One of the clearest opportunities for asset tracking technology is trailer utilization. Fleets often maintain larger trailer pools to accommodate changing capacity as needed. But without real-time visibility into asset movement and usage, many end up with more equipment than they need, tying up valuable capital.

“Most fleets are covering three to four times the number of trailers they actively use,” Wootten said. Considering trailers can cost between $15,000 and $100,000, according to Norstar, that surplus stock adds up to a significant investment. 

By increasing visibility into where trailers are deployed and how frequently they’re used, fleets can optimize their trailer pools and reduce excess capacity. Wootten said Geotab has seen customers defer $3 million to $4 million in capital spending by improving trailer utilization.

Fleets are also using connected trailer data to address maintenance challenges before they become costly roadside events.

Refrigerated trailers need even more continuous monitoring because they are active assets with refrigeration systems, sensors, and onboard controls.

Scott Blair, associate director of telematics at Carrier Transicold, said telematics gives fleets visibility beyond location, helping them detect potential issues before they threaten temperature-sensitive freight.

“Instead of discovering a temperature excursion or mechanical issue after it happened, fleets can identify problems early and respond before they put a perishable load at risk,” Blair said.

Tire health has also emerged as one of the strongest examples, with fleets using connected sensors and monitoring systems to identify failures before they occur.

“Tire health and cargo intelligence tend to generate the clearest, fastest ROI,” Wallin said. “Preventing a single blowout—along with the service call, downtime, and delivery disruption that typically follow—often justifies the TPMS [tire pressure monitoring system] technology cost on its own.”

But maintenance is only one area where fleets are applying trailer intelligence. Asset tracking data is also helping operators identify inefficiencies in how trailers move through the supply chain.

By combining real-time location data with geofencing and automated alerts, fleets can track how long trailers stay at specific facilities and identify when delays begin affecting operations. This information enables fleet managers to address bottlenecks and reduce detention-related costs while improving trailer availability.

Wootten said some customers have saved $50,000 to $75,000 annually with smart dwell-time alerts that notify teams when trailers approach thresholds that could trigger detention fees.

Connected asset data is also helping fleets streamline day-to-day operations. Hill said fleets are using connected trailer data to reduce yard searches, improve dispatch decisions, and avoid unnecessary equipment rentals or replacement purchases.

The technology is also helping fleets gain visibility into non-powered and infrequently used equipment. For example, Road Ready recently introduced TrackRR Lite, a battery-powered asset tracking device built for trailers, storage containers, and other specialized equipment. The wire-free device transmits GPS location updates over secure LTE-M networks and is designed to operate for years on a single battery. It lets fleets balance reporting frequency with battery life, making asset tracking practical for equipment that doesn’t need a full telematics system.

Blair explained that refrigerated fleets are seeing similar benefits by combining multiple operational data points, including trailer location, temperature, fuel levels, battery health, and equipment status, into a single view.

“Location is important, but so is knowing whether the reefer unit has fuel, whether the battery is healthy, and whether it’s maintaining the right temperature,” Blair said. “Fleets use that complete picture to prioritize maintenance, send a technician before a failure occurs, reduce unnecessary yard checks, and have fewer surprises.” 

As fleets collect more data from asset tracking technology, the next challenge is using that information to anticipate issues before they occur.

The next evolution: AI and predictive intelligence

For fleet operators, the value of connected trailer data will increasingly come from what they can predict—not just what they can see at any given time.

Artificial intelligence (AI), unsurprisingly, is becoming a key enabler of that shift. Using AI, fleets can analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns that help operators act faster and more effectively.

Hill said AI delivers the most value when it helps fleets move from identifying issues to addressing them rather than simply surfacing more information.

“AI is most valuable when it helps fleets get to the next-best action, not just the next data point,” he said.

Instead of forcing managers to comb through dashboards, AI can surface unusual asset movements, excessive dwell times, underutilized equipment, and other operational inefficiencies that need attention.

“AI cannot operate without rich data,” Wootten said. “The companies that are going to win are the companies that can capture that data across multiple points in the fleet and combine those to provide better outcomes.” 

According to Wootten, unifying data from trailers, tractors, cargo, and other fleet systems will enable AI models to move beyond visibility into predictive applications. These include forecasting maintenance needs, identifying operational efficiencies, and even helping fleets recognize conditions that could increase cargo theft risk before an incident occurs.

Wallin sees a similar shift taking place. Instead of simply collecting more trailer data, fleets are looking for platforms that can automatically turn that information into actionable business insights.

“The most meaningful shift over the next three to five years will be the move from data collection to intelligent decision-making,” Wallin said. “AI-driven anomaly detection, predictive maintenance triggers, and tighter integration between trailer intelligence and transportation management systems will make that data practical at scale in ways it simply hasn’t been before.”

For fleets, the future of asset tracking lies in turning connected asset data into intelligence that helps operators anticipate challenges and optimize fleetwide performance. As trailer, vehicle, driver, safety, and maintenance data become increasingly connected, fleets will be better equipped to act earlier, operate more efficiently, and unlock more value from every asset they manage.