10 Best GPS Trackers for Trailers Chosen by Our Experts [2024]

In this article, we’re going to list some of the best GPS trailer trackers you can find on the market. 

GPS asset trackers are supposed to be an easy and safe way to increase the efficiency of your business and give you a constant live position of your trailers. 

And with the price of diesel rising by 31% per gallon between February 2020 and June 2024, it is even more important to manage your fleet in the best possible way.

Still, as you may have experienced, the GPS tracker installed on your trailer can:

• Go offline for hours. 
• Disrupt your working day because you’re worried about losing your precious cargo.
• Require you to constantly check other trailer trackers. Make you sit for hours, google them, call different companies, check their manufacturing standards, and more.

It’s worth noting that the above problems – going offline for hours, worrying a lot and researching new asset trackers – are not limited to a specific type of trailer, but apply equally to small, medium and large trailers, and even other fleet vehicles you may need to track. 

To solve these problems once and for all, you need to choose a reliable GPS tracker. 

That’s what our team set out to do when we decided to develop ORCA, TEKTELIC’s asset tracker. 

It gives your team real-time visibility of the location and condition of your trailers and fleet vehicles. But it also helps you to proactively plan maintenance and improve operational efficiency.

During the past 15 years a number of logistics companies have already chosen our trailer GPS tracker as they understand the value of having a high-quality solution.

In this article we’ll take a closer look at how our GPS tracker for trailers and fleet vehicles works and why it’s so effective. 

We’ll also list some other GPS trailer trackers that may make more sense for your specific situation. We have selected trackers based on their great performance, ease of integration, and positive feedback from industry professionals.

How did we choose these GPS trailer trackers?

At TEKTELIC, asset tracking is one of our main focus areas. All our products are created to solve real-life problems. Our engineers have spent a long time and effort developing and improving our trackers to meet the needs and high expectations of our customers. 

Understanding the main technical requirements and business challenges, we know which features are crucial for making the right decision when purchasing a GPS tracker for trailers.

Let’s review the main features to focus on:

Rugged Design: GPS tracking devices for trailers should be ready to operate in harsh environments. TEKTELIC ORCA tracker is IP67 rated and built for deployment on mobile industrial assets like trucks, trains, and heavy equipment. It can reliably operate within a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, giving you peace of mind.

Long Battery Life: Our low-power solutions offer a battery life of 5+ years using widely available batteries, ensuring continuous and reliable operation with reduced maintenance costs.

Event-Based Tracking: It’s very crucial when trackers can be configured to start tracking or increase reporting frequency when the asset is in motion. This feature greatly reduces power consumption and enhances battery life.

Autonomous Configuration: With TEKTELIC trackers you can configure and reconfigure devices autonomously from the Network Server or Configuration Server. You can also manage reporting intervals, thresholds, and alarms, tailoring the trackers to their specific needs.

Simple Onboarding: You would like to easily onboard trackers in seconds, without any special technical expertise. All TEKTELIC’s customers could use LeapX application for quick deployment and ease of use.

List of 10 Best GPS Tracker for Trailer

1. TEKTELIC ORCA – The BEST GPS Asset Tracker for Your Trailer 

ORCA is a robust LoRaWAN® connected solution developed for industrial asset management. This industrial asset tracker offers precise GPS capabilities suitable for various applications such as tracking shipping containers, pallets, railcars, fleet vehicles, and industrial equipment. 

Featuring a rugged IP67 design and a remarkable 5-year battery life, the ORCA ensures reliable performance for trailer tracking in any environment. 

Now, let’s dive into its versatile range of use cases:

• Industrial Equipment: Provides real-time location tracking, ensuring equipment is used efficiently and returned on time.
• Shipping Containers: Monitors the movement of containers, preventing loss and ensuring timely delivery.
• Railcars: Tracks railcars across long distances, offering reliable data on location and status.
• Fleet Vehicles: Manages fleet tracking operations for trucks with precise tracking, improving route planning and reducing operational costs.

When developing ORCA, we kept in mind the pressing needs of industrial operations. Designed to withstand harsh conditions, it ensures continuous tracking of valuable equipment, mitigating the risk of unplanned downtime and loss. 

With ORCA, your assets are in safe hands, empowering your business with efficiency and reliability.

