Load Boards and Marketplaces

Load Boards and Freight Marketplaces

Load boards are the lifeblood of the spot freight market, connecting carriers with available loads and brokers with available trucks. For dispatchers, mastering load board usage is essential for finding profitable freight, minimizing deadhead miles, and keeping trucks moving. This guide covers the major load boards, how to use them effectively, and strategies for success.

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What are Load Boards?

Definition:

Load Board:

• Online marketplace matching available freight with available trucks
• Brokers/shippers post loads
• Carriers post available trucks
• Both parties search and connect

Purpose:

• ✅ Find freight quickly
• ✅ Fill empty trucks
• ✅ Access spot market rates
• ✅ Connect with new brokers/carriers

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Major Load Boards

1. DAT (Dial-A-Truck)

Industry Leader:

• Largest load board in North America
• 1.4 million loads posted daily
• 400+ million loads posted annually
• Established 1978

Features:

• Load Search: Filter by equipment, origin, destination, rate
• Truck Posting: Post available trucks to attract broker calls
• Rate Analysis: DAT RateView (historical rates by lane)
• Broker Credit: TIA credit ratings for brokers
• Fuel Prices: Fuel finder by location
• Mobile App: iOS and Android

Plans:

• DAT One: Basic load board access
• DAT Power: Advanced features, rate analytics
• DAT Broker TMS: For freight brokers

Cost:

• $125-$400/month depending on plan and users

Best For:

• Professional dispatchers and carriers of all sizes
• Those wanting market rate intelligence

Website: dat.com

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2. Truckstop.com (Internet Truckstop)

Second Largest:

• 1+ million loads daily
• Comprehensive freight marketplace
• Strong broker network

Features:

• Load and truck posting
• Credit reports (Truckstop Credit & Assurance)
• Fuel optimization
• Rate intelligence
• Load matching (recommendations)
• Mobile app

Plans:

• Truckstop Basic
• Truckstop Plus
• Truckstop Pro

Cost:

• $60-$300/month

Best For:

• Carriers wanting alternative to DAT
• Budget-conscious small fleets

Website: truckstop.com

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3. 123Loadboard

Growing Platform:

• Newer competitor
• Lower cost alternative
• Good load availability

Features:

• Load search and truck posting
• Mobile app
• Text/call broker directly from app
• Credit information

Cost:

• $29-$99/month (very affordable)

Best For:

• Small carriers
• Owner-operators
• Budget-focused operations

Website: 123loadboard.com

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4. Direct Freight

Alternative Option:

• Solid load availability
• User-friendly interface

Features:

• Load/truck posting
• Broker credit info
• Rate information

Cost:

• $75-$150/month

Best For:

• Carriers wanting multiple board access
• Regional carriers

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5. Uber Freight

Digital Freight Matching:

• App-based load marketplace
• Instant booking (no phone calls)
• Transparent pricing (upfront rates)

How It Works:

• Browse available loads in app
• See rate upfront
• Book with one tap
• Track and get paid

Features:

• No phone negotiations (pro and con)
• Quick Pay (payment in days, not weeks)
• Simple process
• Lower rates than traditional brokers (generally)

Cost:

• Free for carriers
• Uber takes margin from shipper

Best For:

• Tech-savvy carriers
• Those wanting quick booking
• Small carriers who don't like phone negotiations

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6. Convoy

Similar to Uber Freight:

• Digital freight network
• Instant booking
• Upfront pricing

Features:

• App-based
• No phone calls
• Transparent rates
• Fast payment

Cost:

• Free for carriers

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How to Use Load Boards Effectively

Setting Up Your Search:

Essential Filters:

1. ✅ Equipment Type: Dry van, reefer, flatbed, etc.
2. ✅ Origin: Pickup city, state, or radius
3. ✅ Destination: Delivery city, state, or radius (or "anywhere")
4. ✅ Pickup Dates: Today, tomorrow, or date range
5. ✅ Minimum Rate: Don't waste time on low-ball loads

Advanced Filters:

• Max Age: How old the post can be (newer = better availability)
• Partial: Allows partial loads or LTL
• Hazmat: Include or exclude hazardous materials
• Team Drivers: Requires team (longer runs)
• Length/Weight: Specific requirements

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Reading Load Postings:

Typical Posting:

ORIGIN: Los Angeles, CA 90001
DESTINATION: Dallas, TX 75001
PICKUP: 02/05/24
DELIVERY: 02/08/24
EQUIPMENT: 53' Dry Van
WEIGHT: 42,000 lbs
RATE: $2,500 (1,500 mi = $1.67/mi)
COMMODITY: Consumer Goods
CONTACT: ABC Logistics - 555-1234

What to Check:

• ✅ Rate per mile: Divide total by miles
• ✅ Pickup/delivery dates: Does driver have time?
• ✅ Weight: Within equipment capacity?
• ✅ Broker: Reputable? Check credit rating
• ✅ Commodity: Any special requirements?

