1. How do I initiate a load track via ELD?
To initiate an ELD load track, create a track in the broker platform the same way you would for a GPS/app load track. The only difference is that you need to include the carrier’s MC/docket number and the tractor and/or trailer number on the load tracking request. Depending on your TMS, we can pull the carrier’s MC number or you will need to enter it manually. If you are unsure, please feel free to reach out to support@truckertools.com. When an ELD load is successfully created, you will receive a “Load is set to ELD track” status under the Events section on the load tracking details page and in your TMS.
2. What is the status, “Load is set to ELD track”?
When a track is created, if the carrier MC number attached to the load is set up for ELD tracking, you will receive this status, “Load is set to ELD track”.
3. What is the status, “Provided asset value is not found for this carrier”?
This status means the provided tractor/trailer number is not correct and needs to be updated. Without the correct tractor/trailer number, the load can not start tracking. To view the carrier’s vehicle list and update this value to the correct format, please click “Modify ELD “ in the top right corner, click on either tractor or trailer number field, and type in the value. A drop-down list will populate with the carrier’s tractor numbers and you can select the proper value from there.
4. What is the status, “Asset value is not set”?
This status means the tractor/trailer number is missing from the load. In order for the load to initiate tracking, this value needs to be added.
5. Can I still include the driver’s phone number on the load?
Yes, our system will prioritize the load to be tracked via ELD based on the MC number sent with the load tracking request, even if the driver’s phone number is included. However, it is important to note that if the driver’s phone number is included in the load tracking information, they will still receive the load tracking request to their device and be able to view the load tracking request in the Trucker Tools app.
6. Will the driver’s app tracking interrupt the ELD tracking?
No, both can track simultaneously without interrupting each other.
7. How can I differentiate the ELD pings from the GPS/app pings?
In the load tracking details page, click the “Pings” button in the top right corner of the map. You can select “ELD” or “GPS” to filter the pings. The map will automatically display the ELD pings only unless you change the filter to view other pings.
8. How can I update the ELD tracking information?
You can update the tractor/trailer numbers and carrier information under “Modify ELD” in the top right corner. For ELD tracking, instead of displaying the driver information, you can view the ELD information for this carrier, including the ELD provider and tractor number/asset ID number for the load.
9. I keep seeing a button for “Change to ELD Tracking” or “Change to App Tracking” on some of my load tracking pages. What are these for?
Within the load tracking details page, you have the ability to switch between an ELD load and a GPS/app load.
10. Can I use my ELDs to track on loads through Trucker Tools?
Yes, you can! Trucker Tools is partnered with some of the most well-known ELD providers and with carriers’ permission can connect to ELDs for load tracking. To initiate this process, you can visit our ELD Integration page or contact eldsetup@truckertools.com / 703-955-3560.
11. What are the requirements for integrating my ELDs with Trucker Tools?
Trucker Tools works directly with you and your ELD provider to complete the integration. Each ELD provider requires different steps in order for us to connect with your ELDs. In general, we’ll need an API key/credentials and your MC number to complete the setup.
12. Is there a charge associated with setting this up?
Trucker Tools offers the integration and added service at no cost to carriers. Some ELD providers may have additional charges in order to add an integration feature to your account. Your ELD provider will notify you if there is an additional cost.
13. What if I have an ELD provider that Trucker Tools isn’t currently partnered with?
If you’re currently using an ELD provider that is not yet integrated with Trucker Tools, please send us the provider name and contact information, so that we may contact them. We are committed to increasing our network to provide the best possible experience for our customer.
14. What are the benefits to integrating my ELDs?
• No driver participation required.
• Provides an alternative tracking method if you don’t have a smartphone or supported device.
• Tracking will automatically start and stop.
• Reduces check calls.
15. How do I set up a load to track my truck’s ELD?
Once integrated, you just have to provide your MC number and tractor/trailer number to the broker. The broker will send the load track request with this information and our system will read your MC number as having an integration record with us. Our system will then prioritize the load to track via ELD and will automatically start tracking up to 4 hours prior to the scheduled pickup date.
