Load Boards

Any boards that are better than others for cargo vans ???

 

There all about the same, but there are a couple that are updated more than others! ie: ( GETLOADED, INTERNET TRUCK STOP) those are just a few. If you want to make some money as an owner operator, try talking or getting in contact with direct shippers!!!!

JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO ALL YOU HARD WORKING TRUCKERS, ROLLIN HARD TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES!!!!GOD BLESS

 

I personally like getloaded.com the best. I was using Internet truckstop, Get Loaded and another DAT board simultaneuosly and from what I could tell they had the same laods, but GetLoaded was the most user friendly and easiest to use. Also, they have the backhaul option which is great to prevent deadheading.

mostly I think its just a matter of preference tho

 

Has anyone used the Internet site. Find freight Loads.com?

I like the format because it shows the back loads and ease of use.

I know looking for loads, on load boards is risky . but I need to use them to reduce the amount of one way hauls and dead head miles .

Any and all advice is Greatly Appreciated..Thank you..

 

I'm not familiar with the one you mention, as I use a differnt one. As for risk, imo it is not really different than the days before the internet, just more convienient. Spending enough time on loadboards will give you a good idea of who the players are and who the fans are. Theres alotta cheap frieght on these boards, but at times they can be handy, but always try to negociate a better price. Its hard to tell everything here in a post, you need to spend alot of time just browsing to learn who is worthy of a call, who isnt, and try to get a feel of supply/deamnd for truckloads in certain parts of the country so to put the odds best in your favor to negociate. Often a broker will post/ offer a lowball price with the idea somebody will bite. You will sometimes get more money, othertimes not, all depends on the brokers feel for the market if they can cover it for cheap. Generaly they have a better feel for what the market will bear and what it wont. Allow me, have you ever taken a load from a loadboard before?....

 

I bet there are guys out there that are taking the loads at the posted price. I ALWAYS ask for more $$ and have always been offered more. That doesn't mean the final price was high enough for me to take it, but my point is.... always as for more. Like Magnum mentioned, you'll learn who the players are. I use load boards exclusively, at least for now.

 

You never know if you dont ask!.......I just grabbed a load from CH Robinson last week going from howe indiana to exeter pa....paid me 2.20 a mile AND got the indiana & ohio TP cost added to it cause they needed the load moved asap.

 

First I would like to thank you for the excellent advice.

Second, No I have never used a load board before, However I have read the threads on this site and found out who some of the best ones where,

I liked that they listed the back hauls in the areas where I deliver, If I can get loads coming back to my area, my drivers can make more money and still have there home time.

This would strengthen our small operation(3 Trucks & 3 drivers) and we will have our jobs. Having mostly lumber and landscaping rock loads(flatbed) I am anticipating our work will slow down In the winter time and I must get a wider variety of loads to keep my guys and me working so we can eat.

I like every one else do not like the idea of some one making money off me and the real shipper for doing nothing else but being connected and sitting behind a desk talking on the phone all day while drivers like us sweat and risk our lives carrying freight.

I am thinking that load boards and brokers are a necessary evil to help me stop the one way deliveries and lesson my dead head miles from the manufactures/shippers that I currently have .

Question: Is there a such thing as eliminating the middle man from from the picture after getting acquainted with the real shipper. I know that sounds cut throat and sneaky. And even thinking such a thing could get me black flagged where no broker would deal with me. but I,m sure I am not the only one O/O that has these same thoughts, Business, is Business right, Please correct me if I am wrong.

What you are saying is exactly what I was hoping to hear. That at least most/some of the brokers would negotiate.

If I was a broker I would do the same thing, Set the price low and anticipate them to ask for more money, Low ball verses High ball and meet some where in the middle.

I also did not think about the supply and demand thing you talked about . and you are exactly right if a broker has ten guys willing to take the load cheap negotiating will get me no where.. We drivers have got to stick together and get a loads pay for a loads work and not let them cut rates till we are making min wage.

Thank you , I am/was glad to hear from someone that was using load boards and was happy with them ..

I am lucky in some ways our trucks are older but paid for and our expenses are low.

 

Regarding going direct to a shipper you met via a broker, Most every broker contract I've read has a non compete or something similar that states you will contact the shipper direct for freight and if you do, the broker is entitled to damages or something of the sort. I'm sure it happens, just the nature of the business. I think if push came to shove, exclusivity would lose out for the broker. I'm not going to be the one to test their policies however...