FEATURES:

• Rugged Design: Designed with ruggedness and boasting an IP67 rating, ORCA  is engineered for use on mobile industrial assets in demanding environments, such as trucks, trains, and heavy equipment. ORCA is a waterproof GPS trailer tracker and can endure extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to +85°C during operation.
• Long Battery Life: Low-power solution with a 5+ year battery life ensures continuous and reliable operation and reduced maintenance costs.
• Outdoor and Indoor Asset Tracking: Integrated GPS for precise outdoor positioning, with BLE functionality for continuous tracking as assets moving between indoor and outdoor environments.
• Event-based Startup: Device can be configured to only track (or increase reporting frequency) when the asset is moved/in-motion. Greatly reduces power consumption.
• Simple Onboarding & Autonomous Configuration: The Device can be onboarded in seconds by anyone regardless of their technical expertise with TEKTELIC LeapX application. Users can configure and re-configure the device parameters such as reporting interval, thresholds and alarms autonomously from the Network Server or Configuration Server.
• Interoperable Solution: Integrates with TEKTELIC Locus application for asset visualization , and API is available for integration with any 3rd party Real Time Location Tracking application.

PROS OF TEKTELIC INDUSTRIAL GPS ASSET TRACKER:

• GPS & BLE for Outdoor and Indoor environments
• IP67 rated
• Operation Temperature -40°C to +85°C
• 5+ Year Battery Life
• Can be Integrated with TEKTELIC or 3rd Party Network Servers.

CONS OF TEKTELIC INDUSTRIAL GPS ASSET TRACKER:

• Larger Size

2. TEKTELIC OUTDOOR ASSET TRACKER STORK

STORK is perfect for tracking vehicles, equipment, and other assets in any environment. Its versatile mounting options let you attach it directly to your trailer, making it easy and reliable to track assets on the move. 

Thanks to the low-power capabilities of LoRa Edge™, STORK offers LoRaWAN® long-range connectivity, Low-Power GNSS, BLE, and WiFi positioning. Plus, its extended battery life ensures you always know the exact location of your trailer or any other assets.

STORK is a best choice for providing precise asset tracking solutions across various industries, including:

• Construction Sites: Keep tabs on equipment and materials to reduce the risk of theft and unauthorized use.
• Manufacturing Facilities: Track machinery and tools to optimize maintenance schedules and boost operational efficiency.
• Warehouses: Monitor inventory movements and streamline logistics processes to minimize errors and downtime.
• Multi-Building Campuses: Manage assets across multiple locations to enhance security and improve asset utilization.

With its rugged IP67 design, over 5 years of battery life, and easy integration, STORK offers unmatched reliability and flexibility in real time tracking, delivering significant benefits to businesses across various industries.

FEATURES

• Accurate Outdoor and Indoor Asset Tracking: Integrated low-power GNSS for battery efficient outdoor positioning of assets on the move with BLE and Wi-Fi sniffing functionality for tracking indoors.
• Long Battery Life & Versatile Power Options: Low-power solution powered with a 5+ year battery life, or can be connected to a 12V power supply for continuous powering in a vehicle ensuring continuous and reliable operation and reduced maintenance costs.
• Rugged Design: IP67 Design with Operation Temperature ranging between -40°C to +85°C, Ideal for assets being tracked in any indoor or outdoor environment.
• Event-based startup: Device can be configured to only track (or increase reporting frequency) when the asset is moved/in-motion. Greatly reduces power consumption.
• Simple Onboarding & Interoperable Solution : Can be onboarded in seconds by anyone regardless of their technical expertise with TEKTELIC LeapX application. Integrates with TEKTELIC application, and API is available for integration with any 3rd party Real Time Location Tracking application.

PROS OF TEKTELIC OUTDOOR ASSET TRACKER STORK:

• Low-Power GNSS for power efficient Outdoor Positioning
• BLE & Wi-Fi Sniffing for Accurate Indoor Positioning
• Rugged IP67 Design
• Operation Temperature -40°C to +85°C
• 5+ Year Battery Life with optional 12V External Power Supply

CONS OF TEKTELIC OUTDOOR ASSET TRACKER STORK:

• Non-Rechargeable batteries

What is the best way to track a stolen trailer? The best way to track a stolen trailer is to equip it with a GPS tracker that offers real-time location monitoring and geofencing features. This allows you to receive instant alerts if the trailer moves outside a set area, enabling quick response and recovery by providing exact location data to the police.

3. Abeeway Industrial Tracker

The Abeeway Industrial Tracker is a robust, multi-mode device equipped with various geolocation technologies for accurate tracking in challenging industrial environments.

Pros:

• 12 Months of Data Storage
• 7 Year battery life
• GPS, Low-power GPS, Wi-Fi , & BLE for outdoor and indoor location.

Cons:

• Does not meet IP67 rating
• 3rd party network server integration can be complex

4. Digital Matter G62

Robust and ultra-rugged vehicle and heavy equipment tracking device with inputs/outputs for fleet management, equipment monitoring on LoRaWAN® networks.

