Last month, Trucker Tools surveyed truckers and carriers like you from across the country to find out more about the technology that you use in your day-to-day operations. More than 250 of you answered our survey, including carriers, owner operators and company drivers. We asked you about how you use technology when you’re on the road and about your attitudes…
Trucker Tools recently surveyed owner operators, company drivers and carriers like you from across the country to learn more about how you use technology in your day-to-day work. Truckers and carriers were kind enough to respond to our survey, sharing their experiences and thoughts around technology. Of those folks that answered our survey, 40 percent are carriers, 57 percent owner…
According to market research company IDC, inefficiency costs businesses 20 to 30 percent of their revenue each year. If you use manual tasks (i.e. check calls, manual truck searches, emails/phone calls to finalize truck bookings) in your business, you may be unnecessarily reducing your profits by up to 20 or 30 percent. Inefficiency within your operations also impacts your ability…
In this blog series Level Up Your Trucking Business, we’re providing building blocks to help you build an owner operator or carrier business that’s profitable, self-sustaining and efficient. Trucker Tools recently interviewed life-long trucker Jamie Hagan, who has been driving a truck and working in the industry for the last 23 years. We spoke with Jamie to learn more about…
According to a recent investigative report from FreightWaves, double-brokering scams have been reported across the nation, including in the Midwest, California, Florida, Oregon and Texas. Co-brokering is a legal practice that allows a freight broker or carrier to work with another broker or carrier to get a load moved. Fraudulent double-brokering is when someone is pretending to co-broker a real…
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, productivity increases have allowed the United States business sector to produce nine times more goods and services since 1947 with little increase in the number of hours worked. In your freight broker or 3PL business, increasing productivity offers you the same value proposition. Raising productivity offers you a chance to increase your volume…
Trucker Tools’ digital freight matching and Book It Now® offer freight brokers and logistics providers faster, more efficient ways to locate and secure trucks, which is especially important in a competitive capacity environment like the current one. These ground-breaking technologies offer a clear pathway to greater efficiency and cost reductions by simplifying employee workflows and increasing the speed with which…
Hayley Dobson, Trinity Logistics’ Group Vice President, recently spoke to Trucker Tools’ Founder and CEO Prasad Gollapalli about how the company is using Trucker Tools’ technology to simplify communications with carriers and provide them with a streamlined technology experience. The conversation, which was part of a webinar entitled “How Trinity Logistics Engages Carriers Through Technology To Build Its Network,” illustrates…
Welcome to your mid-week edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?,” a free market report that tells you which markets will be the most and least profitable over the next five to seven day period. In today’s edition of “Where’s the Freight?,” you’ll notice that dry van continues to dominate our Top Five Hottest Markets list, claiming four of the…
When trucks are in high demand like they are now, you need to be able to quickly locate loads and book them so you can get back on the road driving and making money. The truth is that using load boards and calling/emailing brokers to find out what they have available for loads takes time. You may have to respond…
Traditional freight brokerages are adopting powerful new technologies at an increasingly faster pace. Technology is the foundation for building better engagement and making your brokerage “stickier” with the carrier community in a capacity challenged market. This session explores how evolving technology is impacting brokers, and the key operational challenges that can be solved – and deliver rapid ROI – with…
Welcome to the Monday edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?,” your go-to source for info on where demand for specific types of capacity will be high and low in the coming week. As we head into the second full week of June, dry van continues to dominate, with dry van markets claiming all five spots in our today’s Top…
It’s Friday! That means a brand new edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?,” your place for finding out where demand for capacity will be high and low over the next five to seven days. According to FTR, the total number of truck loads in the U.S. is projected to be up eight percent this year as a whole, with…
If you’re working in a freight broker or logistics company, you may have mixed feelings about technology. While technology can do things faster, you may worry that technology is going to work so well that it will put you out of a job. If you have that worry, you’re not alone. Everyone wants to protect their livelihood, but the truth…
In a recent webinar entitled How to Scale Up and Drive Brokerage Efficiency—and Build Better Driver Relationships, Surge Transportation’s Founder and President Omar Singh spoke about how Trucker Tools’ digital solutions are helping the company meet several major business objectives. With integrations between Trucker Tools’ digital freight matching platform, Book-It-Now® and the company’s McLeod Software transportation management system, Surge Transportation…
According to a report released yesterday, transportation capacity tightened even further during the month of May. While this doesn’t come as a huge surprise if you’re in trucking, it’s notable that the report predicts that tight capacity and higher rates are likely to continue for at least the next year. In this mid-week edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?,”…
Since 1978, the Transportation Intermediaries Association has been providing resources, education and advocacy to third-party logistics companies of all sizes. Today TIA is made up of 1,600 member companies, most of which are small, family-owned businesses. Trucker Tools recently had the good fortune to host a webinar entitled “A Conversation with TIA’s Anne Reinke.” In the webinar, Reinke, who is…
Welcome to this Tuesday edition of “Where’s the Freight?,” a free market report from Trucker Tools that tells you where demand for specific types of truck capacity will be highest and lowest over the next five to seven days. With this information, you can make better business decision on loads, avoiding loads where backhauls are projected to be low-paying and…
