The economic and business need to move goods and other cargo across the country must be supported by efficient, secure and timely platforms in the shipping and logistics industry. Various aspects, components and factors determine the reliability of a shipping company, such as the cargo board used.
Trucking is a core component of the U.S. economy, so it’s vital to ensure that services remain excellent and flexible to meet all needs.
What is a truck loading panel?
Truckers are constantly looking for cargo to ship to stay in business. For example, the overweight and oversized cargo industry has established unique ways to keep their trucks and trailers running by combining various methods, such as using the load board to find cargo to haul.
A cargo board is an online hub or marketplace where shippers, carriers and freight brokers can connect, post and search for loads to transport. Users, primarily shippers and carriers, also post available transportation equipment, routes, truck types, and other vital shipping services.
But how do you use a cargo panel on trucks?
How are load boards used?
Cargo boards are mainly used to connect shippers, carriers and freight brokers. They facilitate freight shipment planning by matching available cargo with adequate transportation capacity. Load boards are usually hosted online, and with today’s technology, there are hundreds of paid and free options available.
Carriers, shippers and brokers use freight boards to set up their profiles after registering an account by providing vital information such as company name, contact, insurance and preferred payment methods to help other users to access it easily.
Once you’re registered on a freight board as a carrier, you can use the platform to filter your freight searches and choose what your company can handle safely and efficiently. This makes the upload board a reliable time-saving tool.
Freight brokers and shippers can also use a freight dashboard to contact you directly or easily track your service updates. Shippers and carriers can communicate about specific cargo needs or requirements on this digital cargo board and negotiate freight rates.
The Freight Board is also used by established truckers and heavy haulage companies to check customer reviews and credit scores, including carriers and brokers.
The top load tables in 2024
Shippers and carriers can quickly obtain detailed information about the cargo list, shipment origin and destination, cargo type, cargo dimensions, weight, special handling needs, pickup schedule, and delivery, payment terms and other conditions on the loading boards.
Although getting all this data is possible through this digital marketplace, choosing a reliable charging board is vital. Experts say that using multiple loading docks makes your operations difficult, especially with the rise of these platforms.
Too many dashboards in your operations can lead to confusion and wasted time due to overwhelming information.
To avoid these situations, here are 5 top-loading boards to consider in 2024:
1. DAT One Load Board
It is considered the largest truckload shipping market in the United States. The DAT One upload panel has several search options that help you refine your upload search. It also displays pricing details and allows truckers to negotiate fair prices with customers.
On average, it has more than 800,000 listings per day. It’s an excellent and reliable digital marketplace for businesses of all sizes but at a price.
2. 123 Loading board
123 Loadboard is another reputable online marketplace for shippers and carriers. This charging dashboard has useful features such as charging alerts, mileage, maps, credit scores and days to pay. While it has hundreds of Box/LTL truckloads, it also offers reefer, van, hotshot and flatbed options. Upload Board 123 has over 150,000 uploads available daily.
3. Truckstop.com
Truckstop.com is considered to be the first online freight-combination marketplace. Founded in 1955, this company has been committed to providing reliable solutions to the shipping and logistics industry. In general, the basic monthly subscription starts at $39 for carriers and $99 for carriers and freight brokers.
It has several features, and to unlock them all you need a Pro version at $149 per month, including a real-time upload dashboard.
4. Way of the truck drivers
This is a free platform with over 800 brokers and 150,000 daily uploads. It provides a mobile navigation and maps application for truck drivers. It also allows you to check your favorite broker’s credit score and find the nearest truck stop, parking, fuel stops, weigh stations, trip planning and safe routes.
It has a fuel program and a fleet management application called Trucker Path Command.
5. Direct goods services
This runner- and trucker-friendly cargo dashboard offers easy location-based search features for trucks and cargo. Direct Freight Services has more than 300,000 loads available daily, including various freight types: flatbed, lowboy, hopper bottom, tank truck, curtain van, box truck, hotshot and more.
Overall, load boards are vital tools in the shipping and logistics industry that help streamline and ease the burden on shippers, carriers and freight brokers looking to connect with the right services and customers. It provides a centralized digital marketplace that matches the right parts, facilitating efficient and timely operations and communications in the transportation process.
