Trucking Companies in Defiance, IA
Defiance, IA has 5 registered for-hire trucking companies as of May 2026, making it one of Iowa's largest carrier markets by operating authority count. This figure includes active, inactive, and revoked authorities tracked by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Source: FMCSA operating authority and compliance records. Truck Graph analysis. View methodology
Fleet size and equipment distribution
5 carriers broken down by power-unit count and operation type in Defiance, IA.
Fleet size distribution
By registered power-unit count. Source: FMCSA carrier census. View methodology
Operation type breakdown
Classification by carrier operation type and hazmat endorsement status. View methodology
About the Defiance, IA freight market
Defiance, IA is home to 5 registered for-hire motor carriers, of which 5 (100.0%) hold active operating authority as of May 2026. According to FMCSA records, the average fleet size among Defiance carriers is 10.2 power units, reflecting a market dominated by owner-operators and small fleets. The Defiance carrier population contributes to Iowa's broader freight economy, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks among the nation's largest by trucking employment.
The fleet composition in Defiance shows 10 single-truck operators (200.0% of all carriers) alongside 0 carriers operating fleets of 101+ power units. Other operations represent the largest segment with 19 carriers. This distribution is consistent with FMCSA's national pattern where approximately 91% of registered carriers operate fewer than 6 power units (FMCSA Industry Snapshot, 2024).
Authority tenure data reveals 0 carriers received new operating authority in the past 6 months, while 11 carriers have maintained continuous authority for 20+ years. New entrants face elevated scrutiny under FMCSA's New Entrant Safety Assurance Program, which mandates an 18-month monitoring period including at least one safety audit. The presence of 0 carriers with prior revocations on record underscores the importance of verifying authority status before tendering freight — a carrier's historical compliance record is publicly available through the FMCSA SAFER System.
Truck Graph identifies 0 active risk indicators among Defiance carriers (0.00% of the population), flagged through cross-referencing authority history, insurance filing patterns, and known chameleon carrier behaviors. The FMCSA defines chameleon carriers as entities that "successively obtain and relinquish operating authority to evade enforcement actions." Shippers and brokers should verify carrier authority, insurance coverage, and safety ratings before every load tender — Truck Graph's Risk Check tool provides instant verification against all available compliance data.
Sources: FMCSA.dot.gov, BLS Trucking Industry Data, FMCSA SAFER System. Data verified as of .
Authority age distribution
Years since initial FMCSA authority grant date. View methodology
Risk and compliance overview
Risk indicators and fleet composition across 5 Defiance carriers.
Fleet size vs carrier count
Carrier population by fleet tier. Source: FMCSA census data. View methodology
Equipment type share
Based on operation type classification and endorsements. View methodology
Largest carriers in Defiance, IA
Ranked by fleet size (power units). Top 3 featured. Showing 5 of 5 total carriers.
Allan & Dean Erlbacher has operated for 43.8y with 42 power units and 42 drivers under Contract authority.
Christensen Farms Trucking has operated for 24.9y with 3 power units and 6 drivers under Carrier authority.
L&S Transportation LLC has operated for 28.4y with 3 power units and 3 drivers under Carrier authority.
Goetz Trucking INC has operated for 52.0y with 2 power units and 2 drivers under Contract authority.
Kohles Bros Trucking LLC has operated for 5.7y with 1 power units and 1 drivers under Common authority.
All Defiance carriers — complete directory
5 carriers total. Page 1 of 1. Sorted by fleet size descending.
| # | Carrier | MC # | DOT # | Fleet | Auth. age | Type | Safety | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Allan & Dean Erlbacher Defiance, IA | MC211154 | 220174 | 42 | 43.8y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 02 | Christensen Farms Trucking Defiance, IA | - | 969339 | 3 | 24.9y | Dry van | 95 | Active |
| 03 | L&S Transportation LLC Defiance, IA | MC1133917 | 726029 | 3 | 28.4y | Dry van | 95 | Active |
| 04 | Goetz Trucking INC Defiance, IA | MC220128 | 73819 | 2 | 52.0y | Dry van | 95 | Active |
| 05 | Kohles Bros Trucking LLC Defiance, IA | MC1153192 | 3497491 | 1 | 5.7y | Dry van | 95 | Active |
Truck Graph carrier directory. Data from FMCSA operating authority records. View methodology
Find Defiance carriers by equipment type
Browse specialized carriers operating in Defiance, IA by trailer and equipment classification.
Explore the Iowa carrier directory
Defiance is one of the top freight markets in Iowa. Browse the full Iowa trucking company directory to find carriers across all cities, or return to the national carrier index to compare states.
Nearby freight markets in Iowa
Defiance trucking questions
Answers verified against FMCSA records.
How many trucking companies are in Defiance, Iowa?
Defiance, IA has 5 registered for-hire motor carriers as of May 2026. Of these, 5 hold active operating authority from the FMCSA.
What is the average fleet size in Defiance?
The average fleet size among Defiance carriers is 10.2 power units. Approximately 10 carriers operate a single truck, while 0 operate fleets of 101+ units.
How many Defiance carriers have risk indicators?
Truck Graph identifies 0 active risk indicators among Defiance-based carriers. These indicators are derived from authority history patterns, insurance filing anomalies, and known chameleon carrier behaviors.
How do I verify a Defiance trucking company?
Use Truck Graph's DOT Lookup tool to instantly verify any carrier's authority status, insurance coverage, and safety record. You can also check the FMCSA SAFER System directly at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
What types of trucking companies operate in Defiance?
Defiance's carrier population includes other, dry van / mixed operations. The market serves general freight, specialized, and regional distribution needs.
Is Truck Graph data reliable?
Truck Graph compiles data from FMCSA authority records, insurance filings, inspection histories, and crash reports. Data refreshes continuously from verified federal sources. All 5 Defiance carriers are cross-referenced against multiple compliance databases.
For journalists and researchers
Truck Graph data is open and citable. For press inquiries, contact our editorial team.