Please be sure to provide the broker with the correct formatting for your tractor/trailer number. If you are using BigRoad as your ELD provider, please be sure to provide the broker with your person ID, instead of the tractor/trailer number.
16. Will you be able to track all of my trucks?
Trucker Tools only tracks the truck that is assigned to an active load for our broker customer. Trucks hauling loads for non-Trucker Tools customers will not be tracked.
17. What if my trucks or trailers are ELD exempt?
Integrating your ELDs with Trucker Tools is not a requirement for tracking on loads. You can also download and track via our free Trucker Tools App.
The Trucker Tools App is available on Android and iOS. It has 17+ tools and features such as parking, freight searching and booking, truck stop guide, Walmart locator, weigh scales, routing & fuel optimizer, and more.
18. What if my fleet uses more than one ELD provider?
Trucker Tools can only integrate with one provider per carrier MC number. We suggest integrating the provider that has the most trucks and using the Trucker Tools app for tracking with the remaining trucks.
19. Can I send data to Trucker Tools from my dispatch system/TMS?
In addition to GPS/app tracking and ELD integrations, we can also set up an API or FTP connection so that your dispatch system or carrier TMS can send us location updates for tracking on loads.
Please contact support@truckertools.com for further information.
20. If I integrate my ELDs with Trucker Tools, will you monitor Hours of Service?
No. While your ELD provider monitors this information, we only pull the timestamp and latitude/ longitude of the truck assigned to an active load.
21. Can I see the tracking data that is being displayed to the broker?
You can request the broker to include your email address as the carrier contact on the load. Once the load is created in the Trucker Tools system, you will receive an email with a link to access the Load Tracking page. On this page, you can view the tracking, as well as update the driver/truck information.
1. Carrier Dispatcher: What if my driver doesn’t have an iPhone or Android?
The driver needs to have an iPhone or Android phone to use the load tracking feature (and Trucker Tools App). Drivers with other phones CAN NOT use Trucker Tools app.
2. Carrier Dispatcher: Does my driver have to pay for Trucker Tools App?
No. The Trucker Tools app is FREE for the driver and provides additional features such as an accurate truck stop guide, cheapest fuel locations, real time fuel prices, truck routing, Walmart’s, rest areas, weather and much more. New features that help the driver save money and time are being added to the Trucker Tools app regularly.
3. Carrier Dispatcher: Do I need to install anything in my truck?
No. Unlike other GPS tracking systems, to use load tracking, you don’t need to install anything in your truck.
4. I’m a Carrier Dispatcher. Sometimes we assign a different driver to the load at the last minute. Can I change the driver for the load tracking?
Yes. You can update the driver’s cell phone for load tracking as long as the load tracking has not been started by the driver. To update driver’s cell phone, please click the link in the load tracking request email that you have received and enter the new driver’s cell phone number. When you update the driver’s cell phone for load tracking, the load tracking will be removed from the first driver’s phone and a text message will be sent to the new driver with the load tracking request. The new driver needs to start the load tracking on his smart phone.
5. Will the Broker see my driver’s cell phone?
Yes, If a track is initiated by the shipper or broker they absolutely will see the carriers phone number displayed in the top right corner. Brokers will also need the phone number to initiate the track.
6. What happens if my driver forgets to start the load tracking on his phone?
If your driver forgets to start the load tracking on his phone for a couple of hours until after the scheduled pickup time of the load tracking, you (Carrier Dispatcher) will receive an email notifying that the driver has not started the load tracking. At that point, you can alert the driver to start the load tracking. If the driver fails to start the load tracking within 24 hours of the scheduled pickup time of the load tracking, the load tracking will be automatically canceled by our system and a notification will be sent to the broker. Once a load tracking has been canceled, it cannot be started. The broker or shipper has to post another load tracking.
7. What happens if my driver forgets to end (or stop) the load tracking on his phone?
If your driver forgets to end (or stop) the load tracking on his phone, we will send an email to the requestor 4 hours after the scheduled delivery time asking you to alert the driver. Also, we will send a notification to the driver alerting him to end the load tracking if he has reached the destination.
