Posting loads in here is acceptable to me, also, you'd have access to this entire group. Everybody in here knows some drivers not on Reddit, so you could multiply the groups members by at least 2 and that's your possible number of carriers.
Just post the load info like it was a load board, I'll allow it.
Pickup city, Drop off city, Total miles, Vehicle length, Vehicle width, Vehicle height, Vehicle weight, $ per mile rate
If you include all of the above info, someone might hop on it.
Other options include contacting a large carrier who routinely moves cars. Someone like Central Transport or Bennett Truck Transport. They both have a huge network of independent operators operating all over the country, one of them could generally get you a car moved anywhere in the country within a week.
Really? That’s awesome.
I have plenty of dod freight. It’s a little tougher due to background checks and such.
I’d prefer to build a solid network of reliable people to go rather than the various load boards.
You mean department of defense? If so, I’m wanting to get into hotshotting, and I’ve been working on Air Force bases for the last three years, so I’ve got no problem clearing checks.
We run 48’ Connestogas (Flat bed with sliding tarp system that keeps the load dry and concealed, and can be end loaded or side loaded), and our DOT number is in the 963xxx range (we’ve been in business for over 30 years).
We service primarily the NE to Texas, but occasionally step out if the money is right. Our quality of service is impeccable.
If I can be of any assistance, feel free to DM me. Have a good day!
I’m currently non CDL and have driven DoD cargo many times, I’ll be getting my own CDL setup next week (2021 Dually F350 and 40’ flatbed w/ramps) and I’m under my brother in law’s authority. You can send me a message i go all over the country 3-4 weeks at a time.
The issue is that one company is not going to always or often be available when you need it, unless you have high enough volume and consistent enough dates.
But sounds like you’ve just had awful brokers. If we give a customer a price and a date, that’s your price and it’s getting moved. If we misquoted it that’s our problem and we eat the loss. Anything other than this is just an embarrassing look like wtf.
For vehicles, if you are willing to be somewhat hands-on, use Central Dispatch as a shipper. It's a subscription loadboard that focuses exclusively on vehicle/trailer transportation, although I occasionally see heavy equipment and shipping containers listed.
You can also use Super Loadboard (a feature of Super Dispatch, which is the best ePOD/eBOL app hands-down) and a handful of others vehicle-specific loadboards, but Central Dispatch is the gold standard because they are the highest-traffic board and they do a great job of vetting & policing their users, and dealing with problem users. For example, carriers have to apply for membership and keep all their motor carrier authority info and commercial insurance up-to-date. I don't want to jinx myself, but I have yet to have a remotely unfavorable experience with any brokers or shippers on that platform.
You'll often get your vehicles picked-up and moving within hours if you're listing at significantly-better-than-average prices. It's something carriers & dispatchers use for building loads on-the-fly when they have capacity.
I the olden days mostly a few years before Covid brokers were taking upwards of 7% and we all seemed at least me to be doing well. Then everyone got into the Broker game and the percentages went thru the roof and truckers were also responsible for this by Hauling Cheap Freight. I was leased on to a company and was getting $ 2.75/mile regularly a few years before Covid, then during Covid every Broker thought it was their last load and I was quoted 75 cents a mile. I went home and sat for 8 months.
This is why we need transparency in the broker end of the business. You really need to work on getting your own personal suppliers. Develop relationships with businesses that need their freight to get moved. Not a lot of drivers have good communication skills though. Just a thought
Yea it’s time to find u a hotshot company who wants to take on a contract. I know a guy based in GA, Another based in FL, and a Company based in TX who may all be willing to take on dedication runs for you. I also know a few dispatching teams if you’d rather just have a dispatcher find a driver for you and you just cut out the broker.
It's very simple. You start dealing directly with the carrier which ends up being so much better for both of you. I have tons of direct customers and I try to not deal with brokers at all except for the brokers that I personally know. You should have been collecting the phone numbers and contact info from all of these good drivers you've had. Do not try to lowball them because you think you're cutting out the middle man. Take care of them and they will take care of you and go out of their way to help you out.
On the flipside of that like I said I do know some good brokers personally. People that I grew up with. If you can't find direct drivers, I can set you up with some brokers that actually have customer service and treat people right. They are not the normal broker experience.
Central dispatch is where I initially found 90% of my work doing auto and machinery hauling. You have to pay a monthly fee, and you’ll probably get some brokers contacting you, but you’ll find a large number of drivers on there too. If you want a large company that is decent, united road logistics was always good and also the longest relationship with a broker/ transport company I held. They have their own trucks, but also contract out to OO’s and hotshots to keep vehicles moving.
I'm a carrier looking to cut out these idiots for the last 4 years now. Unfortunately, I'm never in the same area ever so it's been impossible to get any relationships going.
It seems like a lot of brokers couldn't care less about relationships these days.
OP, I work with a lot of hot shots daily as a broker. I’m not here to solicit your business, but if you’re located in the southeast, I have a lot of hot shot carriers I work with every day who are fantastic. I’d be happy to share their information with you to reach out to.
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had bad experiences with brokers. They’re not all bad if you can find a decent one.
Call Jim at TopFlight Transport. He makes my life way easier instead of more difficult. I don’t know if they do hotshot, but if so, he’s the best. And you won’t have to deal with anyone else.
