Find the asset
Last known position and periodic updates help teams locate assets across yards, sites and customer locations.
Trailers, containers and assets
Asset Tracking for Trailers and Containers
Track movable assets that may sit for long periods, change yards, move between customers or leave a geofence without notice.
Looking for the full guide? This page is an overview of unpowered asset tracking. For depth, see trailer GPS tracking (battery life against reporting frequency) and container tracking (what a steel box does to the signal).
Real buyer problems
Asset tracking is usually about knowing when to act.
Customers are often searching for a way to find trailers, containers, generators, pumps or rented assets before a delay or loss becomes expensive.
Catch movement
Movement and geofence events create an earlier reason to check a trailer, container or mobile machine.
Protect battery life
Reporting frequency should match the real operating pattern instead of draining the battery for unnecessary updates.
Mount it properly
Signal, concealment, vibration, weather and retrieval rules all affect whether the tracker works in the field.
Hardware path
Use different hardware for powered and non-powered assets.
Battery devices can fit trailers and containers with no reliable power. Wired rugged devices may be better for generators, pumps and outdoor equipment that already have a suitable power source.
FAQ
Before sourcing asset tracking hardware.
Is asset tracking the same as fleet tracking?
No. Fleet tracking usually follows powered vehicles. Asset tracking often needs battery planning, low-frequency reporting, stronger mounting and exception-based alerts.
Can containers be tracked without power?
Yes, but battery life depends on reporting interval, movement, signal conditions, temperature and where the device is mounted.
Which assets are a good fit?
Trailers, containers, generators, pumps, outdoor tools and rented equipment can be good candidates when the tracking reason and recovery process are clear.
Hardware selection
What to confirm before choosing trailer and container hardware.
The right trailer and container device depends on how the asset is powered, where it operates, what data the platform needs and which markets the unit must comply with.
Power source
Confirm whether the asset offers continuous, intermittent or no fixed power. Match a wired, battery or solar-assisted option to that supply and validate its reporting profile and service interval.
Network and coverage
LTE-M or NB-IoT may fit a low-power deployment only when the exact module, operator coverage, bands and reporting profile are confirmed for the region. Do not assume automatic 4G fallback; validate the selected device and deployment power plan.
Interface and data
Most asset units need no machine interface beyond GNSS and a movement sensor. Add a fuel or runtime input only when the use case justifies the extra wiring.
Enclosure and installation
IP67 addresses dust and water ingress under its stated test conditions; check vibration, salt spray, mounting and cable entry separately. Magnetic or strap mounts suit temporary placement; bolt mounts suit long-term installs.
Device types
Hardware that fits trailer and container.
For trailer and container, start with the GT76 as a documented battery 4G asset candidate when no reliable fixed power is available and periodic location is the requirement. Consider a wired option such as the A300 only after stable trailer power and required machine or vehicle fields are confirmed. Check exact variant, mounting, network, battery reporting profile and platform behaviour with samples. See the Shenzhen supplier comparison for how models are shortlisted.
Compliance
Certification is confirmed per model and market.
Radio, safety and telecom certifications (for example CE, FCC, RoHS and relevant regional marks) are issued by the manufacturer for the specific model and variant. Exact coverage is checked before order; documents are provided on request for the models concerned.