What Is the Most Rented Trailer?

When carriers ask, "What trailer should I invest in?" or "What equipment is most in demand right now?" they're really asking one question:

What trailer is rented the most, and why?

Using real-world marketplace data from REPOWR's State of Trailer Utilization Report, we can answer that question with clarity rather than speculation.

The Short Answer

Dry van trailers are the most rented trailer type in the U.S. trucking market.

Across REPOWR's nationwide trailer-sharing network, dry vans account for the majority of reservations, outpacing reefers, flatbeds, and specialized equipment by a wide margin. This trend holds true across regions, seasons, and customer segments.

Why Dry Vans Dominate Trailer Rentals

Dry vans are the backbone of freight movement, and their dominance in rentals reflects that reality. Here's why they lead the pack:

They serve the widest range of freight

‍Dry vans haul everything from consumer goods and retail inventory to packaged food, building materials, and industrial freight. Because they're so versatile, they're always in demand.

Power-only freight is growing

‍Power-only operations rely on trailer access, and dry vans are the most commonly requested trailer type for these loads. This makes them especially valuable in trailer-sharing and on-demand rental models.

Seasonal demand spikes

‍During peak retail, construction, and agricultural seasons, dry van demand often outpaces owned capacity, driving short-term rentals.

They're easier to deploy nationwide

‍Unlike reefers or specialized equipment, dry vans don't require temperature controls or unique maintenance, making them easier to share across markets.

What the Data Shows

According to REPOWR's State of Trailer Utilization Report, dry vans consistently show:

• The highest reservation volume
• The broadest geographic distribution
• The shortest average idle time
• The most consistent year-round demand

This report is based on real reservation behavior, not surveys or estimates, making it especially valuable for understanding true market demand.

How Other Trailer Types Compare

While dry vans lead overall, other trailer types play important roles in the market:

Refrigerated trailers (reefers:): High demand during produce and food seasons, more specialized capabilities, higher daily rates, and shorter but more intense rental windows.

Flatbeds: Strong regional and project-based demand, commonly used in construction and industrial freight, and often rented for specific jobs rather than ongoing use.

Specialized equipment: Lower volume, higher complexity, and typically tied to niche markets or contracts.

Dry vans remain the most rented because they combine scale, flexibility, and consistency.

What This Means for Trailer Owners

If you own trailers and are considering which assets to list or expand, here's what matters:

• Dry vans offer the broadest rental demand
• They generate consistent utilization
• They're easier to reposition and redeploy
• They provide faster paths to monetization

This is why many equipment owners start with dry vans when participating in trailer-sharing networks. For a deeper look at turning idle equipment into revenue, see How to Make Money from Idle Trailers.

What This Means for Carriers and Brokers

Understanding which trailers are most rented helps with planning. Here's how:

• Expect dry vans to be most available in shared networks
• Use on-demand access to handle surge and overflow
• Avoid long-term commitments when demand is uncertain

This aligns with the broader shift toward flexible capacity outlined in On-Demand Trailer Rental in Trucking.

Why This Question Matters More in 2026

As freight becomes more volatile, equipment strategy matters as much as rate strategy. Knowing which trailers are actually moving and which are sitting idle helps fleets:

• Invest smarter
• Reduce underutilization
• Match equipment to real demand

Dry vans aren't just the most rented trailer today. They're the clearest signal of where flexibility matters most.

The most rented trailer in trucking is the dry van, by a wide margin.

Its versatility, nationwide demand, and compatibility with power-only and on-demand models make it the most consistently utilized piece of equipment in the market. For fleets, carriers, brokers, and equipment owners alike, that insight is critical as trailer access becomes more flexible, data-driven, and shared.

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