improve utilization.

“With the Phillips Connect integration mutual customers gain cargo visibility and real-time trailer location inside McLeod,” said Ahmed Ebrahim, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Integrations at McLeod Software. “This provides our customers with stronger insight into their networks and helps them plan more effectively across their fleet.”

“Trailers become active contributors to fleet strategy when data such as tire, lights and brake health, cargo intelligence, and location are accessible in the platforms they already rely on,” said Todd Hodges, Director of Product Management for Phillips Connect. “This integration is the first of many that will help fleets bring their trailer intelligence forward, no matter what software platforms they use to run their business.”

The Phillips Connect and McLeod integration is available now for fleets across North America. Phillips Connect helps fleets maximize their ROI on every trailer, every load, and every mile, turning visibility into a competitive advantage.

About Phillips Connect

Phillips Connect smart trailer technologies help the world’s largest fleets improve operations, safety and efficiency. The Phillips Connect platform of software sensors, cameras and telematics gateway innovations provide fleet managers and operational leads with real-time visibility into their trailers’ location, tire, brakes, cargo and door statuses, and more, saving customers time and money. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Phillips Connect is part of the Phillips family of companies, celebrating nearly a century of delivering innovative, reliable solutions that keep the transportation industry moving. For more information, visit www.phillips-connect.com.

About McLeod Software

McLeod Software is transforming the trucking and transportation industry with the leading software for trucking dispatch operations management and freight brokerage management. McLeod’s customers use business process automation and insight from business intelligence to improve their customer service, attract and retain the best drivers, and automate their crucial business processes. For more information, visit mcleodsoftware.com

How Ocean Trailer Created a New Standard for Visibility and Utilization with Phillips Connect

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Based just outside of Vancouver in Delta, British Columbia, Ocean Trailer boasts one of the largest full-service semi-trailer fleets in Western Canada, including a rental and lease fleet of roughly 9000 units serving trucking, construction, agriculture, and port operations across North America. As a third-generation family business built on service and direct relationships, the company has expanded its footprint across a wide range of regions. That growth created a greater need for visibility, accuracy, and consistent fleet management across thousands of units.

As the fleet scaled, traditional tools introduced operational friction. Trailers were sometimes misplaced in customer yards or picked up by the wrong operator, and large storage yards made it difficult for the Ocean Trailer team to locate specific units. Hub odometers often produced unreliable mileage readings, which led to customer disputes or time-consuming corrections when trailers were returned. Customers also began requesting more visibility into the trailers they rented, which required a comprehensive software platform login Ocean Trailer could share with them for planning and utilization.

Ocean Trailer set out to find a smart trailer solution that could support reliable location tracking, accurate mileage, and a simple experience for both internal teams and customers.

After evaluating available options, the company selected Phillips Connect’s Connect1 platform and StealthNet devices. Ocean Trailer’s Chief Operating Officer, Mack Keay explained the decision this way: “We wanted something that would be easy for our people to use, reliable over the long term, and discreet on every trailer type. Phillips Connect stood out because it checked all of those boxes.” The discreet hardware design, long battery life, and ability to charge from the tractor made the solution a strong fit across the entire fleet. Today, nearly all daily rental units are visible on the Phillips Connect Connect1 platform.

The change was immediate and meaningful. Ocean Trailer’s team locate trailers quickly across yards that span dozens of acres, reducing manual searches and improving turnaround time, and customers benefit as well. Trailer Tracking and Compliance Coordinator Kyla Tappert sees this every day. “When customers can see where their trailers are at any moment, they plan their pickups and deliveries much more efficiently,” she says.

Billing accuracy also improved dramatically. Instead of relying on hub odometers, Ocean Trailer now uses precise mileage readings from Phillips Connect. Keay notes, “Mileage used to be a challenge because hub odometers fail or get damaged. Now we bill the exact miles a trailer travels, which makes the process far more accurate for us and for our customers.” Automated data flows into Ocean Trailer’s ERP system, eliminating manual entry and reducing the risk of errors which greatly simplifies month-end billing.