In this series of blog posts, Level Up Your Trucking Business, we’re providing you and other owner operators/small carriers with tips for creating a self-sustaining, profitable trucking business. The recent cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, which provides the East Coast with 45 percent of its diesel, petrol and jet fuel, has increased fuel prices and caused shortages across the Southeast.…
Happy Friday and welcome to your Memorial Day weekend edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?,” your place to find out where demand for trucks will be high and low over the coming week. As we head into Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, demand for trucks, especially spot market dry van, remains high and isn’t expected to…
It’s undeniable that digital technology has forever changed the transportation industry. However, not all digital technologies deliver the same results. If you’re a freight broker or 3PL who wants to take your business to the next level, you have to make thoughtful technology choices to maximize ROI on your technology investments. That starts with implementing a true digital platform, not…
Join Trucker Tools and FreightWaves on June 9, 2021, for the Small Fleet & Owner Operator Summit! This virtual event for small fleets and owner operators will include presentations, demonstrations, virtual booths, and live interviews from the show. If you’re a new owner operator or carrier interested in building a solid foundation for your business, the 2021 Small Fleet &…
Spot market dry van rates were up last week with the biggest jump in pricing occurring in the Southeast, according to JOC. You’ll see that nation-wide rise in demand for dry van reflected in this mid-week edition of “Where’s the Freight?,” Trucker Tools’ free market report that tells you where demand for trucks will be highest and lowest over the…
When you think of using technology in your business with the goal of increasing operational efficiency, you have to think about how you can scale faster without incurring exponential expenses. If you’re a broker moving 1,000 loads/month today, how can you move 4,000 loads/month without hiring new employees and increasing your expenses? Well-designed, true digital platforms will reduce inefficiencies in…
The digital world has certainly changed the trucking industry. Mobile apps, process algorithms and machine learning technology have become part of our daily lives both at work and at home. This is in stark contrast to the Excel spreadsheets, white boards, loads boards and other manual tools that for many years were the only way to do business. Today, true…
In this Monday edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?,” a three times/week free market report for truckers and carriers, we continue to see West Coast port congestion impact demand and rates. As of today, 21 container ships are anchored and waiting to enter the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and another 16 container ships are expected to…
It’s no secret that it’s hard for you to find parking as a trucker. According to research from the American Transportation Research Institute, the states where truck parking is hardest to come by are Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. The good news is that organizations such as the federally funded Truck Parking Information Management System (TPIMS) are now providing up-to-the-minute…
Happy Friday! Yesterday, the Marco Polo, an ocean carrier the length of three and a half football fields, docked in New Jersey. It’s the largest container ship ever to visit the East Coast and it will be docking at ports in Norfolk, Va., Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C., in the coming week. It’s no surprise then that in today’s edition…
Trucker Tools recently surveyed broker and logistics providers about which technologies they use in their daily operations and what their biggest tech needs are. We heard from brokers and 3PLs of varying sizes. Forty percent of those who answered the survey book 500 loads or less each month, 30 percent book up to 5,000 loads/month and 20 percent book between…
When you can’t find a parking spot for your rig, it’s more than just a minor convenience. Lack of truck parking can cause you to violate HOS rules, park in unsafe locations, experience added stress and fatigue, and reduce your revenue. Despite this, state DOT offices recently reported that not many new public facilities or spaces are currently being developed.…
Welcome to your mid-week edition of “Where’s the Freight?,” Trucker Tools’ free market report that tells you where demand for trucks will be high and low in the coming week. First, the big picture: the national tender rejection rate is still at approximately 25 percent, which means most markets favor truckers and carriers, with carriers rejecting one out of every…
It’s always good to have more choices, which is why Trucker Tools has partnered up with leading Electronic Logging Device providers from across the transportation industry. Trucker Tools’ ELD integration partnerships allow truckers to use an ELD device to digitally track loads on Trucker Tools’ load tracking platform. If for some reason a trucker can’t use the Trucker Tools free…
It’s early in the North American produce season yet demand for reefer capacity is already extremely tight in many parts of the United States, particularly along the southern border. Produce truck rates are up by at least 70 percent compared with last year, which makes it a good time to be in refrigerated trucking. This year’s produce season isn’t without…
Welcome to the Monday edition of “Where’s the Freight?,” Trucker Tools’ free market report for trucker and carriers. Published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, “Where’s the Freight?” tells you where demand for specific types of trucks will be high and low, and where demand will be rising and falling over the next week. With hundreds of brokers/3PLs booking trucks on…
Last week, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association sent a letter to the U.S. DOT imploring the Biden administration to make truck parking a bigger priority in future federal funding and infrastructure plans. The reason why truck parking is such a big issue for truckers is certainly no secret: a 2019 parking study by the American Transportation Research Institute found that…
Happy Friday! If you’re looking for information on which freight markets will help you maximize your profit margins over the next week, you’ve come to the right place. Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” is a free market report that tells you where demand for specific types of trucks will be rising and falling in the next five to seven days.…
