Can I use load boards without a trailer?

Not from my experience. I have used Truckstop and DAT360. You have to pick an option for your trailer in order to look for loads. Brokers assume you have both: truck and trailer. Without trailer, you can sign up as power only driver with JB Hunt, Landstar and others though.. Hope, this helps.

 

Their are some power only companies and o/o that move new trailers.

 

2 issues
A truck can't do all jobs and do them all well. A heavy haul truck is too heavy and slow for reefer or van loads. It will pull a 250,000 pound load up a mountain though. A west coast reefer truck will never even move that heavy haul load. Best to hone in on one segment.
2
Power only on the load boards is not easy. Even when you have a trailer it often isn't easy. The best way to do it is to find some regular customers you can serve on a somewhat regular basis.

Lastly
At 17 just go bang as many girls as you can. Trucking ain't going nowhere. And for God's sake if you are able to - use your brains for a career before you use your body for one. Brain will out last and often out earn the body. Trucking will best the hell out of your body in several ways. Screwed up sleep schedule is one.

 

I agree with using your brain, I suggest to focus on your education and a career.

 

Go get a job on the railroad, and promote up to locomotive engineer. You'll make $100,000K a year, you just won't be home long enough to spend it.

I disagree with gokiddo on one point. My advice is keep your johnson holstered and don't let it run your life. If you knock up Peggy Sue now, you ain't NEVER getting outta that double wide.

....or mansion, or brownstone condo. Whatever.

 

I don't have a trailer and during the off season for me I use the load boards, just choose the power only option. The trailer manufacturers will have empty trailers to be moved and sometimes you get decent paying loads of equipment on a trailer for relocation to a job site.I have gotten over two dollars a loaded mile.
There are companies that need a trailer moved and will let you keep it for several days and haul loads as long as you get it to the final destination on time,they are called load out trailers LDOT is the search option.The problem is finding a power only load for a back haul.

 

/thread

 

This. Anyone got a time machine? I'd love to go back with the knowledge I have now.

 

I met a owner op a few weeks ago that uses boards to find "power only" loads. Most of the time he is moving the trailer for very cheap or even free, but then uses the trailer for a given time before it has to be at the final destination. He then uses the boards to find loads specific to the trailer, which I assume most of the time is a dry van. He said most empty van trailers he has two to three weeks sometimes 4 to get it there .Now tankers and more specialized trailers he didn't say anything about and I think that would be a little harder to find.