Technology is transforming the trucking industry like never before. GPS tracking, computerized truck monitoring, cloud-based fleet management, onboard diagnostics, and telematics are some technologies that are moving the trucking industry forward. Technology is also being used to connect owner-operators and trucking companies with freight brokers and shippers. But, of course, we are talking about truck load boards, also referred to as freight load boards. So what is a truck load board? This Balboa Capital blog article has the information you need to know about truck load boards, including how they work and how they can help grow your trucking business.
History of load boards.
Before the advent of the Internet, WiFi, cloud computing, smartphones, tablets, and laptops, finding information about loads and available trucks was challenging and time-consuming. First, trucking companies and dispatchers would post notes on truck stop bulletin boards or at roadside cafes and restaurants for drivers to see. Then, the drivers took turns making long-distance calls from a pay phone to ask about the particulars of the loads and get them lined up.
In 1978, a Jubitz truck stop in Portland, Oregon, introduced an alternative to paper-based note cards: Dial-A-Truck. With Dial-A-Truck, truck drivers could view upcoming loads on a monitor, which was more accessible and efficient than sifting through handwritten or typed note cards that adorned the walls at truck stops, cafes, and restaurants. By the mid-1980s, Dial-A-Truck monitors could be found at hundreds of truck stops from coast to coast. In 1989, Dial-A-Truck became DAT Services, and today it is the biggest on-demand freight marketplace in North America.
Today, there are so many load boards to choose from it can be difficult for owner-operators to find one that meets their needs, saves them time and money, and offers the best features and services.
How a truck load board works.
A load board is a web-based app that matches the available trucks with the available loads. Truck drivers can access a load board app with a secure Internet connection from any smartphone or tablet. In addition, there are websites and online forums that list freight forwarding ads. So, truck drivers have many options when it comes to finding loads.
Load boards provide a list of potential shippers and receivers who have expressed an interest in using the service, along with details about what they are looking for and where they are located. Truck drivers can use this information to find freight, while shippers and receivers can use it to find drivers for their freight needs. When there is a match, the driver and company can agree on pickup times and drop-off locations for their cargo.
Example of how load boards work.
To illustrate how a load board works, here is an example. Kyle is an owner-operator who lives in Indiana and has several contacts that keep him on the road in neighboring states. However, Kyle heard from other owner-operators that hauling loads to New York and Massachusetts offers more pay.
So, he downloaded a load board app to his mobile phone, created an account, and included information about his business and truck and desired load-hauling destinations (New York and Massachusetts). Not soon after that, Kyle found available loads for these two locations, along with routes, and he hit the road. In addition, he was contacted by brokers who use the same load board, which resulted in more jobs and revenue.
How much does it cost?
Access to available loads can help new and long-established truck drivers find good-paying jobs and maximize their earnings. Plus, load boards can help truck drivers land more customers who might hire them again in the future. These are some of the main reasons why they invest in load boards. The majority of load boards have monthly or annual subscription fees. The monthly subscription fee for load boards ranges from $25 to $175.
Each load board provider’s primary goal is to help owner-operators and trucking companies find loads from freight brokers and shippers. When a connection is made, it is a win-win for all parties involved, and it helps ensure the delivery of goods, foods, and other products to their intended locations. But some load providers also offer additional features and options. These include instant bidding, which lets drivers bid on loads based on what they feel the jobs are worth and integrated freight factoring, which facilitates faster payment to drivers. Other features may include advanced search functionality and search filters, mileage and routing information, load counts by city and state, and broker reviews from truck drivers.
What about free load boards?
Next, free load boards are also available to owner-operators, trucking companies, brokers, and shippers. The free load boards typically have fewer built-in features and capabilities than their paid counterparts, and they often require more screen time to locate a decent load. That said, most large freight brokers offer free access to their load boards, which opens the door to potential jobs for owner-operators and trucking companies.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
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