If you’re looking for guidance on how to make this year a successful one for your logistics business, you don’t want to miss FreightWaves LIVE @HOME virtual event, May 19-20. FreightWaves LIVE @HOME 2021 will focus on what the industry has learned from the last year, how to enhance the resiliency of your logistics business and where opportunities may appear…
Whether you’re a company driver on the hunt for good backhauls or an own operator targeting favorite lanes with preferred brokers, you don’t want to spend tons of time searching for and booking your loads. If it takes you an hour to search for, negotiate the rate on and finalize a load booking with a broker, that’s one less hour…
The U.S. transportation sector has hit its proverbial ceiling, according to a report released by FreightWaves over the weekend. That indicates that there likely will be no end in sight to high demand for trucks for at least the next year. As you look ahead to the coming week, it’s important to know which markets are likely to be the…
In a recent Trucker Tools survey, we asked company drivers, owner operators and carriers about the current challenges of truck parking, including short term, long term and overnight parking. Eighty-six percent of the nearly 200 truckers who responded to our survey told us that they struggle to find truck parking. Seventy-nine percent of those surveyed also told us that overnight…
You may think that you have to increase the number of staff members that you employ if you want to expand your customer base, diversify your business or increase load volume. But the truth is this: with the right technology, you can scale up your freight broker business without substantially increasing overhead. Technology that increases the efficiency with which you…
The U.S. transportation sector has hit its proverbial ceiling, according to a report released by FreightWaves over the weekend. That indicates that there likely will be no end in sight to high demand for trucks for at least the next year. As you look ahead to the coming week, it’s important to know which markets are likely to be the…
New orders for trucks and trailers continue to remain high — another reflection of the exceptionally high demand for truck capacity in North American freight markets. Class 8 orders in April of this year were 689 percent higher than in April 2020. It’s unclear at this time when truck and equipment manufacturers will be able to catch up with demand…
The benefits of increased productivity can’t be ignored. For starters, increasing productivity in your freight broker business often can expand your profit margins. Upping productivity also can help you increase the volume of business that you do without increasing overhead, which is what every business owner wants to do. Boosting productivity may have the added benefit of increasing commissions for…
According to a report published yesterday, the current transportation capacity environment is one of the tightest ever measured. In the truckload market, that means that carriers still are rejecting one out of every four loads under contract, even though van and reefer rejections have fallen slightly over the last week. For you, that means that demand for trucks isn’t likely…
In a recent webinar with Trucker Tools entitled “How Ryan Transportation Accelerated Access to Visibility Information,” Ryan Transportation’s Senior VP of Operations Jeff Henderson spoke about the company’s early adoption of Trucker Tools’ freight tracking platform and the benefits gained through the implementation. With Trucker Tools’ real-time visibility software, Ryan Transportation has increased operational efficiency, daily load volume and the…
Leaders in freight brokerage and logistics will gather together virtually May 11-13 for the Transportation Intermediaries Association’s 2021 Capital Ideas Conference. The conference will include educational sessions, networking events and the opportunity to see some of the most exciting technology available to the industry. Trucker Tools’ CEO and Founder Prasad Gollapalli will be a featured speaker in two different educational…
Jungle Scout’s first quarter 2021 Consumer Trends Report found that 58 percent of the consumers surveyed shop online at least once a week, if not more. Of those that shop on Amazon, 55 percent said they would pay more for faster shipping. These consumer trends reflect just how much pressure consumer spending and expectations are having on freight markets and…
Trucker Tools partners with technology leaders across the transportation industry to simplify how you do business, whether you’re a solo owner operator, company driver, fleet owner, small trucking company, or broker/logistics provider. Trucker Tools’ integration partnerships are all about helping you maximize your productivity and earn more revenue. Our newest integration partnership is with technology company Gorilla Safety, a leader…
On Tuesday of this week, FreightWaves reported that first quarter earnings for truckload carriers shows that growth for the entire year could be substantial. Some analysts are predicting that tight capacity, especially for reefer and flatbed, could continue well into 2022. In this Friday edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?,” once again Texarkana, Texas, is projected to be the…
In a recent Trucker Tools webinar, Trucker Tools’ Founder & CEO Prasad Gollapalli spoke with Jeff Henderson, Senior VP of Operations for Ryan Transportation, about the benefits the company has gained from dramatically improved data quality and compliance success with Trucker Tools. In the webinar, entitled “How Ryan Transportation Accelerated Access to Visibility Information,” Henderson spoke about the visibility challenges…
What a year it’s been — between the pandemic, shutdowns and unpredictable supply and demand, it’s been a real roller coaster. Jovanic Bontemps, the owner of Long Island-based FR8UP Logistics, recently sat down with us to talk about what it’s been like to launch a new trucking business this year. As a newcomer to the industry, Jovanic shared with us…
According to a recent report from FreightWaves, the current shortage of container capacity, as well as port congestion and delays, will continue to have a major impact on supply chains for the foreseeable future. Most manufactured goods such as medicines, clothing and processed foods are shipped via container. In fact, a whopping 80 percent of consumable goods are shipped via…
