How to Get Loads for Trucks: A Complete Guide for Truck Owners and Drivers

The feeling of being a truck owner operation or small trucking business may be rewarding, and one of the most significant challenges is locating consistent loads. In the absence of a consistent freight, your truck will be idle, costs will accumulate and profit will be lost. The good news is that there are numerous sure methods of getting loads of trucks, whether one is an independent owner- operator, small fleet owner or a newcomer to the industry.

This guide takes you through simple yet practical steps which will ensure your truck runs and still your business is profitable.

Work With Freight Brokers

Freight brokers are intermediaries between shippers (the individuals that require the goods to be transported) and carriers (the truck drivers or trucking companies). They are among the most popular means through which truckers obtain loads.

Why Freight Brokers Help?

• They already have a community of shippers.
• The negotiation and paperwork is dealt with by them.
• They will save you time since you will not need to go shopping around to find shippers.

What to Keep in Mind?

The brokers get a fee at the expense of your portion of the load. Not every broker is the same, as some are fast and equitable in their payment, others can postpone or pay low. It is important to establish contact with reliable brokers. There are trustworthy brokers who can prove to be consistent partners overtime.

Use Load Boards

Online marketplaces where loads are posted by shippers and brokers and truckers can find available freight are called load boards. Good examples are websites and applications such as DAT, Truckstop, and 123Loadboard.

Advantages of Load Boards

• Simple to use, even by the beginner.
• Big diversity of the freight types and routes.
• Open 24 hours to allow you to arrange or get last minute jobs.

Downsides

Competition has the ability to reduce rates due to their openness to a variety of carriers. Not all loads may be as profitable with the consideration of fuel, deadhead miles and fees. Most successful truckers utilize load boards to fill gaps instead of depending on them.

Develop Direct Relationships with Shippers.

Among the most lucrative means to acquire loads is to deal directly with the shippers. You bypass the brokers and boards and get the entire rate.

How to Build Relationships

• Find out about local manufacturers, farms or distribution centers.
• Greetings, describe your services.
• Give superior customer services to drive up business.

There is an initial struggle of knocking on doors, sending emails or making calls but the reward is worth it. Direct shipper is also known to generate long term contracts and improved rates.

Contract With Freight Forwarders.

Freight forwarders are analogous to brokers, and sometimes they deal with larger and more complicated shipments including international cargo. Collaborating with them may create the prospect of special freight such as oversized freight, containers, or time-sensitive shipments.
In case you are interested in more specialized freight, one possible way to diversify and earn more is by contracting with freight forwarders.

Work With Dispatch Services

The dispatch services provide support to the truck drivers as personal assistants. They find loads, do documents and in some occasions even billing. This may be handy to drivers who do not wish to be involved in business management, but to drive.
However, dispatchers are fee-based normally percentage of your revenue. One of the things that you need to compute is whether their assistance enhances your total income.

Use Government Contracts.

The carriers are frequently contracted by the government as they move freight, whether it is by mail delivery or military supplies. These contracts are capable of being stable and profitable.
In order to do so you will have to register with such systems as the General Services Administration (GSA) or the Department of Transportation. This might be a long process though after receiving approval the government work could offer a steady income.

Go Local.

All the loads do not necessarily need to be long-distance interstate assignments. Local or regional loads are not considered by many truckers, but can be profitable and you are able to spend more time at home.

Such local opportunities include:

• Farm, grocery store, or construction site deliveries.
• Transport machinery of local companies
• Collaboration with local ports/ warehouses.

The hidden opportunities can be discovered by networking within your community; visiting local businesses, participating in a trade event, or a chamber of commerce.

Concentrate on Specialized Freight.

Competitive general freight may be cheap, whereas special trucking may be more lucrative. In case you have or can invest on specialized equipment, then you may consider:

• Refrigerated products (produce, frozen food).
• Construction materials and heavy machinery (flatbed).
• Hazardous (additional certification is required).
• Bulky/bulky freight.

Specialization is normally charged at a premium since not all drivers are qualified or capable of working with these loads.

Take advantage of Networking and Word of Mouth.

Even now trucking is a business of relationships. Discussion with other truck drivers at truck stops and membership in truck associations or even online discussion groups will result in referrals and tips on loads.

Shippers and brokers also tend to work with carriers that they know and trust. A good reputation- turning up in time, maintaining communication and handling freight with care will often result in repeat work and referrals.

Use Technology and Apps

Along with load boards, now a host of apps exist to match freight with truckers. Such applications as Convoy, Uber Freight, and the Navisphere by C.H. Robinson enable you to place orders with a few taps.

The advantage is comfort- there is no long phone call or fax, but online booking. These applications may offer initial charges and instant payment, which may enhance cash flow in small operators.

Give Leasing to a Carrier to think over.

In case it seems too hard to find your own loads, you may lease your truck to a bigger carrier. In this system the freight is discovered by the carrier and is hauled under their jurisdiction by you.

Leasing can make you less independent, but it provides you with stability, and you do not have to worry about finding loads all the time. It is also a stepping stone of new drivers who are still getting acquainted with the industry.

Improve Your Marketing

The truckers also are small business owners in the current market. Advertising your services may be used to get shippers. Simple steps include:

• Developing professional web site.
• Creating a business profile with LinkedIn or Facebook.
• Producing business cards which should be distributed to prospective customers.

The demonstration of being professional and reliable will contribute to trust developing with shippers who might be choosing between a number of carriers.

Final Thoughts

Finding loads on trucks is a combination of strategy, tenacity and building relationships. No ultimate way is the most desirable one, it all depends on what you want to achieve, resources, and kind of freight you would like to transport. There are numerous successful truckers who mix strategies: they may use load boards to fill the void, may develop direct shipper relationships in order to have regular work, and may investigate the specialized freight that would pay higher wages.

The secret lies in the flexibility, professionalism and proactivity. In the long run, you will have a network which keeps your truck going and your business running.

FAQS

How can new truckers easily get loads?

The simplest place to start is often the load boards since it is simple to operate and is common.

Am I supposed to have my own operating authority to receive loads?

Yes, in case you want to book loads with shippers or brokers. But when you lease your truck to a carrier, you will be able to haul under their authority.

Are freight brokers worth it?

Yes, and particularly at the beginning. They offer access to freight which you would not otherwise have. With time you can desire to establish direct shipper relationships to increase profits.

What are the fees of dispatchers?

A majority of dispatchers take a percentage of the load, commonly 5-10% percent. This differs with the services they render.

Is it possible to make money, with local loads?

Absolutely. Nearby and regional routes are lucrative particularly when you cut down on the fuel prices and the deadhead miles.

Is government freight difficult to access?

Government contracts are cumbersome to get, but when one gets one, it may offer an individual a consistent, consistent source of income.

What type of loads are the most paying?

Niche freight such as refrigerated, overweight, or hazardous goods were more likely to pay higher since not many carriers are capable of transporting such.