8. Can only brokers/shippers create load trackinging requests? I’m a carrier and would like to use this service.
Load tracking is available for everyone. Please contact us at (703)-955-3560 or click here.
1. What about routine maintenance? Should I ever expect the app to be down for service? If so, about how long does maintenance take?
Often times we can perform routine maintenance without any interruption to service. If you experience an interruption to your normal experience let us know immediately so that we can address any issue.
2. My load tracking status is displaying “Tracking interrupted.” What causes this to happen?
There are multiple root causes of this message. It is possible that the driver disabled the location services on his/her phone, the phone lost battery, or the driver is in a region without data connectivity. In the case that the driver has lost data activity we will still ping the GPS location and can fill in the known locations once the driver re-enters a service area.
3. How can I validate the authenticity of the documents I receive via the Document Scanning feature?
We require drivers to use their camera to transmit documents, preventing them from sending a file they have already saved onto their phone. This allows you to see a time and date stamped image, with no delay in between the time that document was scanned and sent to you.
4. What happens if we change a carrier/driver on a load but have already started the track on the previous driver?
Click “Edit” next to drivers phone number and enter the new drivers phone number. Once you click “submit” it will either start tracking the driver if they already have the app downloaded or it will send a setup request to the new driver.
5. The driver says that he/she doesn’t want to download your app or doesn’t want me to track them. How can I encourage them to download your app and let me see their location.
Let the driver know that our app has many useful features that are designed to benefit them on the road. They can find the nearest truck wash or weigh scale, get diesel prices for their planned route or find their next load with your company. You can also ease their concern by making sure that they know we are only tracking them when they are carrying a shipment for one of our broker partners and they can always pause or end a track. Remind the driver that you want to see their location so that you don’t have to bug them when they are driving, sleeping or enjoying a much deserved break.
1. What is load tracking?
Using load tracking, the driver can track the load that he/she is hauling for the broker, shipper or carrier dispatcher. The driver decides when to start and end the track and the brokers, shipper or carrier dispatcher will see the route maps with the location points for that route. The driver is always in control.
2. How does it work?
The Broker or Shipper will enter the Load details on our website along with the Carrier Dispatcher’s email. A text message will be sent to the Driver with the load tracking request. If the Driver doesn’t have the Trucker Tools app on his/her smart phone, he/she will be prompted to download the Trucker Tools app. When the Driver picks up the load, he/she needs to open the Trucker Tools app and click the load tracking button and start the corresponding load tracking. When the load is delivered, the driver will click the End Track button to end the load tracking. Emails and optional text messages will be sent to the Carrier Dispatcher and Broker when the driver starts and ends the load tracking. The Driver decides when to start and end the load tracking and he/she is always in control.
3. What do I need to use load tracking?
If you are a:
a) Broker/Shipper: A computer with internet connection to post the load tracking requests on our website. An email address to receive emails when the driver starts and ends the load tracking.
b) Carrier Dispatcher: A computer with internet connection and an email address to receive the load tracking request email when the Broker/Shipper posts a load tracking request.
c) Driver: You need to have an iPhone or Android phone with texting service, data plan and GPS turned ON. You will receive a text message with the details of the load tracking request on your phone. You will need to download the FREE Trucker Tools app from the iTunes App store or Android Play Store. The load tracking is part of the Trucker Tools App.
4. I’m a driver – Do I need to have a smart phone to use load tracking?
Yes. You need to have an iPhone or Android phone and download the FREE Trucker Tools App to use the load tracking feature. Load tracking is part of Trucker Tools app. Trucker Tools App is available for the following operating systems and phones. iOS: version 8.2 and up Android: version 4.0 and up
5. Do I need to have a smart phone to see the load tracking route map?
No. When the driver starts the load tracking, you will receive an email and an optional text message with the link to the route map for the load tracking. Click the link to see the route map and load tracking details in the standard browsers (Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer etc) on your computer.