The last 12 months have been anything but typical. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on freight and rates, including reefer demand and rates. Port congestion, winter storms, vaccine distribution, COVID-19 outbreaks and unpredictable consumer demand all have put pressure on freight markets. Demand for reefer capacity currently is sky-high and there’s no end in sight, as the…
If you’ve launched a new carrier business in the last year or you’re thinking of doing so, you’re not alone! In 2020, the FMCSA granted common authority to approximately 58,000 motor carriers, a 36 percent increase over the previous year. With this in mind, Trucker Tools recently interviewed two different trucking company owners, Shawn Stewart and Jovanic Bontemps, for their…
As you get back to work on this Monday, Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” has all the information you need to make this week a profitable one. “Where’s the Freight?” tells you where demand for specific types of trucks will be high and low, as well as where demand for trucks is expected to rise and fall in the coming…
If you’re a company driver and you’re thinking of becoming an owner operator to capitalize on current freight rates, you’re not alone. Many truckers start out as company drivers and, at least for some period of time during their careers, switch to running freight as owner operators. As most owner operators will tell you, being an owner op includes all…
With produce season kicking into high gear, vaccine distribution increasing and consumer demand high, it’s certainly a good time to be in the trucking industry! Freight volumes and demand for trucks remain elevated across much of the country. Federal COVID-19 stimulus programs, which have included expanded unemployment benefits and direct to consumer stimulus payments, and a manufacturing sector that continues…
According to a Gartner survey conducted in 2020 when disruptions to the supply chain were at their peak, 75 percent of organizations reported that their supply chains were disrupted, yet 44 percent of supply chain organizations reported having no strategy in place to deal with disruptions in the future. One of the big takeaways from the COVID-19 pandemic and the…
Spring is here — finally! With spring comes one of the busiest times of the year for reefer drivers: produce season. The produce growing season in the continental United States typically starts in late March/ early April and ends in November. With produce season now in full swing in Florida and Texas, and fruits and vegetables coming across the border…
“Where’s the Freight?” is Trucker Tools’ three times/week market report that tells you in advance where demand for trucks will be highest and lowest over the coming week. You can use this valuable information when you’re deciding on which loads to accept or reject. “Where’s the Freight?” helps you maximize your revenue and avoid taking loads into areas where there…
In a recent webinar entitled “Where Are the Trucks?,” Trucker Tools’ CEO and founder Prasad Gollapalli moderated a panel discussion on what freight brokers and 3PLs can expect from the truck capacity market in the remaining months of 2021. The panel included FTR Transportation Intelligence’s VP of Trucking Avery Vise, JOC’s Senior Editor for Trucking and Domestic Transportation Bill Cassidy,…
So far, April is proving to be just as busy as the month of March was for truckers and carriers like you. Demand for flatbed and reefer capacity remains elevated, as evidenced in today’s Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” five hottest markets list, which is dominated by reefer and flatbed markets. In the coming week, you can expect demand for…
With the North American produce season just kicking off, we surveyed truckers and carriers like you to find out what you can do as a reefer driver to ensure that your produce loads run as smoothly as possible. Seventy percent of the truckers and carriers we surveyed said that moving produce can be challenging and that the biggest issue right…
In the current freight market, you can afford to be selective with which loads you take and which you pass on. Trucker Tools’ market report, “Where’s the Freight?,” is there with the assist to help you identify which markets are likely to be the most and least profitable for you in the coming week. The information contained in “Where’s the…
Real-time visibility: every shipper wants it, which is why it’s a service that you must be able to provide as a freight broker or logistics provider. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, online consumer demand, evolving supply chain best practices and COVID-19 vaccine distribution all have made real-time visibility more important than ever. Shippers require real-time, continuous location updates on their…
In Tuesday’s Midday Market Update, FreightWaves reported that at least one out of every four loads in the United States is being rejected by carriers, which is much higher than normal for this time of year. Tender rejection rates, which measure demand, haven’t been below 25 percent since February, reflecting red hot freight markets and tight capacity across most of…
In this Monday edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?,” find out where demand and rates are likely to be high and low over the next week. With more than 1 million truckers using the Trucker Tools driver app, 145,000+ fleets on Trucker Tools’ free carrier software platform and the most popular brokers and 3PLs using Trucker Tools’ software platforms,…
High volumes of imported goods from China, record-breaking home construction and the rebounding manufacturing sector continue to fuel demand for flatbed truck capacity across North America. That’s why you’ll see in today’s edition of “Where’s the Freight?” that four of the five hottest markets for truckers in the coming week will be flatbed markets. Over the next five to seven…
In this your Wednesday edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?,” you’ll gain an advantage over your competitors with insights into which markets are likely to be hot and cold over the next five to seven day period. According to the most recent data from Trucker Tools’ software platforms, flatbed and reefer remain red hot, which is why you’ll see…
During the entire month of March, Trucker Tools is bringing you the stories of women from across the transportation industry, from company drivers and owner operators to executives and transportation entrepreneurs. We’re celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting women who are literally making history, paving the way for other women inside and outside the transportation industry. We recently spoke with…
