When it comes to moving loose bulk commodities like grain or gravel, Hopper Bottom trucking companies are the go-to solution. We evaluated Hopper Bottom providers in Michigan for price, safety, and customer service, among other factors, and Michaud Trucking, Inc.Orperated earned the top spot due to their reliability and quality service.
Check out our other picks for the best Hopper Bottom trucking companies in Michigan to see which one is the right fit for you.
Top Hopper Bottom Trucking Companies in Michigan
Why Trust FreightWaves Ratings?
There’s a reason we’re one of the world’s leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.
We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best trucking companies in Michigan. Every Michigan trucking firm is closely scrutinized based on its service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies’ safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real users have to say about their experience.
From there, we narrow our focus to select only those top-performing and highest-rated firms to give you an informed and up-to-date list of the best trucking companiesin Michigan for your commercial shipping needs.
Michaud Trucking, Inc.Orperated
816 S Van Buren Street, Kingsford, MI, 49802- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
- Water well
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Auto carrier
- Conestoga
- Container
- Step deck
- Hopper bottom
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Pneumatic
- Power only
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Hot shot
- B-train semi
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Michaud Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 169140) is a reputable freight trucking company based in Michigan. With a satisfactory safety rating and active USDOT status, they specialize in a range of services like dry van, refrigerated, and hazardous materials transport. Their versatile fleet includes tankers, flatbeds, drop trailers, box trucks, and more, allowing them to handle a variety of cargo, from building materials and machinery to paper products and refrigerated foods.
Specialized support for commercial shipments includes cross-docking, consolidation, guaranteed home time, and managed transportation services. Michaud Trucking also offers health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as disability insurance, employee stock ownership, gym memberships, and ongoing training development programs for their drivers, ensuring a well-rounded support system for their staff and clients.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 2.96
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.35
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.88
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 18
- Revenue: $4,060
- Miles driven: 1,879,660
Smith Trucking, Inc.
7150 Silberhorn Hwy, Blissfield, MI, 49228- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Auto carrier
- Hopper bottom
- Lowboy
- Power only
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
Smith Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 602541) is a reputable freight trucking company established in 2015, located in Michigan. They manage a fleet of 55 trucks with specialized services such as regional and dedicated routes, flatbed, reefer, and dry van trucking. Their cargo includes a broad spectrum of products like agricultural supplies, building materials, dry bulk commodities, motor vehicles, and machinery.
Smith Trucking, Inc. stands out for their support in commercial shipments, offering services like expedited and cross-border shipping, guaranteeing home time for drivers, and supporting hazmat transportation. They excel in employee benefits, providing health, dental, and vision insurance, tuition reimbursement, ongoing training, and a 401(k) retirement plan. This focus on comprehensive services and employee satisfaction highlights their commitment to reliability and quality in the trucking industry.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 2.07
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.85
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 24
- Revenue: $111
- Miles driven: 1,612,701
PRO Vision Transport, Inc.
6205 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck, MI, 49453- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3.5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- General
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Container
- Hopper bottom
- Power only
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
PRO Vision Transport, Inc. (DOT: 444127) offers a diverse range of trucking services with a dedicated commitment to commercial shipping needs. Operating a fleet of 60 trucks and 120 trailers, this Michigan-based company handles an extensive variety of cargo, including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, fresh produce, metal sheets and coils, refrigerated foods, and paper products. They offer specialized services such as the transportation of hazardous materials and have refrigerated (reefer) capabilities, ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of temperature-sensitive goods.
Commercial clients benefit from PRO Vision Transport’s robust support services, including drop trailer capabilities, cross-border shipments, and direct deposit options for transactions. The company provides flexible scheduling, guaranteed home time, and offers incentives such as sign-on and safety bonuses. Their drivers’ welfare is prioritized with health insurance, paid time off, dental insurance, vision coverage, and ongoing training and development programs. With a satisfactory safety rating, PRO Vision Transport ensures reliable and secure transportation solutions for businesses.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 2.86
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.47
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.37
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 68
- Revenue: $7,512
- Miles driven: 7,210,700
Go-To Transport, Inc.
1320 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI, 48708- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Produce
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Auto carrier
- Conestoga
- Hopper bottom
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
Go-To Transport, Inc. (DOT: 1197728) has been a trusted name in trucking since 2003, operating out of Michigan. Specializing in a variety of cargo including beverages, building materials, chemicals, fresh produce, and general freight, they cater to a diverse range of shipping needs. Their fleet comprises 153 trucks and 756 trailers, which include specialized equipment like Conestoga and hopper bottom trailers, ensuring they can handle both standard and complex shipping requirements.
