loadboard for flatbed/stepdeck freight

I've used DAT 360 and ITS.

From my experience they will both have the exact same loads posted. How ever,.. for open deck,.. ITS will show approx 30% more open deck and specialized trailer loads that for what ever reason do not get posted on DAT.

DAT seems to favor Van and Reefer more than open deck.

Hurst

 

I've never paid for it. I just use my carriers account. Pretty sure he has just the basic.

I never used any of the other services they offered. You can look at the brokers MC# and get an idea if they are new or have an older number with a reputable track record. If you plan to use factoring,.. you will need to run the brokers credit score with them.

Its not hard to figure out. If you are a first time O/O,.. you are going to go through a learning curve as to what loads to take and where to take them. You will learn where the dead areas are and rates needed to go into those areas. Where the good lanes are and how to get back into them.

The key to spot market freight is being where you are needed and not competing with 10,000 other trucks over the same 500 loads. Or going into states with piss poor outbound rates. You'll figure it out,.. trial and error will be the best teacher.

Hurst

 

As a broker, I find I get more of my open deck freight covered off of ITS than I do off of DAT, but I definitely post loads to both. I also find that they work better in different regions, too. For northeast work, I tend to find DAT works better.

 

Get a central dispatch account and some over the tire straps and haul cars out of florida.

 

Lol Florida is one of the cheapest yo haul cars out of. Sometimes equipment and bigger vehicles are listed on there though.

 

I started with car hauling. Lost my shorts in less than a year.

Now with open deck,.. I have a guy in Tampa I haul stacked mixer chassis. Not a spectacular rate. But will be twice what 3 or 4 cars will pay on my deck.

Most of the time I just dead head up into Ga just on principle. I refuse to haul for Fla rates. I dont see how companies and other O/O's support that none sense and allow it to continue.

Hurst

 

No disrespect,.. but unless its changed,.. Central Dispatch was a joke when I tried using it for car hauling years ago.

For open deck and OTR, ITS can sustain a savvy O/O with much better results.

Ultimately the goal is to ween yourself off the loadboards and deal direct with preferred brokers and shippers. That comes with experience and time.

Hurst