Looking for a fast, efficient, and reliable way to schedule freight for your box trucks? Interested in using load boards for box trucks but not sure which solution is right for you? Want to know if you can use load boards for box trucks for free?
Today, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about load boards for box trucks, including how they work, the benefits they provide, and so much more! From there, we’ll reveal the top box truck load board options so that you can choose the optimal solution for your company.
And when you finish, be sure to read these other articles in our ‘How to find loads for box trucks’ article series:
- What is a straight truck?
- Load boards for box trucks
- Where can I find loads for box trucks?
- How to find box truck freight brokers
Quicklook: Best load boards for box trucks
- Best for mix of features and value: Truckstop
- Best for setting your own rate: uShip
- Best for affordability: Direct Freight – Find Loads
- Best for free load searches: Trucker Path – Find Loads
- Best for those seeking an easy-to-learn platform: 123Loadboard – Find Loads
What are box truck load boards?
Simply put, a load board is a virtual freight marketplace. Brokers and shippers alike often use load boards for the purpose of advertising available work opportunities.
These platforms serve as an essential tool for logistics and transportation businesses, allowing operators to find and book loads efficiently. They function by aggregating various freight opportunities in one place, making it easier for box truck company owner operators to browse through diverse load options that match their vehicle’s capacity and the preferred routes they operate on.
How do load boards work?
Typically, carriers will need to purchase a subscription to view the loads that are posted by shippers and brokers. However, there are some free load boards for box trucks out there, though we’ll touch on this in greater detail later on in this article.
Shippers can contact brokers as well as fellow shippers when they find box trucks loads that they want to haul. They can make pickup arrangements, request additional information, and negotiate the shipping prices. The best load boards facilitate communication and provide carriers with important information about each shipper’s reputation.
It is important to know how to find loads for box trucks in particular. Otherwise, you may waste countless hours viewing broker freight loads that are not a good fit for your vehicle’s capabilities after all. Check out this article for tips on selecting profitable loads.
How can you benefit from load boards?
A load board for box trucks offers many benefits. By using one, CDL drivers can accomplish a number of tasks and benefit in the following ways:
- Acquire loads faster
- Minimize downtime between loads
- Find high-paying contracts
- Forge new relationships with brokers and shippers
- Get your name out there
- Grow your business
The perks above are just a few advantages of using a load board for box trucks. It is important to note that load boards are particularly helpful for new or smaller-sized carriers. These boards allow said carriers to compete against larger companies for contracts, even if they have far fewer resources.
Are there load boards for box trucks only?
Many different types of load boards are designed specifically to help you find loads for box trucks. These load boards often only include shipments that can be hauled using box trucks. In most cases, brokers and carriers will use box trucks to facilitate the expedient delivery of high-priority goods.
If your organization has other types of freight vehicles in its fleet, you may need to use multiple load boards. You can use one load board to book shipments for your box trucks and a separate board to arrange jobs for your standard semi-trucks.
Without further ado, here are the best box truck load boards, followed by considerations in your load board decision and tips for negotiating better rates.
5 best box truck load board options
Truckstop
Truckstop’s load board offers a great array of features at a competitive price. While their basic plan costs about $4 more per month than Direct Freight, the interface is far more robust. The site’s advanced plan costs $125 and it gives truckers access to both broker credit and days-to-pay data. Their top-tier plan is $149 and it is jam-packed with useful tools.
Best for: Mix of features and value
Features:
- Broker credit data
- Days to pay information
- Rate insights
Pricing:
- Lowest price: $39
- Highest price: $149
uShip
uShip has a pricing structure that allows you to pay as you go and the option to set your own rate is ideal for many. Get notified in real time when new loads are available so you can be on the road when you want to be. Their user friendly mobile app helps you streamline operations and spend less time dealing with hassles.
Best for: Setting your own rate
Features:
- Filter available loads by type of shipment, locations, and dates
- Save filters and get notified when a new load is available
- Along Your Route search tool (make your own lane, avoid deadhead trips and backhauls)
- Set your own rates
- Thousands of available loads daily
- Find shipments based on your equipment
- Streamlined uShip mobile app available
Disadvantages:
- Customer service is lacking
- Pricing isn’t always optimal
Pricing:
- Free until transportation is secured
Direct Freight
Direct Freight is an incredibly user-friendly platform that makes it easy to find box truck loads. It is great for tech-savvy professional drivers and less tech-fluent drivers as well. The site’s free load board is one of the best no-cost options out there. It also offers a premium version for less than $40 per month.
