Deadhead
Logistics Term
What’s a Deadhead?
A Deadhead truck is a truck attached to a trailer but doesn’t carry any freight. Deadheading refers to driving a semi-truck or cargo-carrying truck pulling an empty trailer. Deadheading is mostly observed when a trucker returns an empty cargo container back to the point of origin. This is also referred to as backhauling. Deadheading is different from bobtailing; the latter refers to carrying cargo on a truck without a trailer attachment. This mode of shipping is referred to as deadhead miles in matters of payment. Despite their inability to earn, it requires payment for the wear and tears on trucks and fuel. Normally, deadhead miles aren’t paid for except in some cases where they choose to pay for the first 100 miles.
Challenges of Deadheading
There are concerns with deadheading as it carries a number of risks and challenges. They include encounters with severe weather conditions such as black ice and high winds. Additionally, heavy traffic is among the inevitable challenges. This dictates the extreme need for precaution against accidents. Truckers deadheading without cargo are more vulnerable to such bottlenecks. Due to the financial setbacks associated with deadheading, there are various ways to reduce it. These are by selecting loads requiring return materials, looking for deadhead mileage on jobs, planning trips beforehand, and employing load boards.