6. Trucker Tools App & load tracking is supported on what phones?
The Trucker Tools App is available for the following operating systems and phones.
iOS: version 8.2 and up Android: version 4.0 and up
7. Driver: Is my phone tracked all the time? Who controls when to start and stop the track?
No. Your phone is not tracked without your permission. You, as the driver, will start and end the load tracking when you pick up and deliver the load. The app starts the track only when you click the Start button for load tracking and ends when you click the End or Pause button. The app will not track your location during other times and NEVER without your permission. With load tracking, you, the Driver, are always in control. In the event you are tracking a carrier with an ELD integration, that truck will be tracked whenever the ELD is turned on, and functioning properly. The ELD provider has control over turning the device on or off.
8. Driver: Do I need to have a data plan on my iPhone or Android to use load tracking?
Yes. You need to have a data plan on your phone to use load tracking and Trucker Tools App.
9. Driver: Will load tracking use up a significant part of my data plan?
No. Load tracking uses only a very minor fraction of your data plan.
10. Driver: When I run load tracking, will it drain my phone’s battery?
No. Unlike other GPS tracking products, we have optimized load tracking to only use a very small fraction of your battery.
11. Do I need to turn my phone’s GPS setting ON to use load tracking?
Yes. You need to turn ON the GPS setting on your smart phone to use load tracking.
12. What is the accuracy of load tracking location points and the route?
Load tracking is very accurate. The location points are accurate within a few feet. The GPS on the driver’s cell phone may impact the accuracy of the location points. Some areas of the country have weaker cell phone coverage which could affect the accuracy.
13. If the driver is talking on the phone, will load tracking still work?
Yes. Load tracking will still track his/her location if he/she is in the 4G coverage area and if his/her smart phone allows it. Some older smart phones will not allow the tracking when the user is talking on the phone. In any case, the app will continue to track after the driver hangs up the phone call. Again, the app will only track if the driver starts the load tracking and continues to track until the driver ends the track. The driver controls when to start and end the track.
14. Driver: Can I use the Trucker Tools App’s other features while running a load tracking?
Yes. You can use the Trucker Tools App as normal. load tracking runs in the background. Load tracking tracks your location ONLY when you start a load tracking and UNTIL you end the load tracking. You, the driver, are always in control.
15. Driver: Do I need to have the Trucker Tools App open on my phone for load tracking to track the location points?
No. You don’t need to keep the Trucker Tools App open to track a load. The app will track even when the Trucker Tools app is closed, or sent to background or when the phone is locked. The app will track as long as the phone is NOT switched off. Of course, you can continue to use the Trucker Tools app for other things such as finding a truck stop, see routing, check weather, etc. load tracking will be in the background and will NOT interfere with you normal usage of the Trucker Tools app.
16. Driver: What happens if my phone dies while load tracking is running?
No problem. Just start the phone as you charge it. There is no need for you to launch the Trucker Tools app or do anything with load tracking. When your phone restarts, the app will automatically restart tracking the load. Note: load tracking cannot track the location points when your phone is switched off (or powered down or in airplane mode).
17. Driver: What do I need to do if I restart the phone while load tracking is running?
Upon restarting the phone, the GPS functionality will be briefly shut down. The duration will vary based off of how long the start up cycle takes on the phone. Once is has restarted, the Trucker Tools app will automatically restart the load tracking.
18. What is the difference between Pause and End Track buttons?
Pause track button will pause (stop) the track and should be used when you take the regulated break. A paused load tracking can be re-started. End track will end (stop) the track and set the status of the load tracking as completed and should be used only when the load has been delivered. A completed load tracking cannot be restarted. When the driver ends the load tracking an email and an optional text message will be sent to the broker and the carrier dispatcher notifying that the load tracking has been completed along with the link to the route map.
19. Who will see the route map?
The following people will see the route map:
a) The broker, shipper or carrier dispatcher who create the load tracking request for the load.
b) Carrier dispatcher
c) If you have sent the route map to other interested parties, they will see the route map.
Again, these people will see the route map for ONLY that load tracking. They can’t see your other load trackings.