Trailer recovery has become easier as well. Lost or misplaced units that once went unlocated for long periods are now quickly found. As Kyla puts it, “We recover trailers now that we might never have been able to track down in the past. Being able to pinpoint a unit on the map is a real advantage.”

As Phillips Connect was integrated into daily operations, Ocean Trailer created a dedicated role to support customer adoption and data accuracy. Kyla now oversees installations, removals, customer onboarding, and account management across Western Canada. “My job has evolved into making sure every customer has what they need and every trailer is tracked properly. It has become a full-time focus, and the response from customers has been very positive,” she says.

Phillips Connect is now a foundational tool in Ocean Trailer’s rental and lease business, supporting proactive planning, better maintenance scheduling, and stronger asset utilization across the regions they serve. Mack is already thinking about the next phase of capability. “Integrating tire and suspension data through Phillips Connect and Hendrickson would be incredibly valuable for us,” he says, noting the importance of tire health and uptime for dry van and reefer equipment.

By modernizing its operations with Phillips Connect, Ocean Trailer has strengthened its customer experience, streamlined internal workflows, and positioned its fleet for continued growth. What began as a search for clearer visibility has evolved into a competitive advantage that supports the next chapter of the company’s service and innovation.

What challenges did Ocean Trailer face before adopting Phillips Connect smart trailer technology?

Ocean Trailer had issues with misplaced trailers, unreliable hub odometer readings, manual searches across large yards, and billing disputes caused by inaccurate mileage. Customers were also requesting real time visibility into the rental units they were using.

How did Phillips Connect improve visibility across Ocean Trailer’s fleet?

Phillips Connect gave Ocean Trailer real time location data on nearly all rental units, allowing staff to quickly find trailers in large yards and helping customers track the equipment they were using. The platform created a single source of truth for internal teams and rental customers.

Why did Ocean Trailer choose the Phillips Connect platform?

Ocean Trailer selected the platform because it offered discreet hardware, long battery life, reliable performance, and an intuitive user interface. The system worked consistently across all trailer types in the rental and lease fleet.

How does trailer tracking help Ocean Trailer’s customers plan their operations?

Customers can log in to see the exact location of the trailers they are using, which helps them plan pickups, deliveries, and route timing. This visibility reduces wasted time and improves overall equipment utilization.

How did Phillips Connect improve billing accuracy for Ocean Trailer?

Mileage now comes directly from the Phillips Connect platform instead of hub odometers, which were often unreliable. Automated data flows into Ocean Trailer’s ERP system ensure exact mileage is billed each month, reducing disputes and manual corrections.

What impact has Phillips Connect had on trailer recovery?

Ocean Trailer can now pinpoint the exact location of missing or misplaced trailers. Units that previously might have remained unlocated are now found quickly and returned to service.

How does dwell time tracking support better utilization for customers?

Dwell time data helps customers see whether a trailer is being used or sitting idle. This information allows them to redeploy equipment sooner or return units they no longer need.

How does Ocean Trailer use Phillips Connect to manage large yards more efficiently?

The platform allows staff to identify the precise row or section where a trailer is parked. This reduces time spent searching for equipment across yards that may span dozens of acres.

What value do customers gain from having access to trailer data?

Customers benefit from seeing where their trailers are, how they are being used, and when they need to be redeployed. This helps them plan more effectively, reduce idle time, and keep equipment productive.

How does Phillips Connect support Ocean Trailer’s maintenance and compliance needs?

The platform provides visibility into usage patterns and mileage, which helps schedule preventative maintenance more accurately. This reduces maintenance-related road calls and supports better compliance reporting.

What long-term improvements has Ocean Trailer seen from smart trailer adoption?

The company has reduced internal workload, improved billing accuracy, strengthened customer relationships, and recovered more assets. Visibility and data consistency have become foundational to daily operations.

Why is smart trailer technology important for rental and lease companies?

Rental and lease fleets depend on knowing where assets are, how they are used, and how to keep them moving. Smart trailer technology provides clarity, reduces disputes, strengthens customer trust, and supports more efficient operations at scale.