How to Use DAT Loadboard

Load boards are databases where shippers and brokers post freight. O/O and Trucking companies can post availability of trucks.

Some of these are hot loads they couldn't get covered and some will be just high volume freight that they know will get hauled at a good rate for one reason or another.

Here Are Some Tips for Using Loadboards

• Pay attention to pay of similar freight in the area going to the same destination area.  
• Lock at the 15 or 30 day average.
• Get references from other drivers about load boards
• Always try to negotiate a better rate than what's posted
• Notice what areas of the country pay high and low and when
• Do a search on the brokers or company posting the load
  

Which Load Board Is Better?

Most load boards will have some type of membership fee to use them. Talk to drivers and get feed back about the level of satisfaction they have with the load board that they use.

I have heard many drivers speak well of Internet Truckstop, Get Loaded, and DAT.  I use DAT ONE and that works pretty well.  That's what you see in the video.

Uship is relatively new type of load board that is gaining a lot of traction too.  The freight is most often too cheap to haul.  Unless you get lucky.

If you want to ship something use Uship. lol.

traffic and weather in route to destination of load available back haul loads credibility or credit rating of company posting routing of the load ability to post the truck ability to post the freight

Many options to choose from At the end of the day.  You see that there are many options to choose from in order to find freight. Some drivers think anyone in the middle man position between shipper and hauler is a crook.

Reality is, the legitimate freight broker and legitimate load boards are important necessities to the trucking industry that will be here to stay for many reasons.

Some companies outsource freight brokering because logistics is either a minor nuisance or too complex part of their operation. Some companies find it cheaper to have this outsourced rather than hire and train new people. Also there will always be companies that are in growth limbo or transition where outsourcing is perfect even if temporary. You are going to have load boards and freight brokers.

What Good Load Boards Have You Used? If you have questions about load boards or you have used a good load board post the comment or question below.

Using Private Loadboards

Lots of trucking companies and brokers have their own load boads to sign up to now.  I'm not on all of them so I don't know for sure.  But I know when I look at J.B. Hunt loadboard or Amazons loadboard or Nolan Transportation's loadboad and some others...  the rates are even cheaper than on DAT.

So I believe it's a waste of time going to their loadboard.  I don't want to haul that for their rates.

Here's why I think I'm right.  Sometimes these loads end up on DAT.  And when they do, the rate is higher than when it's on their loadboard.

I'm wondering if they couldn't get it moved for the cheap rate they have gotten it moved for so they post it on DAT because they don't want to change the expectations of drivers using their loadboard.

So someone like me will take it on DAT and they only post it when it's getting down to the wire.

So do what you want.  I rarely use their load boards and when i do, i ask for higher rate.

Spotting Fake Loads

There's been a lot of fake loads posted lately.  Over a span of weeks now.  Seems like it's the new norm.  In this video, I'll show you how to spot them.

Here are some things to look for

• Look for mis matching email for contact info
• Look for ridiculously high rates
• Higher rates when there's plenty of time for pickup an delivery
• Van and Power only same rate
• They don't give you all of the details about the pickup... like the pickup#
• Their response includes broken english
• Response show lack of experience with freight terminology.  You ask them one thing and they answer another.
• Won't answer the phone
• Check their website to see if it works

• Top of the Page
• Choosing the Loads
  

Interested in Going Owner Op?

Check these Links!

Should You Buy a Trucker

Used vs New - plus which model

What is Leasing

Getting Your Authority

Load Board Training

When Choosing a Load...

Owner Op Tips

New To Trucking?  Check These Links

New to Trucking?  Check These Links

• Tips for New Drivers
• Becoming a Truck Driver
• CDL Training Options
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Trucker Slang and CB Talk
• Types of Truck Driving Jobs
• Choosing Trucking Company
  

Finding The best load to haul will depend on what's important to you. It's like playing chess not checkers.

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