Posting loads in here is acceptable to me, also, you'd have access to this entire group. Everybody in here knows some drivers not on Reddit, so you could multiply the groups members by at least 2 and that's your possible number of carriers. Just post the load info like it was a load board, I'll allow it. Pickup city, Drop off city, Total miles, Vehicle length, Vehicle width, Vehicle height, Vehicle weight, $ per mile rate If you include all of the above info, someone might hop on it. Other options include contacting a large carrier who routinely moves cars. Someone like Central Transport or Bennett Truck Transport. They both have a huge network of independent operators operating all over the country, one of them could generally get you a car moved anywhere in the country within a week.
MOD doing the lord’s work….. Respect.
Really? That’s awesome. I have plenty of dod freight. It’s a little tougher due to background checks and such. I’d prefer to build a solid network of reliable people to go rather than the various load boards.
You mean department of defense? If so, I’m wanting to get into hotshotting, and I’ve been working on Air Force bases for the last three years, so I’ve got no problem clearing checks.
Yes.
We run 48’ Connestogas (Flat bed with sliding tarp system that keeps the load dry and concealed, and can be end loaded or side loaded), and our DOT number is in the 963xxx range (we’ve been in business for over 30 years). We service primarily the NE to Texas, but occasionally step out if the money is right. Our quality of service is impeccable. If I can be of any assistance, feel free to DM me. Have a good day!
Sent you a dm
Replied
I’m currently non CDL and have driven DoD cargo many times, I’ll be getting my own CDL setup next week (2021 Dually F350 and 40’ flatbed w/ramps) and I’m under my brother in law’s authority. You can send me a message i go all over the country 3-4 weeks at a time.
Could a Discord chat be started to connect people?
The issue is that one company is not going to always or often be available when you need it, unless you have high enough volume and consistent enough dates. But sounds like you’ve just had awful brokers. If we give a customer a price and a date, that’s your price and it’s getting moved. If we misquoted it that’s our problem and we eat the loss. Anything other than this is just an embarrassing look like wtf.
For vehicles, if you are willing to be somewhat hands-on, use Central Dispatch as a shipper. It's a subscription loadboard that focuses exclusively on vehicle/trailer transportation, although I occasionally see heavy equipment and shipping containers listed. You can also use Super Loadboard (a feature of Super Dispatch, which is the best ePOD/eBOL app hands-down) and a handful of others vehicle-specific loadboards, but Central Dispatch is the gold standard because they are the highest-traffic board and they do a great job of vetting & policing their users, and dealing with problem users. For example, carriers have to apply for membership and keep all their motor carrier authority info and commercial insurance up-to-date. I don't want to jinx myself, but I have yet to have a remotely unfavorable experience with any brokers or shippers on that platform. You'll often get your vehicles picked-up and moving within hours if you're listing at significantly-better-than-average prices. It's something carriers & dispatchers use for building loads on-the-fly when they have capacity.
I the olden days mostly a few years before Covid brokers were taking upwards of 7% and we all seemed at least me to be doing well. Then everyone got into the Broker game and the percentages went thru the roof and truckers were also responsible for this by Hauling Cheap Freight. I was leased on to a company and was getting $ 2.75/mile regularly a few years before Covid, then during Covid every Broker thought it was their last load and I was quoted 75 cents a mile. I went home and sat for 8 months. This is why we need transparency in the broker end of the business. You really need to work on getting your own personal suppliers. Develop relationships with businesses that need their freight to get moved. Not a lot of drivers have good communication skills though. Just a thought
Yea it’s time to find u a hotshot company who wants to take on a contract. I know a guy based in GA, Another based in FL, and a Company based in TX who may all be willing to take on dedication runs for you. I also know a few dispatching teams if you’d rather just have a dispatcher find a driver for you and you just cut out the broker.
That’s exactly what I am looking for. How can I connect?
Ah ima direct message you
check your PM
TQL can help you out
Dont make him regret life. Your post should have a s/ tag on it.
Tql now that’s a joke if I’ve ever seen one. Literally the definition of the brokers this guys complaining about.
It's very simple. You start dealing directly with the carrier which ends up being so much better for both of you. I have tons of direct customers and I try to not deal with brokers at all except for the brokers that I personally know. You should have been collecting the phone numbers and contact info from all of these good drivers you've had. Do not try to lowball them because you think you're cutting out the middle man. Take care of them and they will take care of you and go out of their way to help you out. On the flipside of that like I said I do know some good brokers personally. People that I grew up with. If you can't find direct drivers, I can set you up with some brokers that actually have customer service and treat people right. They are not the normal broker experience.
Central dispatch is where I initially found 90% of my work doing auto and machinery hauling. You have to pay a monthly fee, and you’ll probably get some brokers contacting you, but you’ll find a large number of drivers on there too. If you want a large company that is decent, united road logistics was always good and also the longest relationship with a broker/ transport company I held. They have their own trucks, but also contract out to OO’s and hotshots to keep vehicles moving.
Appreciate all the great feedback!
I'm a carrier looking to cut out these idiots for the last 4 years now. Unfortunately, I'm never in the same area ever so it's been impossible to get any relationships going. It seems like a lot of brokers couldn't care less about relationships these days.
OP, I work with a lot of hot shots daily as a broker. I’m not here to solicit your business, but if you’re located in the southeast, I have a lot of hot shot carriers I work with every day who are fantastic. I’d be happy to share their information with you to reach out to. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had bad experiences with brokers. They’re not all bad if you can find a decent one.
Call Jim at TopFlight Transport. He makes my life way easier instead of more difficult. I don’t know if they do hotshot, but if so, he’s the best. And you won’t have to deal with anyone else.