Best for: Affordability
Features:
- Custom search parameters
- New load alerts
- Average days-to-pay listed for each broker
Pricing:
- $34.95
Trucker Path
There are several different free load boards for box trucks out there. However, Trucker Path stands out because it includes a mobile app for both Android and Apple devices. The app can send alerts about new loads, allow you to communicate with brokers, and make life easier away from your desktop.
Best for: Free load searches
Features:
- Mobile app
- Dispatch services
- Navigation tools
Pricing: Free
123Loadboard
The team at 123Loadboard has been operating a marketplace for independent shippers since 2004. They have partnered with more than 30 different companies in the logistics business to develop deeper analytic intelligence and optimize services for their membership.
Best for: Those seeking an easy-to-learn platform
Features:
- Mileage tracking
- Real-time load alerts
- Rate check tools
Pricing:
- Three options:
- $35
- $45
- $55
Things to consider with load boards for box trucks
When searching for the best load board for box trucks, you should consider all of the following factors:
Contract length
Virtually every load board provider uses a tiered subscription model. Cheaper plans only include basic features, whereas more costly subscriptions provide robust tools.
Most load board providers offer month-to-month contracts. However, some providers will offer substantial discounts if you pay for an entire year of access to their load board. If you find a great provider, you may want to consider opting for a year-long subscription, as it can help you save some cash.
Daily loads
Before signing up for a load board subscription, it is important to know how many loads the platform typically features on an average day. Ideally, you’ll want a board with a big number of daily loads, meaning you will have plenty of jobs to choose from throughout the week.
Costs
Generally, load boards for box trucks only charge a flat monthly subscription fee. However, you should also be wary of cancellation charges or hidden fees. Carefully read each load board provider’s terms and conditions before signing up.
Trustworthiness of brokers and shippers
The best box truck load board will provide detailed information about shippers and brokers. Top options include shipper and broker reviews, credit scores, and other data that will help you vet prospective clients before accepting jobs.
Additional features
Some load boards, such as a few options included on our list of top load boards for box truck freight, offer features like these:
- Spot market rates
- Real-time load searches
- IFTA fuel tax calculators
- Mileage and map tools
These features and tools can help you operate more efficiently and maximize profitability when accepting loads.
Tips for negotiating better rates
Negotiating better rates is a critical skill for box truck operators looking to maximize profits. Here are a handful of tactics that will help.
- An understanding of market rates is essential. Staying informed about the going rates for different types of loads in various regions enables you to negotiate from a position of knowledge.
- Building strong relationships with regular shippers can also lead to more favorable rates. Trust and reliability are highly valued in the logistics industry.
- Demonstrating flexibility with scheduling and routes can sometimes result in higher compensation, because it helps shippers meet tight deadlines or accommodate unexpected changes.
- Showcasing a strong track record of on-time deliveries and excellent service can provide leverage when discussing rates. Customers will often pay a premium for dependable service.
- Don’t shy away from proposing bundled service deals that may be advantageous to both parties in the long run.
Choose the best box truck load board for your trucking needs
As you can see, there are plenty of options for a box trucks load board. That said, there may not be a single option that works the best for everyone.
You should carefully weigh the pros and cons of different load boards in order to ensure that you are selecting the option that best aligns with your trucking needs. More specifically, you should focus on factors like pricing, contract lengths, and the number of features that a platform offers.
FAQ
A standard 26-foot box truck typically has a payload capacity of 10,000 to 12,000 pounds (4,536 to 5,443 kg). However, the exact weight capacity can vary depending on the specific truck model, manufacturer, and any additional features or modifications.
On load boards, box trucks are often referred to as straight trucks or box vans. These terms distinguish them from semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, highlighting their single-unit construction with the cargo box directly attached to the chassis.
Network with local businesses and join load boards that specialize in local freight. Also, consider partnering with last-mile delivery services or e-commerce platforms that often need box trucks for local deliveries.
Online load boards like Truckstop.com, and uShip often have listings for box truck loads. Freight brokers specializing in LTL (less than truckload) or local deliveries can also be excellent sources for consistent box truck work. You may also find free load boards for box trucks if you’re just starting out and don’t need advanced features or tools.
Typical box truck freight loads include furniture, appliances, and palletized goods for retail or commercial deliveries. Box trucks are also commonly used for moving household items, transporting trade show materials, and delivering medical supplies or equipment to healthcare facilities.