In this Level Up Your Trucking Business blog series, we’re providing you with tips and best practices for running an owner operator business that is profitable and self-sustaining. We recently spoke with Barry Fowler, president and founder of Trucker Tax Tools, to learn more about some of the most common financial mistakes that owner operators make with bookkeeping, taxes and…
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and federal stimulus payments are contributing to elevated consumer demand for durable goods, including items such as home furnishings, clothing and electronics. On Saturday, FreightWaves reported that consumers spent 22 percent more on goods in January and 17 percent more on goods in February when compared with 2020. At the national level, demand for flatbed capacity…
The goal: secure capacity faster, reduce trucker downtime, cut costs, improve carrier engagement, and raise the service bar. GlobalTranz was among the industry’s first to recognize and act on the potential for digitizing the freight brokerage model. They’ve built leading-edge solutions, and engaged with strategic best of breed partners, to continually improve their technology offering – driving ongoing benefits to…
In a recent research report, 80 percent of the supply chain companies surveyed reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on their businesses. If you’re like most logistics and brokerage businesses, you’re trying to adapt to a new normal in which resiliency and the ability to anticipate and recover from market disruptions are mandatory. While many of…
It’s March, which means produce season is kicking off in southern Florida and Texas. At the same time, produce imports are flowing into the country across the border from Mexico right now and reefer capacity continues to be in high demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Needless to say, it’s a good time to be a reefer driver. Trucker Tools…
In a recent webinar co-hosted by FreightWaves and Trucker Tools, Axle Logistics’ Vice President of Logistics Shawn McLeod spoke with Trucker Tools’ CEO and Founder Prasad Gollapalli about the company’s strategic approach to technology innovation and implementation. The webinar, entitled Ultimate Tips on Where To Start Your Technology Voyage, centered on the processes and tools that Axle Logistics uses to…
During the month of March, Trucker Tools is celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by introducing you to women leading the way in the transportation industry. We’re interviewing female company drivers, owner operators, entrepreneurs, brokers, 3PL owners, executives and directors to learn more about their careers in transportation, their challenges and where they turn for support and inspiration.…
As an owner operator, you wear two hats: driver and small business owner. One of the biggest challenges you’ll face as driver and small business owner is balancing your expenses and your profit margins on loads. According to Indeed, the average gross pay for an independent owner operator is about $280,000 each year, which sounds like a great salary. Keep…
Happy Friday! As construction and manufacturing have gained steam across the country, so has the demand for flatbed capacity. Today’s edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” includes three different flatbed markets in our top five freight markets in North America list. You’ll also notice that for the first time in four months, there isn’t a reefer market in our…
In this blog series, Level Up Your Trucking Business, you can learn how to reduce your expenses, be more efficient and establish sound business practices now to help your owner operator business grow in the future. As an owner operator, your approach toward digital load tracking can have a significant impact on your relationships with brokers and logistics providers. In…
Trucker Tools’ partnerships with leading technology companies are focused on providing convenience, ease of use and reliability — for truckers, carriers, brokers and logistics companies. Our new partnership with EROAD does exactly that, offering you another option for digitally tracking freight with Trucker Tools. Trucker Tools’ partnership with EROAD allows you to view EROAD ELD location data in Trucker Tools’…
In this Wednesday edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” Winnipeg, Manitoba, is projected to be the most favorable reefer market for truckers and carriers over the next five to seven days. If you’re a regular reader of “Where’s the Freight?” this is notable because it’s the first time in nearly four months that the top reefer market in North…
Trucker Tools is interviewing women from across the transportation industry throughout the entire month of March to celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. We’re celebrating female leaders in transportation, from owner operators, company drivers and social media influencers to executives and freight brokerage owners. We recently spoke with Rhonda Bompensa-Zimmerman, Director of Fitness and Wellness for GlobalTranz, to…
Just when you thought spring was here, winter continues to hang around. Several snowstorms are expected to drop up to 36 inches of snow across the Northwest, Rockies and Southwestern Canada this week. The good news is that the snowstorms forecast for this week for the most part will be confined to high elevations in these regions. These storms come…
One of the greatest challenges you face particularly as a new owner operator is knowing which loads to accept and which ones to pass on. In this blog, which is part of our “Level Up Your Trucking Business” series for owner operators, you’ll discover how you can use free, digital tools to make better decisions on loads. With the free…
Last week, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, which includes emergency rental and homeowner assistance, small business assistance, extension of unemployment benefits and tax credits, and individual recovery rebates. Many consumers received their $1,400 rebates this week, which is expected to further boost consumer spending, though to what extent this will impact freight markets remains to be seen. In today’s…
Digital freight matching is changing how the freight brokerage and logistics industries do business. Digital freight matching technology finds the best truck matches for your uncovered loads in a matter of seconds, eliminating the need to use load boards or call/email carriers to inquire about capacity. With digital freight matching, you can instantly see what capacity is available, cover loads…
Wouldn’t it be valuable if you knew where demand for trucks will be high and low in the next week? Armed with this knowledge, you could maximize your earnings by passing on loads that would take you into areas where rates are projected to be low. Instead, you could make markets where demand will be high a top priority. Trucker…
