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Module 2:
Load Boards
1. Trucking Planet
2. Trucker Path
3. DAT Power Select - Carrier
4. Direct Freight Services
5. Next Load
6. Free Freight Search
7. ComFreight
8. 123 Load Board
👉 Article: Do I need an MC Authority to sign up to 123 Load Board?
MODULE 2: LOAD BOARDS AND FINDING LOADS
WHAT IS A LOAD BOARD (SOME EXAMPLES):
What is a load board and what purpose does it serve?
A load board is an online tool used by Shippers, Brokers as well as Carriers to post loads, post trucks, search loads, and search trucks. Depending on the type of load board subscription (VERSION) you have paid for, determines the features you will be able to use.
Shippers use load boards to post their freight (loads) in an effort to get either carriers to directly call them to book those loads or brokers to solicit them for service (Shipper/Broker agreement) by providing those needed carriers to them for a tender fee.
Brokers post loads for their customers (shippers) in an effort to get carriers to contact them to get set up or approved (carrier packet) to move those loads. Rates and fees of the loads posted by the brokers can vary depending on the rate that they received the load from the shipper. The better the shipper rate, the better the possibility of the load rate being passed to the carrier. This is the ideal way it should go in a utopian society, but some brokers try to make more money from a load, thus the carrier loses out in the process. Be mindful of this! If the Broker is an asset-based brokerage (meaning that they own their own trucks), they are able to book loads for their own trucks.
Carriers search for loads on the load board as well as post their trucks on the load board as being available in order to get calls from either Brokers or Shippers as to the availability of their truck(s).
Brokers and/or Shippers purchase load boards with most of the features included, such as the ability to Search Trucks, Post Loads, Post Trucks, and Search Loads.
Carriers purchase load boards with a few features that they only need for their trucking company or themselves as owner operators. These include the ability to only Post Trucks and Search Loads.
HOW TO NAVIGATE A LOAD BOARD
What are some of the features on the load board to look for when navigating them to find loads for your carriers?
SEARCH FEATURES
The initial search features for looking for a load for your carrier includes the details from the carrier profile of your carrier. Be sure to keep that in mind when looking for a load for them. Some of the most common search features include:
🔹Origin (Shipper - Consignor) – where a carrier picks up a load (freight or cargo)
🔹Destination (Receiver - Consignee) – where a carrier delivers a load.
🔹Pickup/Delivery Dates (Available Dates) – what dates the load picks up and delivers.
🔹Time – at what time will carrier pick up or deliver the load?
🔹Equipment Type (48' or 53' Flatbed, 53' Dry Van or 53' Reefer truck and trailer)
🔹Weight - How much weight is on the carrier's trailer?
🔹Search button - click this button when all of your search criteria have been selected.
LOAD DETAILS
Load Details are what appears after you have clicked “Search” from the search features section of the load board. Some of the more common load details you need to be mindful of include:
Pickup and Delivery Dates and Times
🔹Weight – legal load or OD (over dimensional)?
🔹Equipment Type - (48' or 53' Flatbed, 53' Dry Van or 53' Reefer)
🔹Rate – how much does the load pay, which is posted by the freight broker
🔹Miles – what are the loaded miles? Loaded miles are from origin to destination loaded. This does not include deadhead miles, in which the carrier travels empty to the origin (shipper).
🔹Stops – how many extra stops are there on this load?
🔹Dimensions – what are the length, width, and height of the load?
🔹Commodity – what is actually being hauled in the trailer - freight, cargo, goods
🔹Special instructions – Post ID, Reference number, extension of Broker/Shipper.
🔹Broker/Shipper contact details – who to call to book the load.