Do you run a car hauling business but you find it difficult to get loads? If YES, here are 7 ways to find car hauling loads successfully. Just like we all know, the trucking industry is a gigantic industry that offers so many career opportunities for drivers. Car hauling remains one of the hardest, yet profitable options.
Note that to become an independent car hauler you are expected to meet regular requirements (clean driving record, drug screen, high school diploma, etc.) and some special requirements that are connected to heavy trucking and car hauling.
Car haulers can also secure employment with a trucking company or work independently as a contract driver. With careful driving skills and required licensing, you can have a rewarding career as a car hauler.
In this sector, customers entrust car haulers with the safe delivery of their property, so a hauler is expected to extensively protect his truck, as well as the transported vehicles. A car hauler should also know how to correctly load and unload vehicles onto various types of hauling rigs, using the most up-to-date equipment.
According to industry reports, hand – and – eye coordination is one very vital skill, along with good visual and hearing ability. Since car haulers are often personally responsible for loading and unloading the vehicles, customer service skills are imperative to communicate with clients at the departure and arrival locations.
No matter how much the world changes around us, one thing that remains constant is the need for truckers to know how to find loads to haul. Through freight recessions to capacity shortages, pandemics to recovery, trucks need to keep rolling to get paid.
So whether you are an owner operator trying to find the best load board for trucking, or a fleet owner trying to learn how to get freight contracts, all truckers are on the same hunting trail. Here are the most common ways to find Hauling Loads in the United States.
7 Ways to Find Car Hauling Loads Successfully
1. Load Boards
Load boards remain one very popular method that connects shippers directly to truckers. These boards make it very easy to find freight loads by having multiple listings to choose from and most of the shipment details are spelled out.
Note that a simple and quick Google search will uncover online load boards with free or paid options to choose from. However, the trick is finding good load boards that meet your needs so you are not wasting time.
Also note that the best load board for owner operators and trucking fleets of all sizes will offer free trials, have mobile apps so you can search for loads to haul on the go and send you notifications so you never miss a high – paying load. Always ensure you receive notifications from the load board for load searches. You don’t want to miss any load posts.
2. Broker Portals
Also, for independent contractors looking for freight to haul, a freight broker can help. Freight brokers are popular for connecting shippers to truckers, and this is a good option if you are just starting out. These experts help find truck loads for owner operators and fleet owners.
The best part is they do most of the legwork for you, including negotiating the rates with shippers. These brokers make it easier for independent truck drivers looking for quality loads because they more or less already have a relationship with the shippers.
Using a freight broker is one way to get loads for trucks but it can cost you. Look out for hidden fees associated with this service. .
3. Cold Calling
Places like auto auction sells thousands of cars and constantly need trucks to bring inventory. Different auctions have different needs depending on what they sell. Salvage auctions and dealer auctions are very different in how they operate.
Although it takes a little more work at the start, many freight companies find their owner operator trucking contracts through prospecting. Do some research on what shippers are in your area, what they ship and where. Then you make contact, either by cold calling the person in charge of shipping or knocking on their doors.
Introduce yourself. Set up a meeting. Ask questions about their trucking needs and be prepared to check back in with them. You never know, new opportunities might come up at a later date. Prospecting for trucker loads can be a bit of a numbers game, so keep at it.
4. Dispatch Services
You can hire a dispatcher directly (with industry experience and contacts in tow) or contract with a trucking dispatching service to help connect you with brokers and shippers.
In many cases, trucking dispatchers will also offer some administrative services like accounting, billing, and collections. Also, trucking dispatchers also aid haulers by providing the back office services that help to ensure shippers pay invoices on time.
5. Government Contracts
One of the biggest shippers in the United States is the government, and the government is outsourcing its staffing needs, and transportation is no exception. Note that this isn’t just the federal government with government trucking contracts to fill.
State and local governments have transportation needs as well, and you can bet no matter where in the country you are, there is a government agency nearby.
Have it in mind that becoming a government contractor requires a few extra steps, including registering to be one. Another approach is to partner with a company already hauling under a government contract. Call your city or state government for more details.
6. Become a Broker
You can also consider becoming freight broker to broker your own loads. This is more or less the most complex way to find loads for trucking and the lead time is substantial. Note that you will need to train to be a broker, either with an established broker or by taking some classes.
However, the result and payoff of being your own broker could be huge but it might not be a gamble you are comfortable with.
7. Networking
Networking is the catalyst to success of most small businesses in the United States, including freight companies. You can begin by getting involved with industry associations and going to events that your shippers are attending. Also remember that the internet is a vast and wonderful place to do some sleuthing on what is going on in your industry.
Take your time to find out what associations there are. You want to find one that focuses on the type of freight you are interested in. A lot of associations only allow companies that work in their industry to join. Joining a trucking association might not be the best idea if networking or prospecting is your end goal.
Although there are no clients there — mostly just competitors, it will offer you opportunities to get referrals from people who work in your industry. Shake some hands and meet people. You’ll be surprised at how this small investment in time can pay off in the future.
Just like most marketing strategies, the best approach is to try few different options to see what works best for you. If you realize your competitors are using one method, try standing out and being different. Discovering the best load board can help you become familiar with the opportunities in your area.
Prospecting and networking take time to produce great leads, but there are reasons businesses in the industry leverage these strategies.