Trucker Tools will be among the leaders and companies from across the logistics industry coming together at FreightWaves’ 3PL Summit on March 24, 2021. One of the industry’s largest events is going virtual, bringing cutting-edge technology and best practices for surviving and thriving in 2021 right to your doorstep. Trucker Tools will host a virtual booth and demonstration of its…
In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Trucker Tools is highlighting female leaders in transportation throughout the entire month of March. We recently spoke with trucker Kim Loescher, a 14-year veteran of the industry, about her experiences as a female trucker and the changes she’s seen in the industry over the last 14 years. In our conversation,…
In today’s edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” you’ll see how several months of port congestion around Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., is impacting other port markets such as Savannah, Ga., San Diego and Jacksonville, Fla. Just how busy was the month of February for West Coast ports? The Port of Long Beach had its busiest February ever…
Even though February is the shortest month of the year, we loaded up the Trucker Tools blog with lots of timely tips on dealing with winter weather, advice on how to grow your business and interviews with truckers from all across the nation. If you missed out on some of these February blogs, don’t worry — we’ve got your back.…
Orders for trailers in February were up by 82 percent when compared to last year, indicating that demand for trucks and capacity remains red hot across the nation. Major delays at U.S. ports, a driver shortage, sky-high demand for consumer goods and a boom in new home construction are driving freight markets and sustained demand for truck capacity. In today’s…
Trucker Tools recently had to good fortune to speak with Dr. Rhonda Bompensa-Zimmerman, Director of Fitness and Wellness at GlobalTranz. After a career in education and corporate health and wellness, Rhonda earned a Ph.D. in health psychology and joined the GlobalTranz team in 2019 to support the 400 plus employees onsite at the company’s headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz. She offers…
Congress is expected to pass at $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill later today, which is likely to trigger a surge in consumer spending and freight volumes in the coming weeks and days. Truck capacity is already in high demand, as vaccine distribution increases and some states are in the process of relaxing their pandemic stay at home orders. In today’s…
To celebrate Black History Month in the month of February, we’re bringing you this interview series with Black professionals from around the transportation industry, from truckers and trucking company owners to brokers, logistics providers and transportation entrepreneurs. In this final blog in the series, we spoke with Jovanic Bontemps, owner of Atlanta-based FR8UP Logistics and FR8UP Transportation Services, the lease…
Our goal here at Trucker Tools is to provide truckers like you with absolutely everything that you need during your busy days in the cab. That’s why Trucker Tools has partnered with TVC Pro-Driver, a company that’s been serving truckers for more than 30 years. TVC Pro-Driver offers CDL legal protection to truckers through its network of more than 7,000…
According to a new report from Logistics Mangers’ Index, port congestion and consumer demand for durable goods increased demand and rates for truck capacity in the month of February, a trend that we’re seeing continue in March. On Saturday, FreightWaves reported that outbound tender volumes are up 16 percent year-over-year and that capacity is particularly scarce across the Midwest. In…
In a recent Trucker Tools webinar entitled How To Kickstart Your Company Culture, Trucker Tools’ CEO and founder Prasad Gollapalli was joined by England Logistics’ president, Jason Beardall. Together, Gollapalli and Beardall have more than 35 years of experience in the transportation industry. In the webinar, the two discussed what company culture is, how to build a positive company culture…
In Trucker Tools’ February blogs, we offered you tips on how to grow your business in 2021 and guidance on choosing the right technology for your company. Our February blogs featured an interview with Tamara Brock, owner of new 3PL Brock Logistics, about what it’s been like transitioning from being an OTR trucker to founder of a 3PL. We also…
Residential construction, consumer demand and an increase in U.S. oil drilling all are driving the sustained demand for flatbed capacity across the country. That’s why in today’s edition of “Where’s the Freight?” three of the top five markets for truckers and carriers in the coming week will be flatbed markets. Rapid City, S.D., will continue to be one of the…
In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Trucker Tools is shining a spotlight on female leaders within the transportation industry. Over the next month, we’ll be interviewing women working in trucking, freight brokerage, logistics and transportation software to learn more about their experiences as women working in transportation. For the first blog in this series, we spoke…
Wouldn’t you like to know where demand for trucks will be highest and lowest across the country over the next five to seven days? If so, Trucker Tools has you covered! Our three times/week “Where’s the Freight?” market report tells you where rates are on the rise and where they’re expected to be low in the coming week. The beauty…
In a recent webinar hosted by Adrian Gonzalez of Talking Logistics, Trucker Tools’ founder and CEO Prasad Gollapalli joined Russ Felker, CTO of GlobalTranz, to discuss how GlobalTranz has prioritized the enhancement of shipper and carrier relationships with its digital transformation efforts with Trucker Tools’ technology. The webinar, entitled Scaling Your Technology Up to Enhance Customer Engagement, includes insights on…
The decisions you make now impact not only how your business fares today, but also how it will fare in the future. In this blog series entitled “Level Up Your Trucking Business,” you’ll learn how you can use Trucker Tools’ free technology to reduce your expenses, maximize your drive time and create a profitable, self-sustaining owner operator trucking business. This…
The winter storms that hit Texas and other parts of the country over the past two weeks continue to impact demand for trucks across the nation. In today’s edition of “Where’s the Freight?” you’ll notice that two markets where demand for flatbed capacity is projected to rise this week are in Texas, reflecting fallout from these storms. Outbound tender rejections,…