20. Driver: Can I send my route map to someone?
If you are driver and want to send the route map to someone, you can do so using the “Send Route” button on the Active load tracking. Just enter the email address on the Send Route form and they will get an email with the link to that route. They will only see the route map for that route and not for other routes.
21. Who can cancel the load tracking?
There are three ways to cancel a load tracking. As long as the driver has not started the load tracking, it can be canceled by:
a) The broker or shipper who created the load tracking request using our websites that they used to post the load tracking request.
b) The carrier dispatcher can cancel the load tracking using the link in the load tracking request email that he/she has received.
c) Our automated system. If a load tracking has not been started by the driver within 24 hours of the pickup time, the system will automatically cancel the load tracking and notify the broker who created the load tracking. Once the driver starts a load tracking, it cannot be canceled.
22. If the driver’s truck breaks down or has a problem while tracking the load can I assign it to another driver?
If the load tracking has not been started by the driver, you can change the driver for the load tracking using the link in the load tracking request email that you have received. However, if the driver has started the load tracking, he/she has to move the track to another driver using the Trucker Tools app on his phone. The driver needs to use the “Re-Assign Track” feature in the load tracking. To re-assign the track, the driver needs to launch the Trucker Tools app on his/her phone and click the load tracking button on the dashboard. On the load tracking screen, he/she needs to select the active load trackings and scroll down. Click the Re-Assign button and enter the new driver’s cell phone number on the Re-Assign Track page. A text message will be sent to the new driver and the new driver needs to download the Trucker Tools app on his smart phone and start the load tracking. Once the first driver re-assigns an Active load tracking, it will be removed from that driver’s phone.
23. Who pays for load tracking?
The Brokers or Shipper who entered the load tracking request pays for it.
24. How much does it cost?
Load tracking is included for free with a Smart Capacity contract. For a load tracking contract only, it can run as low as $1 per track (pricing based on volume)
25. Do I need a TMS integration in order to use load tracking?
No, you can have access to load tracking and manage all of your tracks manually without establishing an FTP connection between your TMS and Trucker Tools.
26. I know the track I am creating will be useful at another time. Can I save it?
Yes. After clicking “Create a Track,” scroll down to the bottom, and check the box that says “Save the load details as a template for future use.” This will save the information you have entered for your track, so that you can replicate it at another time.
1. Where does the data come from?
Data is pulled from a combination of resources. They are trucks posted to us by our carrier network, their broker partners through email parsing and load arrival data, and intelligence collected by us via the use of the Trucker Tools driver application.
2. How quickly is information updated from the TMS?
Standard refresh is anywhere from 5 – 10 minutes.
3. What happens if I need to re-assign a load?
All communication is TMS driven. So how it appears in your TMS is how it will display or report to the Smart Capacity application.
4. When I setup a new carrier do they get added to my Smart Capacity network?
Yes, carriers are updated to your network daily. Any carriers added to network today will be available to you on future loads.
5. What data from me are you sharing with other brokers?
Only data shared between brokers is potential capacity that will become available after falling out of “Active Dibs”. Also, load to truck ratio for general market health.
6. What is the refresh rate for global information?
All data is refreshed on 5-10 minute intervals.
7. How are load details shared between users?
By default each user has visibility to all loads on your platform. We are however able to provide permissions based off individual needs of the customer.
8. Do we need a full integration to use Smart Capacity?
Yes in short you will need a full integration with you TMS in order to use Smart Capacity. At this time there is no user interface to manually add loads. If you were manually entering the loads you wouldn’t be experiencing the full value. The real power comes from that integration two things happen:
1) we are always connected to all of the loads and really getting everything posted
2) We have the ability to see when you’re posting a load and clean up that data
So if you were manually entering the loads you lose that functionality if you aren’t fully integrated.
9. What is the date range in which we are showing the carriers historical availability?
We show who has posted in that area in the last 90 days under the historical availability tab
10. What does the “Verified” column mean within the freight matching menu?
Every 5 minutes, Trucker Tools updates the whereabouts of all available capacity on the platform. Some of the methods we use to determine this are by adding new trucks via email parsing, and verifying when working trucks have delivered freight.