Trucking companies and other shipping businesses often have to go through a lot of hassle when it comes to finding the best loads for their trucks. It can be hard to find loads that are profitable, high-paying, and worth the time.
The good news is that there are apps that can help truckers find loads more easily than ever. These apps make it easier to find the right type of load, and they also help truckers find high-paying loads they might not have known about otherwise. This can help truckers save time and money while also increasing their profits.
In this article, we’re going to look at some of the best apps for truck loads. We’ll show you what each app offers and how it works so you can decide which one is right for your needs.
best apps for truck loads
The smartphone is now an essential on-the-road tool for any professional trucker. Whether you’re searching for the nearest rest area or planning the best route, there are an array of trucking apps for your smart phone that can help you deliver your loads safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
Have a look below at our list of the top mobile apps for truckers in 2021. Give these helpful tools a try!
Trucker Path
Trucker Path is one of the most widely used apps for truck drivers thanks to its diverse range of trucker tools. The Trucker Path app displays real-time truck parking availability and nearby weigh stations, along with the ability to check weigh station status history. The app comes with a trip planner that shows thousands of fuel stops and truck stops across the United States and Canada for maximum route optimization. Due to its popularity, Trucker Path also has a built-in forum that makes it a great place to discuss trucking trends and ideas among fellow truck drivers.
Trucker Path is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
Rolling Strong
Long periods of sitting and driving can take a huge toll on your body and mind. Thankfully, Rolling Strong is here to help alleviate those problems. Rolling Strong is an industry-specific app that targets health and wellness for the transportation industry through its Driver Wellness program. With Rolling Strong, you can log and track calories, sleep, and water, as well as create your own favorite recipes on the go. The app also provides on-demand wellness coaching, health podcasts, workout routines, and a community forum.
Rolling Strong is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
GoShare
If you’re looking to put your truck to work and earn some extra money on your time, GoShare is the perfect solution for finding hot shot loads. GoShare is an app that connects truck and van owners to individuals and businesses who seek help with moving and delivering large items on demand. A diverse number of jobs can be found on the GoShare platform, ranging from construction delivery to apartment moving. Through GoShare’s hot shot load board, truckers can earn anywhere from $33 to $67 an hour, plus tips.
You can apply at GoShare.co/Drivers and download the driver app on the App Store and Google Play.
Trucker Tools
The Trucker Tools carrier app allows truckers to book loads directly from their phone. The app also helps you save money on fuel, find truck stops, parking, weigh stations, Walmart locations and more, while on the road.
Trucker Tools is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
GasBuddy
Saving thousands of dollars on gas or diesel is a great goal to set, especially if you don’t own one of the most fuel-efficient trucks. The GasBuddy app is effective at finding the cheapest gas prices and diesel prices from the best gas stations near you. When using GasBuddy, you’ll have the ability to filter the search results by fuel price, location, brand, and amenities like car washes, restaurants, and restrooms. Since so much time is spent on the road as a truck driver, it’s vital to take advantage of an app like GasBuddy that helps you realize cost savings without any hassle.
GasBuddy is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
Waze
Waze is the largest traffic and navigation app thanks to its innovative technology. The Waze app directs users based on crowdsourced information and consists of real-time updates on traffic, police, hazards, construction, and more. Waze formulates the optimal route based on these factors so you can save money and time on the way to your destination. The app provides instantaneous traffic alerts and an accurate estimate of arrival time. Plus, you don’t have to risk safety by using your cell phone to constantly switch apps for music; Waze has partnered with Spotify, giving you the ability to play your favorite music directly from the app.
Waze is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
The Weather Channel
Weather makes a huge impact on driveability and safety on the road. Luckily, The Weather Channel is an app that accurately forecasts daily weather conditions so you can successfully navigate the road without worry. The app contains live radar updates and severe weather alerts so you know exactly what you’re up against in case of hazardous conditions. If you plan to take a long road trip or haul delicate furniture in the back of your pickup truck, then it’s a good idea to check out The Weather Channel beforehand so you can avoid any unforeseen problems while on the road.
The Weather Channel is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
Google Tasks
As an owner-operator who owns a hot shot trucking business and an entire trucking fleet, it can get hectic managing operations on a daily basis. Google Tasks is a daily planner app that allows you to add or customize tasks, set reminders, and due dates, and create to-do lists. Truckers lead a busy schedule, which means it’s easy to lose track of priorities. Google Tasks is the perfect organizer app to ensure that your daily goals are successfully met.
Google Tasks is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
MyRadar
Get fast, up-to-date weather updates from MyRadar. Truckers love this app because of its ability to provide wind speeds and inclement weather predictions. The forecast is generally accurate and precise, giving truck drivers an indication of the duration, intensity, and path of the storm.
Google Tasks is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
truck loads for owner-operators
7 Ways to Get Loads for Your Trucking Business
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.
Whether you’re 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. Your best strategy is to use every tactic available to book freight. Here are 7 ways to find more loads.
1. Owner Operators or Fleet Owners Looking for Freight Brokers
How to find loads to haul is always a big question on the minds of owner operators and fleets owners. For independent contractors looking for freight to haul, a freight broker can help. Freight brokers connect shippers to truckers, and this is a good option if you’re just starting out. Freight brokers 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. Brokers make it easier for independent truck drivers looking for quality loads because they usually 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.
2. Dispatch Services for Owner Operators and Fleet Owners
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 can also provide some administrative services like accounting, billing, and collections. In other cases, trucking dispatchers solve more than how to get loads to truckers by providing the back office services that help to ensure shippers pay invoices on time.
3. Best Load Boards for Owner Operators
Load boards are another method that connects shippers directly to truckers. These boards make it very convenient to find freight loads by having multiple listings to choose from and most of the shipment details are spelled out. A quick Google search will uncover online load boards with free or paid options to choose from. The trick is finding good load boards that meet your needs so you’re not wasting time. 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. Make sure you receive notifications from the load board for load searches. You don’t want to miss any load posts.
4. Registering as a Government Contractor
Adapting a successful strategy for how to get trucking contracts would be a big win. More frequently, the government is outsourcing its staffing needs, and transportation is no exception. What’s more, it 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. Being 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.
5. How to Get Freight Contracts for Owner Operators
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.
6. Networking
Networking is the bread and butter of most small businesses, including freight companies. Start by getting involved with industry associations and going to events that your shippers are attending. The internet is a great place to do some sleuthing on what is going on in your industry. Find out what associations there are. You want to find one that focuses on the type of freight you’re interested in. Can you join them? Some 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. There are no clients there — mostly just competitors. However, there are 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. Many of these associations can also provide you with industry tips on how to save money for your trucking business. Some even provide members with a membership list that can be used to build a prospect list.
7. Broker Your Own Loads
After doing all of the above are you still having a hard time solving how to find loads to haul? It might be time to think about becoming a freight broker to broker your own loads. This is probably the most complex way to find loads for trucking and the lead time is substantial. You will need to train to be a broker, either with an established broker or by taking some classes. The payoff of being your own broker could be huge but it might not be a gamble you’re comfortable with.
*Bonus* 8. Follow a Truckers’ Hub
A Truckers’ Hub provides all the resources and information you need to develop your trucking business in one spot.
Like most marketing strategies, it is best to try a few different ones to see what works best for you. If you know your competitors are using one method to approach the problem of how to get loads for trucks, try standing out and being different. Discovering the best load board for trucking and dealing with freight brokers 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 use these strategies.
Conclusion
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