When it comes to the general freight trucking industry, most people don't realize the diversity.
Power only trucking is the general freight trucking industry term for providing the tractor to haul another's trailer. Freight companies that provide power only service are used for a variety of hauling jobs where the customer has a trailer that needs to be moved but is either unable or unwilling to haul the trailer using his own equipment.
An exhibit trailer is another example. The same general freight trucking criteria apply here as the exhibit will often be moved to a site and the exhibit will be set up and remain in place for an indefinite period of time. Once again, the cost of purchasing a tractor and hiring a driver to move the exhibit into place, and then remaining idle would be too much. The power only hauler can deliver the trailer to its new location, and then go on to other work, returning when the cargo is ready to be moved again.
Disaster relief organizations use general freight trucking ready packed trailers in the same manner. The trailers are loaded with emergency supplies and stand ready to respond to a disaster. The cost of maintaining tractors and drivers who would be idle until a disaster strikes would certainly be prohibitive. The relief organization, instead, hires power only haulers to transport the trailers to where they are needed, just when they are needed.
General freight trucking power only haulers usually have special tractors equipped with sliding 5th wheels that can easily be adapted to any trailer configuration and turning clearance. Many power only haulers do not restrict their business to this form of general freight trucking, but use their drivers and rigs for routine hauling jobs while maintaining a reserve of drivers to take on jobs when they are needed.