A load board can help shippers find transporters quickly and have them apply or bid for their loads. It also assists carriers to find loads that meet their criteria in terms of equipment, location and timing.
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The table below shows a quick price comparison of all the load board solutions that we’ve researched:
| Company name | Monthly cost | Free plan |
|---|---|---|
| 123 Loadboard | From $35/mo | Free trial for 10 days |
| Loadup | From free | Free for shippers and some carriers |
| FreightFinder.com | From free | Free to use |
| Online Freight Services | Not stated | No |
| FindFreightLoads | Not stated | Free for brokers and shippers, a free three day trial for carriers |
| Loadmatch | From free | Free plan and 30 day trial of the paid plan |
| Central Dispatch | Not stated | No |
| uShip | Free to join | Free to join, matching fee applies on loads |
| FR8Star | Not stated | No |
| Shiply | From free | Free to join with fee applied on loads |
| Circle Logistics | Not stated | No |
| Trucker Tools | Not stated | No |
| TQL | From free | Free to use |
*The prices in the table above (where available) come directly from each company’s website and were accurate at the time of writing. Since then, those prices may have changed.
We’ve listed the results of our load board research and the features of each company’s product in a bit more detail below. You’ll be able to see the benefits of their service and some general information about the company as well.
*companies are ranked in no particular order.
Topics
1. 123 Loadboard
123 Loadboard offers freight solutions for businesses in the US and parts of Canada which include a load board.
- Offers a freight matching service that is easy to use
- A range of plans are available for carriers and brokers
- You can arrange a demo of their software
- They offer a 10-day free trial for carriers
- Loads can be searched by location such as city, zip or GPS
- You can negotiate the rates for loads
- They provide a Rate Check tool to help compile rates
- They also offer routing and mileage services
- The load board is available on a mobile app so you can access it from anywhere
- They provide credit checking and compliance services as well
Website: https://www.123loadboard.com/
2. Loadup
Loadup offers two international load boards that cater for different geographical markets – one for the US and Canada and the other for all other countries.
- Offers a free load board for shippers
- Some carriers can also benefit from free access depending on their truck type
- Carriers need to become a member and may need to pay a membership fee
- They cater for 35 vehicle types including car haulers
- Their freight users include individuals, brokers and manufacturers
- You can search for loads that match your equipment type
- Load posts provide detailed information
- Alerts can be set up by email for suitable loads
- Members are given unrestricted access without bidding, auctions or commissions
- Membership includes a listing in their member directory
Website: http://www.usacanadaloadup.com/
3. FreightFinder.com
FreightFinder.com provides a load board that is integrated with the LoadBoardNetwork to offer freight solutions.
- Their load board is free to use
- An account isn’t needed to access the load board
- They cater for a range of loads that include car haulage
- Thousands of loads are available each day
- They cater for freight brokers, trucking companies and owner-operators
- It can be searched by origin, destination, radius from the location and equipment type
- Carriers can also post available trucks
- Additional information is available on mileage and routing
- Includes an industry directory
- Offers a refined search engine for the industry and a trucking job site as well
Website: https://www.freightfinder.com/
4. Online Freight Services
Online Freight Services offers a freight system that helps businesses manage their loads and shipments more effectively.
- Offers an easy to use load board
- Provides a network of over 50,000 carriers including car haulers
- Their load board is a self-service web portal
- They claim to offer competitive load rates
- They provide a broad range of customer types including vehicle shipments
- Search and book loads that match your needs
- They provide out-of-hours support
- Offers quick payment solutions
- Integrates with other software to provide further streamlining of processes and efficiencies
- Plans include TMSPro software that can issue invoices, handle collections and pay carriers
Website: https://onlinefreight.com/
5. FindFreightLoads.com
FindFreightLoads.com utilises artificial intelligence and machine learning to help carriers find shippers through the load board.