Trucker Tools will join executives and professionals from across the transportation industry March 8 through March 12, 2021, for Elevate Americas 2021, one of several annual user conferences hosted by Körber (formerly HighJump TMS) worldwide. Trucker Tools is an Ambassador Sponsor of the virtual event, which will focus on how organizations can navigate uncertainty and understand emerging trends within transportation…
Happy Friday! In your Friday edition of “Where’s the Freight?” you’ll see that three of the five hottest markets in the next week will be flatbed markets, reflecting a nation-wide increase in demand for flatbed capacity. Construction and manufacturing are driving the increase in demand and rates for flatbed capacity. You’ll also find that Little Rock, Ark., is making its…
In Trucker Tools’ new blog series “Level Up Your Trucking Business,” you’ll receive insights on how you can use the Trucker Tools app and free carrier platform to reduce your expenses, maximize your revenue and position yourself for future growth. In this first blog in the series, you’ll learn about the expenses associated with load boards, with are probably greater…
With Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” you know where trucks will be in the highest demand over the next five to seven days. Armed with this information, you can get your truck(s) into these hot markets before they heat up to capitalize on high demand and rates. You also can use “Where’s the Freight?” to know whether it makes good…
As part of our celebration of Black History Month, we’re highlighting Black leaders in the transportation industry, from company drivers and owner ops to freight brokers and 3PL owners. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Pinkie Dabney, a company driver and social media influencer with more than 57,000 followers on her YouTube channel, Keeping it 100 Experiences. In…
An arctic cold front recently moved across the South and Southeastern United States, bringing ice, snow, whiteouts and treacherous driving to regions that don’t typically get much snow. Roads in many places are still covered in snow and ice across the Southern Plains and the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys. With this recent severe winter weather in mind, we spoke…
Published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” tells you where demand for trucks will be high and low over the next five to seven days. The predictions you see in each edition of “Where’s the Freight?” are based on real truck and load data from the Trucker Tools driver app and broker platforms. Using this data,…
If you’re thinking of implementing new technology in your brokerage or logistics business, you’re certainly not alone. The market unpredictability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how important it is for you to use technology to your advantage in your operations. Well-designed technology gives you the ability to react faster to fluctuating demand and provide better service to shippers.…
In today’s edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” you’ll see that demand for flatbed capacity will remain elevated across several markets in the Plains states. Four of the five markets that are projected to be the most favorable to truckers in the coming week are flatbed markets, reflecting higher than normal flatbed volumes for this time of year. In…
Trucker Tools recently co-hosted a webinar with FreightWaves entitled Inside Scoop: How Ryder Differentiated Their Brokerage With Trucker Tools. This webinar featured Trucker Tools’ CEO and Founder Prasad Gollapalli and Dave Belter, Vice President and General Manager of Global Transportation Management Solutions for Ryder. The webinar discussion centered on how Ryder is leveraging Trucker Tools’ driver app, digital freight matching,…
Trucker Tools is celebrating Black History by highlighting Black voices from across the transportation industry, from brokers and truckers to entrepreneurs and 3PL-owners. One of those voices is Larry Cothran, who started his trucking career in 2007 as a company driver for Swift. Today Larry is an active YouTuber who shares the knowledge he’s gained over the years both as…
Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” tells you where demand and rates are likely to be high and low in the next seven day period. “Where’s the Freight?” is published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the Trucker Tools blog and on our social media channels. The information you see in “Where’s the Freight?” is based on real data from our…
The transportation industry is constantly changing and evolving, adapting to new technologies, economic forces and changes to the supply chain as they occur. One area of the industry that has developed and changed rapidly in recent years is digital freight tracking. As Omar Singh, CEO and Founder of Surge Transportation, told us in a recent interview, “Freight visibility has completely…
Trucker Tools recently surveyed truckers like you about your health, fitness and wellness challenges and how you stay healthy on the road. You may have even answered our survey. If so, thank you! We wanted to find out what you need help with when it comes to health and fitness. We also wanted to find out how you cope with…
In Today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report, you’ll see that demand for flatbed will continue to be elevated over the next week. In fact, the Trucker Tools Market Index shows that four of the five hottest markets in the coming week will be flatbed markets, reflecting a nation-wide surge in demand for flatbed. It’s no huge surprise that Tucson, Ariz.,…
The Trucker Tools driver app has been downloaded more than 1 million times. The reason why is simple: it delivers on its promise of saving truckers like you time and money. What makes the Trucker Tools driver app different from other trucker apps is that it’s an all-in-one tool. Instead of flipping between four or five different apps, you can…
It’s that time of year! Winter weather currently is impacting demand and rates across several markets in the Southeast and Midwest. Another powerful storm is expected to start today in the Pacific Northwest and hit southern states over the weekend. Today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report shows high demand for flatbed capacity in the Plains states and several East Coast…
