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Blueprint to Find Truck Loads for Your Fleet
Jun 17, 2021

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.

Your Guide to the Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program

17 Jun, 2021
It’s impossible to think of the trucking industry without considering Amazon. In 2019, the company delivered 4.5 billion packages in the United States . Their Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program enables anyone with some startup capital the opportunity to get involved in their massively successful business venture. There are pros and cons to becoming an Amazon DSP, but the steady stream of work is certainly eye-catching to start-up trucking companies. Amazon lays out some of the most important information , but let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions.

Your Guide to DOT Background Check Requirements for Drivers

17 Jun, 2021
A thorough, compliant background screening program for your drivers should be the backbone of your hiring strategy. Background checks ensure that your new drivers have all of the qualifications necessary to do the job well and to best represent your company out on the road. Background checks also, of course, weed out any drivers with disqualifying criminal histories, a history of driving violations, and substance abuse problems. That’s why they should be a standard part of your fleet safety program anyway (link to “Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember”). In our regulated industry, a DOT background check is required. Here’s how DOT background check requirements differ from standard employment screening.

Will Truck Driving Be Automated?

17 Jun, 2021
It’s the question on the minds of truck drivers, owners, and delivery companies everywhere: will truck driving be automated? Automated trucks have been a conversation point for years now, with many worrying that technology advances will put millions of people out of work. Despite these concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5% growth for trucking employment in the coming years. While other industries struggle to adapt to new technology, the trucking industry is greatly benefiting from it. There are a range of opinions when it comes to this question, though most truck drivers seem confident that their jobs can’t (or at least won’t) be done by machines any time soon. Before getting into the trucking industry, it’s important that you take a look at the landscape and make an educated decision about it—but remember there will always be a need to move goods from one place to another, and the explosion in online ordering suggests that need is only going to expand. Let’s take a look at the current state of automated trucks as we dive into the question: will truck driving be automated?

What Is Carbon Neutral Shipping & How Do Companies Become Carbon Neutral?

17 Jun, 2021
Trucking and logistics is no longer just about getting materials from point A to point B. Much like consumers want to buy their products from socially responsible corporations or boycott businesses that don’t align with their beliefs, many companies want to work with trucking companies that prove they care about the environment. Whether due to their personal beliefs, to the corporate responsibility goals they’re mandated to meet, or to a desire to please their own customer base, you’re serving clients who will ask about your carbon neutral shipping practices sooner rather than later. Now is the time to start taking this topic seriously. Do you find yourself asking “what is carbon neutral shipping anyway?” Are you wondering why carbon neutral shipping might be a benefit? Curious to know how companies become carbon neutral? Keep reading to discover the answers to all of your questions about this climate-responsible approach to business.

What Do I Need to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
The trucking industry landscape is largely made up of small businesses—with over 90% of companies operating fewer than seven trucks—so there is room for you if you’re considering starting a small trucking business. Whether you’re a professional truck driver already or you’re just a prospective business owner looking to cash in on the projected growth in the industry, you can get on the road toward a successful business with our help. What do you need to start your own trucking business? Just a little bit of insight from Gold Star’s experts.

The Facts & Figures: How Much Does it Cost to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
Are you ready to work for yourself? Find yourself wondering how much does it cost to start a trucking company? Some estimates anticipate between $10,000 and $20,000 to get started with a small trucking company, assuming you don’t have to factor in the average cost of a semi truck. What goes into the cost of starting a logistics company? Let’s take a look.
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