- Offers a load board that is free for shippers and brokers
- Carriers need to pay a monthly fee but no contract applies
- They offer carriers a three-day free trial
- Caters for a range of equipment types which include car haulers
- You can search for loads that meet your requirements
- Allows carriers to directly contact those posting the loads
- Carriers can look up credit reports
- Shippers can bulk upload their loads
- Offers factoring solutions
- Provides additional services such as mileage and routing, fuel discounts, weather and load conditions
Website: https://findfreightloads.com/
6. LoadMatch
LoadMatch assists sellers and carriers to connect through their load board so that they can exchange information on loads, equipment and trucks.
- Offers a load board that is free to use
- Also offers a monthly paid plan with additional features
- A free trial for 30 days is available on their paid plan
- The load board covers North America
- Caters for a variety of load types including car hauling
- Can be searched for suitable loads
- Set up notifications for new loads
- Carriers can post their available trucks
- Includes a listing in their Intermodal Directory
- They can help streamline your operations and processes
Website: https://loadmatch.com/
7. CentralDispatch
CentralDispatch provides a specialist vehicle shipper and carrier load board that is trying to transform the auto transport industry.
- Provides one of the few dedicated load boards for auto transporters
- Has a network of over 16,000 carriers
- Operates across North America
- They support dealers, auctions, manufacturers, transport brokers and other auto professionals
- Users need to apply for an account on their website
- They provide millions of posted loads
- Shippers can post their loads directly on the load board
- Posts are detailed and include origin, destination, date, equipment, company name and contact details
- Allows shippers to check carrier’s details and qualifications
- They can help carriers streamline their processes
Website: https://www.centraldispatch.com/
8. uShip
uShip offers a marketplace that brings together shippers and carriers on their load board to deliver goods.
- Offers a load board that is free to join
- A match fee is charged for each load and this can be factored into quotes
- Has a network of 41,000 service providers
- They transport a variety of loads including vehicles and boats
- You can sign up for the load board on their website
- Carriers will be vetted before they get access to the load board
- Carriers can search for suitable loads
- Shippers can post loads, compare quotes and select preferred quotes
- Feedback ratings are available on service providers
- Additional services include shipment tracking, shipping protection and secure payments
Website: https://www.uship.com/
9. FR8star
FR8star provides a trucking marketplace that assists shippers in finding qualified transportation companies to carry their goods.
- Their load board caters for both carriers and shippers
- They provide a variety of loads including car haulage
- Covers the US
- They offer three tiers of plans
- They can provide assistance with planning, booking and fulfilment
- Loads can be searched using location, load/unload method, shipment type, and special load requirements
- They enable shippers to create posts and receive bids
- Bids need to be made transparently with no hidden costs
- You can expand the load board by connecting to other platforms
- Also offers industry information and insights
Website: https://www.fr8star.com/
10. Shiply
Shiply is an international company that provides transportation and logistics services in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Brazil and Australia.
- They offer a load board that is free to access
- A fee is charged on top of the load quote at 10-15%
- You need to join the load board on their website
- They cater for the shipment of a wide range of goods including motorcycles, cars and boats
- Thousands of loads are posted every day
- They offer combined load options to help fill trucks
- The load board is easy to use and interactive
- Loads can be searched on location and route
- You can set up email alerts for loads that match your needs
- Rates can be competitive on combined loads
Website: https://www.shiply.com/us
11. Circle Logistics
Circle Logistics offers logistic solutions across the US, Canada and Mexico utilising their fleet and a network of carriers.
- Their load board caters for independent carriers
- They have nine offices across the US
- Provide a range of loads including auto hauling
- Offers traditional and dedicated brokerage options
- Loads can be searched and filtered on location within a radius and equipment type
- Shippers are offered personalised solutions
- Fast payment options are available
- Load tracking is available to provide visibility
- They provide opportunities for smaller carriers to access larger shipping contracts
- They can assist with EDI requirements through the latest technology
Website: https://circledelivers.com/
12. Trucker Tools
Trucker Tools offers a range of freight management tools which includes a load board, TMS, dispatch, ELD and telematics.
