Hauling produce. Who are the biggest brokers?

Definitely not something that anyone likes to share . . .

 

Look in Salinas, CA for produce companies. Many of the major companies are based there. If you get in with one of two them you can be set for the seasons BUT you will be tested before they really start wanting to work with you. And the reason they will send it out to a TQL or CHR is that these companies can move the loads and have dedicated people working in the markets with good contacts.

Best plan is take a load from anyone out of Salinas. Arrive a day or so before the load ships, get a rental car and make in person cold calls. In a day you will likely find several that you can work with.

 

While there r sum very reputable profitable produce brokers--one of the best ways to make money and stay consistent is to try and work a deal w/a decent size dist in UR area--then u become the buyers truck-and the game changes considerably--u may still have to work thru a broker--but it is on the terms u have set with ur customer-)besides then every load brings u back home--has worked 4 us for many moons--
Just b careful of the BIG groceries etc--while u still can make deals with sum o them--this is how most of themega reefer fleets finally managed to break into the produce biz&of course start to #### it all up
Good Luck

 

It is likely he never made the money you saw posted on these loads. I lived in the Salinas Valley for many years and developed a lot of person friendships with the owners and managers of some of these companies. I have asked about the rates that are posted and they laugh at that report.

But agree, these are rough loads. Package isn't as bad but nothing worse than getting stuck with refused load. I had one years ago and the lumpers wanted to charge me again to put it back on the trailer. I still hadn't paid for the unload and told him that guy that just refused could pay for it all. If he didn't want it he could eat the fees. Would have made my life easier to just leave the stuff there.