What are TONU, layover and lumper pay in trucking?
TONU (truck ordered not used) pays the carrier when a booked load is cancelled after the truck was dispatched. Layover pays for an extra day when a load cannot be picked up or delivered as scheduled, and lumper pay reimburses the fee charged to unload freight. Each should be agreed on the rate confirmation and backed by proof to get paid.
Not every dollar in trucking comes from linehaul. TONU, layover and lumper pay are accessorials: charges for situations where a load does not go as planned. They are easy to lose if you do not set terms up front and keep proof, and they can turn a bad day into a break-even one if you handle them right.
Why accessorials need terms before the load
Accessorials are negotiated, not automatic. A broker is far more likely to pay a charge that appears on the signed rate confirmation than one you raise after the fact. Before you sign any rate con, confirm the TONU amount, layover rate and lumper process are written in. Our guide on how to read a rate confirmation walks through the full list.
TONU: truck ordered not used
TONU applies when a broker cancels a load after you have committed the truck, usually after dispatch or arrival at the shipper. Common causes include freight not ready, an order cancelled by the shipper or a broker double-booking a load.
What TONU covers
TONU is meant to offset the lost day: deadhead miles to the shipper, fuel, hours of service used and the other loads you turned down. It rarely replaces the full load rate, so it is a cushion, not a win.
How to get TONU paid
- Have the amount on the rate con. Ask for it before booking, especially for loads with long deadhead.
- Get the cancellation in writing. Ask the broker to confirm by email that the load is cancelled and TONU applies.
- Document your position. ELD records, GPS history or a timestamped photo at the gate show you were there or en route.
- Ask for a TONU rate con. Many brokers issue a revised confirmation showing the TONU amount. That becomes your billing document.
- Invoice right away.
Worked example
Hypothetical example: you deadhead 90 miles to a shipper and the load is cancelled. Your all-in operating cost is about $1.90 per mile. Deadhead cost is 90 x $1.90 = $171. If the rate con lists a $250 TONU, you recover your direct cost plus a bit for lost time. Without it on paper, you might get offered much less, or nothing. Use the deadhead miles calculator and your own cost per mile to know your own numbers before you negotiate.
Layover pay
Layover is a flat payment when you are held over to another day because a load could not be picked up or delivered as scheduled, through no fault of yours. Examples: the receiver pushes your appointment to the next morning, or the shipper's freight is not ready until tomorrow.
How to get layover paid
- Confirm the layover rate and when it applies on the rate con. Some brokers define layover as a delay past a certain number of hours or past midnight.
- Notify the broker as soon as you learn of the delay, and get the new appointment in writing.
- Keep the original appointment confirmation and the reschedule message.
- Note whether the broker will pay both detention and layover for the same delay. Policies differ.
Layover also affects the next load. Being stuck a day can push you off a lane, so planning around it matters. See how to plan a profitable round trip for ideas on rebuilding the week.
Lumper fees
A lumper is a third-party worker or crew that unloads trucks at some warehouses, especially grocery and food distribution centers. The facility charges a fee for the service, and the question is who pays.
How lumper fees are usually handled
- Broker pays directly. The broker issues an electronic payment code or check number the driver gives to the lumper service. This is the cleanest option.
- Carrier pays and gets reimbursed. The driver pays by card or cash, then submits the receipt with the invoice for reimbursement.
- Rate includes it. Rarely, the linehaul is set high enough to cover the lumper. Avoid this unless the amount is known in advance.
Lumper checklist
- Ask before booking: "Is there a lumper at delivery, and how is it paid?"
- Get the reimbursement method on the rate con
- Call the broker for an electronic payment code before you reach the dock
- Always get an itemized receipt showing facility, date, amount and load or PO number
- Include the receipt in your invoice packet, and send a photo to the broker the same day
Federal law prohibits coercing a carrier to load or unload freight, or to hire someone to do it, as a condition of the load. If a facility demands unexpected fees or labor, contact the broker and document it. Confirm the current rules with FMCSA if a dispute escalates.
Detention, layover, TONU and lumper compared
| Accessorial | When it applies | Typical structure | Key proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detention | Waiting past free time | Hourly after free time | Signed in and out times |
| Layover | Held over to another day | Flat per day | Reschedule notice in writing |
| TONU | Load cancelled after dispatch | Flat amount | Cancellation email, location records |
| Lumper | Third-party unloading | Reimbursed at cost | Itemized receipt |
For detention specifically, see our full guide on how to get detention paid.
Bill accessorials fast and clean
Accessorials get denied most often for paperwork reasons. Build a habit:
- Send accessorial requests with the original invoice, not separately weeks later
- Include the load number, the term from the rate con and the supporting proof
- Keep copies in one load folder
- Follow up on unpaid accessorials within the broker's payment terms
If you factor, ask how your factoring company handles accessorials and lumper reimbursements. Some fund them with the load, others only after the broker approves. Our guide on working with a factoring company covers the details.
How Texas Solutions can help
Texas Solutions is a dispatch service, not a broker or motor carrier. Our dispatchers negotiate TONU, layover and lumper terms onto the rate con, handle broker communication and paperwork 24/7, and you approve every load. See our dispatch services or talk to a dispatcher.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a typical TONU payment?
There is no fixed amount. It is negotiated per load and often depends on how far you drove and how much of your day was lost. Get the TONU amount written on the rate con so you are not negotiating it after the cancellation.
Is layover the same as detention?
No. Detention is paid by the hour for waiting beyond free time on the same day, while layover is a flat amount for being held over to another day. Some brokers will not pay both for the same delay, so check the terms.
Should I pay a lumper with my own money?
Only if the broker has agreed to reimburse it. Many brokers prefer to pay lumpers directly with an electronic payment code, which keeps your cash out of it. Always get a receipt with the facility name, amount and load reference.
Can a facility force the driver to unload?
Federal law prohibits coercing a carrier to load or unload freight or to pay for it. Unloading terms should be agreed in advance, so check the rate con and contact the broker if a facility demands unexpected labor or fees.
