Loads fall through. A shipper changes plans, a warehouse overbooks, or a broker can’t confirm freight. When you were ordered but not used, the right response is TONU assistance trucking. This guide explains what TONU means, how much to request, what proof you need, and how a truck dispatch service can handle the paperwork so you can stay on the road.

What Is TONU And When Does It Apply?

TONU stands for Truck Ordered, Not Used. It is a fee paid to a carrier when a load is canceled after the truck has been dispatched or has already driven toward pickup. TONU covers time, fuel, and schedule damage caused by a last-minute change. TONU assistance trucking gives you a step-by-step process to protect your income and fix cash flow when a day’s plan blows up.

Search Intent: What Drivers And Dispatchers Want To Know

Informational: What is TONU, what documents do I need, and what counts as “dispatched”?
Commercial: How can a company help me file TONU claims correctly and get paid faster in trucking?
Navigational: Where do I send a TONU request, and what subject line or form should I use?

Why TONU Assistance Trucking Matters

A canceled load can wreck your week if you do nothing. With TONU assistance trucking, you create a paper trail within minutes, set a clear rate expectation, and keep your relationship professional. This keeps brokers honest, reduces arguments, and saves you from chasing emails for weeks.

What Counts As Dispatched For TONU?

Dispatched usually means one of three things happened: you accepted a rate confirmation, you received pickup details with a firm appointment, or you started deadhead miles toward the shipper. If any of those are true and the load gets canceled for reasons outside your control, TONU assistance trucking applies in most broker agreements.

Typical TONU Rates And When To Negotiate

Many rate confirmations list a flat amount. If there’s no number, a practical range is $150–$300 depending on miles driven, time lost, and the lane. If you burned serious fuel or sat several hours, you can ask for more and include proof in your email. When you use TONU assistance trucking with a standard template, you’ll present your case the same way every time and improve approvals.

Step-By-Step: How To File A Clean TONU Claim

Step 1: Freeze The Facts

Write down the time of cancellation, who told you, and the reason. Save call logs or take a quick screenshot of the broker’s message.

Step 2: Capture Mileage

Photograph your odometer and the truck’s GPS screen to show the miles already driven. If you were still at home, record your on-duty time and a screenshot of dispatch instructions.

Step 3: Check The Rate Confirmation

Look for a “TONU” line or a “truck ordered not used” note. If the amount is defined, use that number. If it’s blank, propose a fair figure in your request. This is a core piece of TONU assistance trucking because it aligns your claim with the contract you both agreed to.

Step 4: Send The Email Right Away

Subject: TONU Request – Load #### – MC #####
Message: “Per our dispatch at [time], load canceled at [time] by [name]. We have [miles] deadhead and [time] on duty. Requesting TONU per rate confirmation. Proof attached.”

Step 5: Follow Up Politely

If you do not get a response in 24 hours, send a friendly nudge. Keep every message in the same thread so billing has the full picture.

Evidence That Brokers Accept Most Often

Signed or digital rate confirmation showing dispatch
Text or email with pickup address and appointment time
Odometer/photo proof of miles already driven
ELD duty status change showing you started the trip
Cancellation message from the broker or shipper

When your proof tells a short, clear story, TONU assistance trucking becomes simple: you were ready to haul, they canceled, and you deserve compensation.

How A Truck Dispatch Service Makes TONU Easy

A reliable back office does more than book freight. It builds systems that protect your time and money. Here’s how a professional team helps:

Policy library that lists each top broker’s TONU rules and forms
Templates for emails, document names, and attachments so nothing is missed
A shared tracker that records requested amount, proof submitted, and approval status
Escalation paths to accounts-payable if a claim is quiet for too long

If you’re an owner-operator, dispatch services for owner operators can be a lifeline. You stay focused on driving while someone else manages claims and keeps communication tight with brokers.

Using TONU Without Burning Bridges

Be firm, not angry. Thank the broker for the update, state the TONU amount, and attach proof. If you want more loads later, offer two good solutions: either pay TONU now or add the amount to your next booked load. This keeps the business relationship smooth while your money is still protected by TONU assistance trucking.

Cash Flow Tips After A Cancellation

A canceled load often means the day’s revenue is gone. To reduce the hit, rebook quickly, even if it’s a short hop toward a better market. Ask your dispatcher to search for best-paying freight loads in nearby lanes and use drop-and-hook options when possible. If your broker offers it, a quick pay request service for truckers can shorten the wait once your TONU is approved.

Sample Email You Can Copy

Subject: TONU Request – Load 78421 – MC 123456
Hello Billing,
We accepted dispatch at 7:40 AM for pickup at 10:00 AM. At 8:55 AM, the load was canceled by [name]. We already drove 38 miles toward the shipper. Per our agreement, requesting TONU of $200. Attached: rate confirmation, ELD duty status, odometer photo, and cancellation message. Please confirm remittance date. Thank you.

Short, polite, and complete. That is the heart of TONU assistance trucking.

Layover, Detention, Or TONU?

If the pickup moves to tomorrow and you must stay overnight, that is usually a layover. If you arrive and then wait past free time, bill detention. If the load is canceled after dispatch, that’s TONU. Use the correct term to avoid delays and denials. While this article focuses on TONU assistance trucking, having the right word at the right time is what gets you paid.

Role Of A Modern Dispatch Partner

A strong truck dispatch service does the heavy lifting on claims while booking your next move. The team can pre-fill forms, send proof, and track the status so you’re not stuck on the phone. This blend of dispatch and claims support is the fastest route to getting paid faster in trucking without sacrificing miles.

Pricing And Expectations

Many brokers pay TONU within 7–14 days after approval. If the claim is bundled with your next load, the payment might arrive even sooner. Keep your W-9 and carrier packet current, and make sure your remittance email is correct. Small clerical errors are a common reason TONU claims sit in limbo. Organized TONU assistance trucking reduces those slowdowns.

Primary Keyword In Real-World Scenarios

When a shipper cancels after you leave the yard, TONU assistance trucking turns wasted time into revenue. When a broker double-books the lane and drops you last minute, TONU assistance trucking helps you separate emotion from process and submit a clean, provable request. If a customer asks you to “stand by” for hours and finally cancels, TONU assistance trucking gives you documentation and a reasonable number so no one argues about what is fair.

LSI Keywords Used Naturally

dispatch services for owner operators
truck dispatch service
paid faster in trucking
quick pay request service for truckers
TONU claims

Featured Snippet: One-Minute Checklist

Accept dispatch and save the rate confirmation
If canceled, note the time, who canceled, and the reason
Capture miles/time proof with photos and ELD
Email TONU request with amount and attachments
Track response, follow up in 24 hours, and escalate if needed

FAQ: High-CTR Questions About TONU

What is TONU in trucking?

TONU means Truck Ordered, Not Used. It’s a fee that compensates a carrier when a load gets canceled after dispatch.

How much should I ask for?

If the contract lists a number, use that. If not, many carriers request $150–$300 based on miles and time lost.

What proof do I need?

Rate confirmation, odometer or GPS photo, ELD duty status, and the message showing cancellation. Clear proof speeds approvals for TONU claims.

Can I still work with the broker after a TONU claim?

Yes. Be professional, present proof, and suggest adding the amount to the next load if that helps their billing cycle.

Do dispatchers help with TONU?

Many dispatch services offer claim support: drafting emails, attaching proof, and tracking payment dates so you can keep moving.

Call To Action

Want a done-for-you process that secures fair TONU payments and books your next load fast? Talk to our dispatch team today. We set up templates, file TONU claims, and communicate with brokers so you get back on the road and get paid without the headache.