- Their load board is called Book It Now
- They have a large network of 165,000 carriers and 13 million truckers
- Users need to sign up to the load board on their website
- You can search and book loads easily
- Allows you to find loads on preferred lanes and save preferred brokers
- Send quotes and negotiate rates for loads
- Offers load recommendations based on your preferences
- Manage and view loads through the load board
- Load tracking is available
- Also offer additional tools to assist truckers
Website: https://www.truckertools.com/
13. TQL
TQL offers a freight brokerage service that covers North America with a load board.
- Their load board is free to use
- Provides access to over 65,000 loads per week
- They cater for a variety of equipment types including car transporters
- Carriers need to complete an online form to join their network
- They vet carriers by checking certificates and insurance
- You can search loads and select preferred lanes
- It can be accessed through a web portal and mobile app
- Support is provided by a dedicated Carrier Relations Team
- Provides a choice of payment options
- They have the highest Blue Book credit rating
Website: https://www.tql.com/
Car haulers load board Q&As
What are car haulers?
Car haulers also known as auto transporters or car carrying trailers are a specialist type of trailer designed to transport cars.
These trailers tend to have a semi-trailer design that can carry multiple cars in a single load or can take large construction vehicles, although there are smaller vehicles that can transport a single vehicle.
A large car transporter can carry up to 12 vehicles over two tiers but they most typically carry between 5 and 9 vehicles. Smaller vehicle transporters can be trailers that have open or enclosed sides to protect the vehicle whilst in transit.
Smaller single vehicle transporters have a gross weight limit of 7,000 pounds.
Why should you use a car hauler?
If you are looking to move a vehicle then you’ll probably need a car hauler unless you plan on driving the vehicle. Car haulers provide a safe way to transport vehicles any distance within the country and also abroad.
There is a choice of car haulage options available to meet different needs and budgets which include single vehicle transportation in either open or closed trailers, and there are multi-vehicle options to take several cars which can be for your exclusive use or you can share a transporter with other vehicles.
Do all car hauler load boards show rates?
Some load boards may display the rates for the loads but generally they are in the minority. Most load boards don’t display the load rates and this could be because they are designed to be competitive where carriers compete for the advertised loads by bidding for them.
If the rates were displayed it wouldn’t encourage the same competition from the carriers and the shippers wouldn’t get the best rate possible.
Some load boards offer support with working out the rates for loads which includes providing a rate calculator and historical rate information. This can be useful for both carriers and shippers as they can use it as a benchmark to assess bids.
Which load board pays the most?
Load boards don’t necessarily determine how much a load pays so one load board won’t automatically pay more than another every time. The loads are advertised either with or without a rate and the carriers can decide which loads to go for.
If they are bidding for loads they can decide how much they want to place the bid for. Therefore the carrier decides how much they will get paid for the load and they can determine how much profit they make.
The load board does have a slight impact on the rate in some cases as some load boards charge a fee for loads won which can be a percentage or fixed price. Each load board has its own set of fees or charges that vary which could be a monthly subscription, charges for loads won or a free plan.
The important thing is that you should be aware of what these fees or charges are and be able to factor these into your rates when bidding for loads.
Are there any restrictions around using a car hauler?
The restrictions that apply to car haulers are largely around their capacity and weight limits. It will depend on the size of the trailer on how many vehicles they can carry as there is a range of transporter sizes which can go from carrying a single vehicle to 12.
A multi-vehicle trailer generally will accommodate 5 to 9 vehicles. This will also vary if you are transporting larger vehicles that take up more room and are heavier such as construction vehicles.
There are some weight restrictions on different car transporters which include small transporters for single vehicles having a gross weight limit of 7,000 pounds. Larger semi-trailer transporters have a gross weight limit of 80,000 pounds in the US.