In addition to basic shipping services, Go-To Transport offers specialized support for commercial shipments, such as reefer, dry van, and intermodal container transport. They also provide roadside assistance programs and support owner-operators. With a considerable commitment to safety and compliance, evidenced by their satisfactory safety rating, Go-To Transport is a reliable choice for business owners looking to ship their products efficiently and securely.
Safety
- Crashes: 15
- Unsafe driving: 1.11
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.62
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 153
- Revenue: $38,104
- Miles driven: 12,300,000
How Safety Ratings Work in Michigan
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety & Accountability (CSA) program evaluates trucking companies using BASICS (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories)
Here’s a look at what each of the BASICS cover:
- Crashes: Trucking companies are required to report any accidents that result in injury or death. The FMSCA uses these state-reported crashes to determine any patterns of crash involvement and potential behaviors contributing to that pattern.
- Unsafe driving: This CSA category covers behaviors like texting and speeding that can lead to accidents
- Driver fitness: The FMCSA requires trucking companies to keep up-to-date records on their drivers. That includes identification and paperwork like CDLs, annual driving reviews, and any relevant medical certifications or documentation. Violations of this category will result in lower overall safety scores.
- Hours-of-service compliance: The FMCSA cites truckers and trucking companies that do not follow or enforce hours-of-service regulations that limit how much time a large commercial vehicle operator can be on the road without rest.
- Vehicle maintenance: Truckers are responsible for completing inspections before hitting the road on a route. They must also log any issues and have repairs to those identified problems completed before operating the truck.
- Controlled substances: As with all vehicle operators, truckers must be sober behind the wheel. This category accounts for violations issued to a trucking company’s driver(s) for being under the influence of or in possession of alcohol and street drugs or prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines that could impair judgement.
- Hazardous materials violations: Trucking companies and their drivers must exhibit proper loading and handling of hazardous materials, including labeling these items correctly, ensuring packaging meets regulations, and follows all restrictions and rules for the vehicle type.
Companies scoring a zero for any or all of the above categories did not receive any citations or other violations within a given month. Essentially, any trucking company that has multiple zeroes in these categories can likely be considered a safe freight shipper in compliance with all FMCSA standards and regulatory requirement.
Choosing the Right Michigan Hopper Bottom Trucking Company for Your Shipments
If your Michigan businesses transports bulk commodities like grain, gravel, or other loose materials, finding the right Hopper Bottom trucking company is key to efficient and secure shipping.
Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for a Hopper Bottom carrier:
- Trailer capacity and configuration: Make sure the carrier offers Hopper Bottom trailers with the right capacity and features for your products.
- Efficient unloading: Hopper Bottom trailers enable easy unloading, so look for Michigan carriers with well-maintained equipment to avoid delays.
- Environmental compliance: Choose a carrier in Michigan that is committed to environmentally responsible practices, particularly since Hopper Bottom cargo can produce dust or debris.
- Driver experience: Experienced drivers who understand the handling of bulk materials will help ensure your load is transported safely and in a timely manner.
- Geographic coverage: You’ll want a trucking company with expertise in your key shipping regions.
- Communication: Michigan trucking companies with reputations for quality customer support are more likely to keep you up-to-date on your shipments, particularly those that are time-sensitive. You’ll also want to choose a Hopper Bottom carrier that offers real-time shipment tracking.
- Transparent pricing: Look for a Hopper Bottom company with a straightforward pricing structure without hidden fees.
- Safety compliance: A strong safety record indicates a carrier’s commitment to maintaining high standards for both equipment and driver safety during transit.
FAQs: Michigan Hopper Bottom Trucking Companies
What are the benefits of using Hopper Bottom trailers for bulk transportation?
The benefits of Hopper Bottom trailers for transport of bulk items include convenient unloading. Hopper Bottom trailers are designed to use gravity for unloading. This reduces handling time and product damage.
How do Hopper Bottom trailers help Michigan save money on bulk transportation?
Hopper Bottom trailers help Michigan businesses in Michigan save money by reducing unloading costs. Hopper Bottom trailers use gravity-fed systems, which reduces manual labor and unloading time. Lower operational costs, in turn, lead to lower customer prices, especially for high-volume shipments in industries like agriculture and construction.
Are there weight limitations for Hopper Bottom trucking in Michigan?
Yes, there are weight limitations for Michigan Hopper Bottom trucking. Trailers must adhere to federal and state weight restrictions to ensure safe transportation. Check with their carrier to confirm load capacity and regulatory compliance.
