what are the top 3 load boards?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by hiii98, Sep 14, 2014.

  1. seetya

    seetya Bobtail Member

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    Aug 25, 2014
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    Thanks for the reply. I think in time I will be able to go like you but gir me being so new to the game. It will take me a while to figure out how to get my own customers. How do you go about doing thst
     
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  3. o/otony

    o/otony Light Load Member

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    Dec 25, 2012
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    knock on doors pass business cards and knock on some more doors.
     
  4. seetya

    seetya Bobtail Member

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    Aug 25, 2014
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    Point taken. Printing cards and getting a letterhead this week
     
  5. QUAD 40

    QUAD 40 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 8, 2014
    illinois
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    check out hotshotcarrier.com for info specific to hotshot work. It is a very good source of info, plus a load board.

    Hope this helps.
     
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  6. FarmerTransportation

    FarmerTransportation Light Load Member

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    Dec 26, 2013
    Pittsburgh, PA
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    Holy carp! Lotta sideline questions on top of the main topic. And enough vinegar to pickle an elephant!

    Okay.

    Load boards. I use ITS. I can sort it however I need to to find loads that fit my rig. The caveat is that I live in an area where loads are normally plentiful. Talk to the ITS sales rep to get a handle on what all the bells and whistles can do for you. You can try them out and drop them off later if they don't help you out. So far, ITS has been enough for me, along with the repeat business from brokers who are happy with what I've done.

    Backhauls and rates. I assume from the git-go that I'm deadheading back. It's the nature of how I run my business. I want to be out and back the same day. So I quote a rate that pays me for both loaded and unloaded miles. My rates have to do with how much I want to be paid to do the trip. If I have to haul into or through an area I don't like, the rate goes up. Most of the time my rate is above what the shipper will pay. But I do get enough loads at my rates to satisfy my income requirements. On ITS, I can look at what loads may be available from the drop point of my target trip, and try to organize a backhaul before I finalize the target trip. This works better if I'm willing to stay out overnight. I still charge MY rate for the target trip, so the backhauls (when they happen) are total gravy.

    Hot Shot Load. To me a "hot shot load" is any load that will fit my rig. I guess "hot shot" is more recognized as a type of expedited service, but what I find is the loads I carry are a) too small to get the attention of big trucks; b) far enough out of normal trucking lanes that it's not worth a big truck's time to divert and pick up or drop off; or c) needing to be delivered rapidly (actual expedited).

    Brokers vs Shippers.
    So far, all my work has been through brokers. Plus, I factor all my invoices so that I get paid in one day. This coming year I'm planning on working to get some direct business. From what I'm seeing and hearing, good direct customers can provide steadier, better-paying business but the competition is stiffer. Can't give actual experience-based advice on this, though.

    One-ton truck/trailer vs. a real truck. I like the pickup/trailer. It works for me. There are enough loads in my area to support it. My truck is 13 years old, well-maintained and doesn't cost much to keep running. If I had to buy a new truck, I'd probably go bigger. Again, for my type of work, I'd go with a <26K straight truck, sleeper, rollup flatbed with sliding tarp system.

    The net of all this info/advice is, try it out. Go get some work. Get some experience. You will see what works for you, what pays and what doesn't. And you'll change your approach to take advantage of YOUR strengths and opportunities. I started out taking long trips. On the road for 3, 4, 5 days. With just the pickup truck - no trailer. Evolved to towing a trailer and staying within one day out-and-back trips. Just try not to run yourself bankrupt while you're learning.
     
  7. Want2

    Want2 Light Load Member

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    Aug 1, 2012
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    Bump for more suggestions. I am staying busy using a dispatcher. However, I am not the only truck they are finding loads for. They almost never a load for me when I come off a reset, so I want to look for one and send them the info so they can line it up if possible. I have a pickup/goose neck trailer.
     
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