Pros:

• High-Precision GPS/GLONASS Tracking: Enhanced accuracy with a 72 channel high sensitivity receiver.
• Weatherproof and Ultra-Rugged IP67 Housing: Resistant to dust, water, and extreme temperatures.
• Internal Backup Battery: Ensures operation in case of power loss or tampering.
• Flexible Configuration : Supports digital and analog inputs to interface with a range of devices and switches to fit any application including seat belt detection, door open/close monitoring

Cons:

• Complex Integration: May require specialized knowledge for integrating with existing systems. Requires a 8-36V DC power source.
• Limited Indoor Use: Primarily designed for outdoor environments, limiting effectiveness indoors.

5. Milesight Outdoor Tracker AT101

The Milesight AT101 is a compact and versatile asset tracker designed for reliable tracking and monitoring in various environments.

Pros:

• Multiple Positioning Technologies (GPS, Wi-Fi, BLE, and LoRaWAN): Ensures accurate and reliable location tracking both indoors and outdoors.
• Rugged Design: IK09 rated provides resistance to high-impact events

Cons:

• Limited Data Storage: May not store as much historical data compared to some other trackers.

6. Dragino TrackerD-LS GPS Tracker

The TrackerD-LS is an advanced LoRaWAN asset tracker from Dragino, designed for precise and efficient tracking in various environments.

Pros:

• 3000mAh Rechargeable Battery + Solar Panel: The device lasts a long time and is eco-friendly, so you won’t need to recharge it often.
• Versatile Location Technologies: It supports GPS for real-time tracking, and also uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for better connectivity.
• Arduino IDE Compatibility: It’s easy to customize and program, so developers can adjust it for specific projects.

Cons:

• Complex Initial Setup: Setting it up with IoT servers and networks can be tough for people who aren’t very experienced with technology.
• Limited Internal Storage: It can store data when there’s no network, but the storage space is limited, which might not be enough for long periods without connection.

7. Teltonika FMC150 GPS Tracker

The Teltonika FMC150 is a GPS tracker designed for fleet management and trailer tracking, featuring LTE Cat M1 and NB-IoT connectivity. It includes functionalities such as geofencing, real-time tracking, and event alerts, and it is built to withstand harsh environmental conditions.

Pros:

• Supports LTE Cat M1 and NB-IoT for reliable connectivity.
• Includes geofencing and real-time tracking.
• Durable design suitable for industrial use.
• Integrated backup battery for continuous tracking.
• Compatible with multiple platforms for easy integration.

Cons:

• Initial configuration can be complex.
• Higher cost compared to some other trackers.

8. Queclink GL505 GPS Tracker

The Queclink GL505 is a GPS tracker designed for long-term asset tracking, featuring a rugged, waterproof design and extended battery life. It is suitable for tracking trailers and other valuable assets over long periods.

Pros:

• Long battery life, lasting up to several years.
• Waterproof and dustproof (IP67 rated).
• Easy to install with magnetic mounting.
• Supports multiple satellite systems for global tracking.
• Provides tamper alerts.

Cons:

• Limited features compared to more sophisticated trackers.
• Higher initial cost.

9. Piccolo Trailer GPS Tracker

The Piccolo Trailer GPS Tracker is a compact solution for tracking trailers and other mobile assets. It offers real-time tracking and basic features tailored for fleet management.

Pros:

• Small and lightweight.
• Provides real-time location updates.
• Supports geofencing.
• Competitively priced.
• Compatible with various fleet management platforms.

Cons:

• Shorter battery life.
• Less rugged design.

10. MOKOLoRa LW001 BG-PRO Tracker

The MOKOLoRa LW001 BG-PRO Tracker is a LoRa-based GPS tracker designed for low power consumption and long-range communication, suitable for tracking trailers over extensive areas.

Pros:

• Low power consumption with extended battery life.
• Effective long-range communication.
• Compact and lightweight.
• Cost-effective with low operational costs.
• Includes geofencing and real-time alerts.

Cons:

• Basic compared to more advanced GPS trackers.
• Initial setup can be complex.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best locations on each Trailer to install a GPS Tracker? 

The best locations to install a GPS tracker on a trailer are under the chassis, inside a secure compartment, or near the rear lights. These spots provide protection and ensure a strong signal.

What is the best trailer tracking device?

• TEKTELIC Orca GPS Tracker
• TEKTELIC STORK Indoor & Outdoor Tracker
• Abeeway Industrial Tracker
• Digital Matter G62 Tracker
• Milesight Outdoor Tracker AT101
• Dragino LoRaWAN GPS Tracker
• Teltonika FMC150 GPS Tracker
• Queclink GL505 GPS Tracker
• Piccolo Trailer GPS Tracker
• MOKOLoRa LW001 BG-PRO Tracker

Does a GPS tracker require a subscription?

No, not all GPS trackers require a subscription. There are different IoT platforms available on the market today to connect the GPS trackers, and it’s important to check with your vendor to understand the specific requirements and options available for tracking services.