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Broker Credit Checks:

Why Important:

• Avoid brokers who don't pay
• Reduce financial risk
• Verify legitimacy

Tools:

• DAT: Carrier Watch, credit scores
• Truckstop: Credit & Assurance reports
• RMIS (RTS): Credit reports ($10-$30 each)
• Freight Guard: Scam prevention

Red Flags:

• ❌ No MC Authority or inactive
• ❌ Multiple complaints on FMCSA SAFER
• ❌ Poor credit rating
• ❌ Very new broker (under 6 months) with no history
• ❌ Suspiciously high rates (scam indicator)

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Negotiating from Load Boards

Initial Contact:

Phone Call Best Practices:

• Professional greeting
• State your MC number immediately
• Mention equipment and availability
• Ask about rate flexibility

Example:

"Hi, I'm calling about the LA to Dallas load posted. I'm with Blue Sky Trucking, MC-123456. I have a 53' dry van available in LA tomorrow. What's your best rate on this load?"

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Rate Negotiation:

Know Your Numbers:

• Cost per mile (fuel, driver, overhead)
• Minimum acceptable rate
• Market rate for lane (DAT RateView)

Negotiation Tips:

• Start higher than posted (if rate seems low)
• Mention your qualifications (safety rating, equipment quality)
• Ask about additional services (detention, tarp fees, extra stops)
• Be willing to walk away from bad rates

When to Accept:

• Rate meets or exceeds your minimum
• Load gets you to better market
• Fills gap in schedule (better than sitting)

When to Decline:

• Below operating cost
• Destinations with terrible backhaul (Florida!)
• Broker has poor credit or reputation

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Advanced Load Board Strategies

1. Destination Flexibility:

"Anywhere" Searches:

• Search for loads from current location to "anywhere"
• Sort by rate per mile
• Choose destinations with good backhaul

Strategic Positioning:

• Take slightly lower rate to reach high-rate market
• Example: TX → CA at $1.80/mi to access CA → TX at $3.00/mi

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2. Timing Your Search:

Early Morning (6-8 AM):

• Fresh loads posted overnight
• Less competition
• Best selection

Mid-Morning (9-11 AM):

• Peak posting time
• Most loads available
• Also most competition

Afternoon:

• Hot loads (same-day pickup) may pay premium
• Desperate brokers might negotiate higher

Evening:

• Tomorrow's loads start posting
• Plan ahead for early pickups

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3. Building Broker Relationships:

First Load:

• Be professional, on-time, communicative
• Do exactly what you promised

Follow-Up:

• After successful delivery, call broker:
• "Load delivered perfectly. I'm heading to [location], do you have any freight there?"

Consistency:

• Work with same brokers regularly
• They'll call YOU with loads (no board searching)
• Better rates for preferred carriers

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4. Truck Posting:

Post Your Available Truck:

• Equipment type, location, availability date
• Brokers search for trucks and call you
• Be responsive when phone rings

Effective Posting:

TRUCK: 53' Dry Van
LOCATION: Dallas, TX
AVAILABLE: 02/06/24
DESTINATION: West Coast preferred, anywhere considered
CONTACT: John - 555-9876
MC: 123456

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Load Board Red Flags and Scams

Common Scams:

1. Double Brokering:

• Broker re-brokers load without authority
• Original broker and second "broker" both take margin
• If issues arise, complicated liability

Signs:

• Vague pickup/delivery info
• Won't provide shipper contact
• Rate seems too good
• Newly registered broker

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2. Identity Theft:

• Scammer impersonates legitimate carrier
• Books load using real carrier's MC number
• Picks up freight and disappears
• Real carrier gets blamed

Protection:

• Verify broker calling matches MC Authority
• Never share MC number password/PIN
• Use unique email for load confirmations

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3. Fake Rate Confirmations:

• Load seems real, RC looks legit
• After delivery, broker doesn't exist or won't pay
• Freight picked up and delivered, no payment

Protection:

• Verify broker MC Authority (FMCSA SAFER)
• Check broker credit rating
• Call broker's listed number (not just number on posting)
• If deal seems too good, it probably is

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4. Advance Fee Scams:

• Broker asks for "fee" to access "premium loads"
• Or registration fee, subscription fee, etc.
• No legitimate broker charges carriers to haul freight

Protection:

• NEVER pay broker to access loads
• Legitimate model: You haul, they pay you

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Conclusion

Load boards are essential tools for accessing the spot freight market. Success requires understanding how to search effectively, negotiate confidently, verify broker legitimacy, and avoid scams.

Key Takeaways:

Major Load Boards:

• ✅ DAT: Industry leader, most loads, best tools
• ✅ Truckstop.com: Strong alternative, good rates
• ✅ 123Loadboard: Budget-friendly option
• ✅ Uber Freight/Convoy: Digital booking, instant rates

Effective Usage:

• ✅ Set up smart filters
• ✅ Search multiple times daily
• ✅ Check broker credit before booking
• ✅ Negotiate rates confidently
• ✅ Post your truck for inbound broker calls

Strategies:

• ✅ Minimize deadhead with backhaul planning
• ✅ Build broker relationships for direct loads
• ✅ Use rate intelligence tools
• ✅ Time searches for best selection

Avoid Scams:

• ✅ Verify broker authority (FMCSA SAFER)
• ✅ Check credit ratings
• ✅ Never pay broker to access loads
• ✅ Trust your instincts (if it seems off, it probably is)

"Load boards are tools, not magic. Success comes from smart searching, relationship building, and knowing when to say no."

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Continue Learning:

• Overview of Dispatching Software
• Route Planning and Optimization Tools
• Finding and Negotiating Loads

Master load boards to keep trucks loaded and profitable. Continue your education at Carriversity.