Load Boards

Unfortunately there is not load boards for dummies. There are some that will let you view loads available but dont give much in the way of load rates and those numbers are always negotiated over the phone anyways. Its like beating someone up on a used car sale but in a nice way. This business is not really rocket science like some make it out to be. Seems like the more you read the more discouraged you can get and the higher up on a pedestal it goes. When you consider the amount of overhead vs. profit compared to some other types of businesses it really isnt that bad if you make wise decisions. There is plenty of good info on here alone, you just have to know who to follow. Know your numbers upside down for operating costs and dont leave a single thing out. Go into it with a cash reserve for the unexpected which there will be and dont let that get you down, happens with any business, not just the taboo trucking biz. Very doable, just have to keep your head up and give it time.

 

Hubby has been wanting to get our own authority... I'm the chicken one!

 

If you are planning to find freight on load boards, your own authority may be tough. You will have no experience and many brokers will not give you loads and you will need cash reserves to wait 30 to 60 days to get paid. As a team, you will be floating something around $12,000 for fuel and that does not factor in maintenance and repair. If this is the route you want to follow I think you need to hit the street and find direct freight. Either way, this business is all about building relationships.

 

NCC. Your saying joining ITS or DAT Load Boards a waste of money? I kinda heard this before but like to hear more. So if brokers on those sites won't give freight loads , who will? The bad rated brokers? Where does one search? I know get direct shippers but I'm talking just load boards . Thanks

 

Now you know why I hesitate

We have the $$ reserve (credit) for the fuel... It's just working the boards I/we have no experience at, and want to learn.

 

The problem is that the lanes that work for someone else won't necessarily work for you. And they change throughout the year. The best thing you can do is figure out what commodity you plan to haul. Find out who makes it and who buys it. Look where they're at and learn the market in those places. As-in what else is produced/consumed in those areas. That will give you a rough idea of capacity, specific to your targeted commodity.

The load boards have capacity tools to give you a ballpark of what certain areas have in terms of loads to trucks. You already know from reading here that New England, Florida, and Denver are lean on outbound freight, so you don't need to look hard to figure that out.

Beyond that, you really just have to get out there and get your feet wet. Reach out to someone that either hauls a commodity you plan to haul as well, or at least someone that posts things that strike a chord with you. I don't think you'd have trouble finding a mentor or three that would take a couple calls from you during the first couple of weeks to serve as a sounding board and possibly offer some advice.

There really isn't a secret sauce to doing this that someone hasn't already shared. Without getting out there and giving it a go, you don't have the perspective to really "get" or even recognize the advice that's already posted here and elsewhere.

 

I agree. Like lady k it's just a nervous thing , as much as research I have done I'm still nervous tho I have a few directs lined up. I'm more nervous of contracts from brokers/shippers etc... What to look for and cross out etc.... Most on ITS and DAT pretty legit?

 

One small piece of advice I can give is pay attention to the "days to pay" column. I get real picky on loads if they go over 35 to 40 days. Like, I do not book with them.

 

Gotcha. And if they do go above that be strong on negotiation and check their rating correct?

 

Why would you figure all them costs into one load? Only thing you need to figure is fuel if your an O/O. Id figure at $3-4
A mile its a good load and if its a backhaul even better.