Load Boards and Freight Finders
Load Boards and Freight Finders are ways of matching up freight that needs to be moved with the proper and right equipment and drivers to move it. Although the original load boards were available at selected truck stops. Since it cost the truck stops money to install the systems, many were reluctant to do it, although the pay back was that it attracted drivers to park there. Since the driver(s) were waiting on loads, they would likely spend money in the driver’s store, restaurant, opt for truck PM and maintenance, etc.
In the old days – load board access was only available at (select) truck stops or via the home office on a data link. The growth of the internet started changing all that. Now many times drivers/owner-operators can find loads at any place where that can access the internet, even truck stops that do not have load board systems installed.
Additionally, may of the major load boards have portals for access using lap top computers, tablets and smart phones. This allows many drivers to function as their own dispatch service and reduces the need to rely on unknown and unverified brokers.
The value in load boards is the ability to scan loads looking for the best loads that may be available. Calling a broker and asking for work may result in the broker offering the most important load to the broker. There may be other work that pays more and dispatches sooner or even delivers closer to home, but the broker has promised a shipper and is now worried about getting the freight moved.
Why use Load Boards and Freight Finders
With the display of loads based on selected search criteria, truck owners, drivers or dispatch personnel can select from numerous loads that are the most profitable for the truck – which may pay less per mile but involve less detention/wait time and fewer unloaded and thus unpaid miles.
Some Load Boards and Freight Finders validate the brokers and shippers that are posting to their system. This helps reduce the rick of the truck not getting paid for the freight because the load board stands behind broker assuring payments. Brokers that don’t promptly and accurately settle up risk being barred from the load board making it harder to move their future goods.
There are numerous Electronic Load Board systems, but DAT (part of Roper Industries), is the largest and best know. It all started in 1978 at a single truck stop in Oregon and now located in truck stops from coast to coast. There are other systems and truck owners should review several to make sure they get the best on to match their needs. DAT is a general board with loads for a variety of equipments (van, flat, tanker, dump, etc), however there are also load board systems that are tailored to specific equipment. These targeted load boards may offer your truck the best value. So signing up for a load board service is like all business decisions – gets lots of information first and then talk to drivers at truck stops to see what their experiences have been.
Most trucking companies, at some time or another, will need the services of Load Boards and Freight Finders.