Let’s say you’ve done all of the groundwork: you’ve completed the paperwork, received all of your registrations, and bought or leased a truck or two. Now, you’re ready to get on the road and start making money. But if you’re new to the trucking industry, you might be asking one of the most basic and important questions there is: how do I find truck loads? Look no further. If you’re wondering how to find truck loads, we’ve got your blueprint right here.
How to Find Truck Loads: 6 Paths to Consider
Work Directly With a Shipper
The simplest solution for how to find truck loads is also the most obvious: you can contract directly with a shipper. If you source and connect with a shipper on your own, you’re cutting out the middlemen mentioned below, which means more money in your pocket. However, this can be a time-consuming process. Most consistent shippers will already have a contracted, reliable fleet, but if you’re able to get in on a bid, you should.
Partner with a Freight Broker
A freight broker’s job is to connect shippers to truckers, so working with a freight broker might be your ideal solution for how to find truck loads. Particularly if you’re just starting out in the trucking business (link to 6 Questions New Fleet Owners Always Ask), freight brokers can be a great option because they already have relationships with shippers. Many shippers won’t open contracts to owner/operators or small carriers, but via a freight broker, you’ll have access to those opportunities. Keep in mind that you might pay a hefty commission to work with a freight broker, though.
Hire a Dispatcher
If you want to bring the task of finding loads in-house, you can hire a dispatcher that works directly for your company. This position should be someone with experience, particularly because (like a freight broker) the success of this position often relies on the relationships they have with brokers and shippers. Often, a dispatcher will also assist with some administrative tasks, like invoicing, billing, collections, and accounting.
Seek Government Contracts
Government contracts can be a solid, steady strategy for how to find truck loads. The federal government, state governments, and local governments all have transportation needs. Research what is available in your city or state (or call your local government agencies directly). You might even work with another company who is already providing this service to the government (and the
DOT suggests this might strengthen your bid).
Utilize a Load Board
Want a do-it-yourself option for how to find truck loads? If you’re not ready to hire a dispatcher or partner with a freight broker, accessing online load boards might be your best path forward. Load boards are online listings of available freight loads, and they will clearly outline the details of the shipment needs so that you can find options that meet your qualifications. Load boards come in both free and paid options, and many will offer other helpful tools like on-the-go apps, notifications, and free trials.
Download a Load Matching App
Speaking of apps, you can also look for load matching apps. Much like a load board, these apps allow truckers to search for available loads. It’s a highly automated process that requires little-to-no human interaction. Truckers simply accept a posted load and start the job. Rather than negotiating rates, a load matching app comes with a non-negotiable posted rate.
Let Goldstar Find Truck Loads for You
Discovering how to find truck loads that are consistent and well-paying is one of the more difficult parts of starting a trucking company. Any of these avenues explained above might work for your company, but if you’re still wondering where to get started, let Gold Star help. We offer dispatching services and a dispatch daily load request form so you can get on the road with ease.
