Choosing between these two loadboards

Not an expert by any means but few point:


- I run dry van, use ITS ,like their option which allow brokers to see where You looking for loads, also when You click on their load, they know and call You (not sure if others loadboards have that),


- it have team van loads pop in out last minute (2$ plus per mile),but I because of flatbed nature I don't think so You will see that kind a lot;

the option will be just accept solo load, run as a team, build reputation with brokers and they pay You extra for the service;

problem is, at least on van side, that not too many long haul loads, generally cheap rates and a LOT competition.




Just my 2 c,feel free to correct me by all means!

 

I am an I/C, doing well as long as my truck is running, and going O/O is the next, last step if I decide to take it. In here, and talking with other drivers, I don't think it's good to look at one load source. Try several, sign up, they don't cost a lot. Watch out for brokers who don't pay, or hold your pay. Be very careful signing anything. But, there's a LOT of work out there, and somebody's going to get it. Just don't take any BS $1.10/mile loads.

 

Keep in mind, A loadboard is nothing more than getting your truck BACK to your freight.

If you are planning on using loadboards exclusively for running your business, You are in a lot of trouble.

Most Loads that are posted on a loadboard are mainly "Overflow Garbage from Carriers because of bad lanes-OR- Brokers trying to pawn off their Sub-standard freight.

I use the term "Substandard" Because 90% of loadboard freight is just that.

 

You can't get an honest opinion here at this site, because most of the members side the brokers and they will tell you like if there is shortage of loads as in reality there is a huge shortage of trucks ( according to one economics report there is a daily shortage of about 60k on average. This forum and the brokers will try to tell you that the market is starving and you have to take cheap loads. In my personal experience I have found it to be the best if you check spontaneously with other O/Os at truck stops and parking facilities. Another report says if you go towards Northeast then your average should be above $2.40/mile. The average cost to the Carrier to drive a truck per mile is $1.55 ( No matter how you do the math that is the minimum) So in the long run if you are running Northeast and not averaging $2.40 then you eventually will be out of business. You should also realize that the big guys who are tapping on every American they are not on the blue collar side they are on the white collar side to help them out with out looking into the fairness of the labor laws. I have been told by CH Ronbinson that I have to do at least 50 loads at my cost to see any reasonable market rate from them. And they have been able to beat me down to it with the help of behind the seen Mafia. I do not want to give you all the negatives but you should keep good information on how many loads are available in certain area and how many trucks and the load posting rate. And if you are going to north then you should never except a load less than $3/mile because you usually can't get a good rate out of there. Also if you are going to FL is the same way most of the time. Going to NY is not worth it unless it is at least $4.5/mile on a 600 mile run and if it is shorter then you have to be at a better averages(these numbers I have inquired directly from OOs who go to NY on weekly basis. I will post some more details later.

 

We have found that ITS to be the easiest to work with buy they will nickle and dime you on extra services. Just make sure that before you sign-up for something that you really need it.

Outside of the broker boards (that are free) I would say Members Edge and ITS seem to have the best freight. I do know some that like Members Edge. We started trying them all out, settled on ME and ITS then down to ITS.

Pay attention to what is happening in markets. You want to know if a market is over or under capacity before taking a load into it. Some markets will always be bad but things will turn quickly in better markets.

Personally, long haul flatbed seems like a rough market to go after. But when I was FB I focused on regional better paying loads. If I was you I would focus on some of the key military brokers and try and move equipment.