Ways to Find the Loads that are Right for You and Your Trucking Business

Anyone can go to a load board and find a load, but how do you find the loads that are right for you and your trucking business? And what actions can you take so that you aren’t always worried about finding the next load?

Decide who you want to work with.

Before you do anything, figure out who you want to be in business with. Figuring out what kind of customers you want to focus on will help you find them. It also means you can better narrow in on your business goals.

Use a good load board.

A good load board is the best tool you can have at your disposal. Use one that provides enough flexibility to support your unique business needs. Make sure it has plenty of volume so you have the freedom to work with who you want, when you want, with the ability to move what you want. (Truckstop.com’s Load Board has hundreds of thousands of loads to choose from!) It should offer the features you need to make the right decisions for your business. Look for options like sorting by rate, origin, and broker rating which will help you find the loads that work best for you. The best load boards will offer tons of features like the ability to create multiple stops so you can plan ahead or the ability to book loads instantly (no negotiations required), as well as heat maps so you know where the best-paying loads are.

Focus on broker relationships.

It might be hard to hear it, but focusing on having good relationships with brokers can help your wallet later down the road. If it’s a lane you like to run because it gets you close to home or pays well, make sure the broker knows that, then provide the best service you can so they want to go to you in the future. If you’re reliable, provide excellent customer service, and they know you’re interested, they will call you directly instead of posting a load to the board, and that saves both of you time and resources. Brokers also have the ability to add you to their preferred carrier list on Truckstop.com, offering you access to exclusive Book It Now loads that save you time and get you paid quickly.

Search for more than one type of trailer.

Including more than one trailer type will produce better search results. If you focus too closely on one kind of trailer, you may miss loads that can go on various types of trailers. If you have a reefer, you can also run it as a dry van. If you’re only looking for full truckloads, you’re missing less-than-load (LTL) options. This obviously doesn’t work for everything (you can’t haul ice cream on a flatbed), but consider giving it a try when you’re in a pinch. You rely on your instincts every day, so go into situations knowing there is always a way to make it work for you.

How to Choose the Right Crane and Reduce Risk When Buying a Used One

With advancements in technology, lifting cranes have become a lot more common. Almost all construction and demolition projects, as well as transport or shipping of heavy materials, require powerful lifting cranes. However, the success of your project depends on choosing the right one. Doing so will also prevent potential accidents and damages, saving your time, money, and improving your reputation as a safe workplace.

Check the Load Weight to Be Lifted.

One of the first things you need to consider is the weight of the load to be lifted or moved using the crane. Naturally, you need a crane with a suitable lifting capacity to move the load. If you use a high-capacity crane for a small load, you will most likely end up wasting time, labor, and money. On the other hand, a low-capacity crane can lead to fatal accidents and cause damage to the load

Know the Lift Height.

The height of the lifting load is as critical as the load capacity of the crane. The length of the crane’s boom will depend on how high the loading material needs to go. If the construction is vertical, you will need a lift with a longer boom length.

Find the Moving Distance (Horizontal).

Just like the vertical distance, the crane also will need to travel some horizontal distance to pick up the load. If you need the crane to transport the equipment from one spot to the other, you will need to get a mobile crane with wheels. If there is a fixed path of movement, you can use a crane with rails.

Evaluate the On-Site Terrain.

All types of cranes require a support structure to hold them firmly to the ground. It is the most crucial element that stabilizes the crane and the load. So you will need to choose a suitable crane depending on the terrain.

How to Pack & Load a Moving Truck

Not sure how to pack a moving truck? From the positioning of furniture to the use of moving supplies, there are multiple ways to maximize your storage space in the back of the truck rental. Utilizing this space effectively and efficiently is sure to save you from making multiple trips back and forth between homes. In addition to maximizing space, those planning a DIY move without the help of moving labor professionals must know how to distribute the weight evenly in the back of the truck and how to incorporate certain tools to prevent damage to belongings. For a step-by-step guide to packing and loading a moving truck like a pro, read our tips below. Good luck and happy moving!

Figure out what size truck rental you need

At least one month before the move, go ahead and reserve a truck rental for your moving date. From smaller cargo vans to larger 26 ft. trucks, most truck rental companies offer a plethora of shapes and sizes to choose from. Whatever you do though, try to avoid choosing a truck that is too small for your belongings. While a smaller truck may be cheaper to rent, it will only end up costing you extra time and money in the long run. For instance, if a truck is too small to hold your belongings, you’ll be forced to make multiple trips back and forth. To ensure that you choose the right size truck rental for your next move, read the truck rental company’s size guidelines carefully. When in doubt, call a truck rental representative for details on sizing

Gather packing supplies

Prior to packing a moving truck, be sure to gather all necessary packing supplies. This includes sturdy boxes, plastic wrap, packing tape, a dolly, furniture pads and moving blankets. Since your belongings may shift while in transit, it’s especially important that all items are packed with proper protection. This may mean adding moving blankets and padding to fill in the gaps between your boxes and belongings. Other important packing supplies to have on-hand include a mattress bag to cover your mattress and moving straps for holding items in place.

Recruit friends to help

Planning to pack and load a moving truck by yourself? Our advice: don’t! Before moving, ask friends and family for help with the loading and unloading process. It’s never a good idea to lift and carry heavy furniture, boxes and other items by yourself. Not only could you potentially injure yourself, but you could also end up with a move that takes forever. Having friends and family to help will dramatically speed up the moving process. This could ultimately save you money as well, since your truck rental time will be considerably shorter.

Disassemble furniture

Furniture items take up quite a bit of space on a truck. To save room, make sure to disassemble and take apart all furniture items. This should help maximize your space in the truck, as well as distribute the weight of heavy furniture more evenly. To start, you can disassemble dining tables by taking off the legs. This will allow you to store the dining table and its legs in an upright position on the truck. Next, disassemble all bed frames and headboards, as well as desks and dressers. If you’re unable to disassemble large furniture, try storing moving boxes and other items inside drawers or on top of the furniture to avoid crushing smaller objects.

Choosing the Right Forklift for Your Business

Choosing the right forklift is important for your business. It affects everything from operation costs, productivity, employee morale and stock management

Environment

Your business environment will influence the type of forklift, tyre selection and fuel type

Load Size / Capacity

It would be a big mistake to choose a forklift with a maximum lift capacity that is below your requirements

The type of load also matters as there are specific forklift attachments that can enhance a standard forklift and help you move the load more efficiently. There are many types of attachments available: appliance clamps, carton clamps, paper roll clamps, etc

Height

Similar to maximum load, you want to ensure you choose a forklift which will meet your height restrictions

MAXIMIZE CONTAINER SPACE. MINIMIZE DAMAGE TO YOUR STUFF

As you’re packing, take a few extra minutes to write an inventory of your items. If you have more than one container or are using a PODS container in combination with a rental truck, be sure to document what goes where.

Pack your valuables and essentials separately and plan on keeping these items with you.

Perishable items are not permitted in PODS containers. Consult your Rental Agreement for a full list of prohibited items.

Put heavy items in smaller boxes for easier lifting. Lightweight items can go in larger boxes.

Pack as much as you can into boxes. This will provide greater protection for your belongings and will make loading your PODS container easier.