In celebration of Black History Month, Trucker Tools is highlighting Black voices from across the transportation industry, including truckers, executives, business owners and entrepreneurs. We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Tamara Brock, who spent six years as an OTR trucker before earning her freight broker’s license and launching her new 3PL, Brock Logistics, last year. In our conversation…
The last 12 months have been marked by unpredictability and volatility. It’s been feast or famine as the pandemic has impacted nearly every facet of supply chains, including staffing, manufacturing, inventories, ports, rates and driver availability. One of the big lessons learned over the past year is that technology helps brokers and 3PLs better mitigate market volatility. Approximately 62 percent…
Today’s Trucker Tools Market Index shows that demand for flatbed capacity in several Midwest and Plains markets will be high in the next five to seven days, while Tucson, Ariz., will continue to be a hot spot for reefer in the coming week. You also can expect rates for the Southwestern, Ontario, van market and Mobile, Ala., power only market…
Knowing where demand for trucks will be high in the future is priceless. When you know in advance which markets are likely to pay higher rates, you have time to get your truck(s) into those regions to capitalize on high demand. The same holds true for markets where demand and rates are low or decreasing. Knowing in advance where rates…
If you missed out on any of Trucker Tools’ blogs last month, this is your chance to get all caught up. In January, we published the results from our health and fitness survey on the Trucker Tools blog. A big thank you to the nearly 200 truckers who responded to our health and fitness survey. We also interviewed truckers to…
As we head into the weekend, today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report shows that demand for trucks will continue to be high in several Southern and Midwest markets in the next week. We’ll see surges in demand for power only capacity in Texas and Florida, while reefer demand will remain elevated in and out of Tucson, Ariz. Port congestion will…
Trucker Tools recently hosted a webinar entitled Comprehensive Insights To Scale Your Brokerage in 2021: What Brokers Should Focus on in Q1. The webinar featured Trucker Tools’ founder and CEO Prasad Gollapalli, who was joined by Doug Clark, an advisor at the Transportation Intermediaries Association and a 30-year veteran of the transportation industry. The discussion centered on best practices for…
The winter season certainly can be a challenging one for truckers like you. Icy roads, snow, blizzards, whiteout conditions and low temperatures can cause accidents, slow travel, lost revenue, delays and more. With these challenges in mind, Trucker Tools recently surveyed truckers from across the country about how to cope with winter driving. Nearly 200 drivers responded to our survey…
Demand for trucks continues to outpace available capacity in markets across the country. On Saturday, FreightWaves reported that national outbound tender rejections, which measure demand for trucks, increased slightly. Overall freight volumes are up by 21 percent when compared with 2020. In today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report, you’ll see that Austin, Texas, will be among the hottest markets for…
It’s hard to believe that January is already over, but it is! January 2021 was certainly one to remember, as we saw freight volumes (and rates) remain elevated in many parts of the country. Though rejections have gone down slightly since the holidays ended, business is still booming for this time of year. Trucker Tools published several blogs in January…
Trucker Tools recently interviewed owner operator Wayne Cragg to learn more about his life on the road as a flatbedder and about his career in trucking. Wayne is a veteran of the U.S. Navy who mostly hauls glass and steel. He often has to deal with snow and ice on his runs across the country. During our conversation, Wayne shared…
Happy February, truckers! In today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report, we see that demand for trucks remains elevated for this time of year across many parts of the country. Freight volumes at both East Coast and West Coast ports continue to trend up, which is impacting demand and rates on both coasts. A Nor’easter is bringing heavy snow and wind…
To grow any business, you need to be able to reduce your expenses and increase profit margins. In the simplest of terms, you want more money coming into your business and less going out of it. Using technology to make your operations more efficient is one of the most economical ways to reduce your spend and grow revenue. In many…
In today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report, you’ll see some new names on our hot and cold markets list, as well as some familiar faces. For the eighth consecutive week in a row, Tucson, Ariz., will remain the hottest reefer market in the country for those of you who pull refrigerated freight. Wheeling, W. Va., today makes its first appearance…
After careers in the U.S. Navy and hospitality management, Wayne Cragg got into the trucking industry based on a recommendation from a friend who ran a trucking school at the time. Eight years later, Wayne is hauling flatbed for a trucking company based out of Redmond, Ore.,and blogging about his life as a truckerfor CDL training company Driver Solutions. Wayne’s…
There are most certainly seasonal trends in the freight business. The first few months of the year usually are slow ones for truckers, as retail sales drop off after Christmas and the start of the new year. Freight rates usually are lower in the first quarter of the year, January through March, as a result. In this blog, we take…
If you’re waiting for the usual post-holiday dip in volume and rates, you may be waiting for quite some time! FreightWaves recently reported that tender volumes currently are 23 percent higher than they were at this time last year. Rates in many markets continue to be elevated to levels not usually seen at this time of year, which is great…
As a recent report from McKinsey & Company notes, the COVID-19 pandemic has offered brokers and 3PLs like you with opportunities for reinvention and growth: “The crisis presents opportunities for logistics firms to revisit their business models, enter new markets, and innovate around new service offerings.” The report goes on to astutely observe that, “Wise planners will prepare for a…
Your operating costs as a broker or logistics provider can balloon when many of your processes are manual. When significant amounts of time and human resources are required to complete a single manual task, you losethe opportunity to move more volume. Automating the most basic aspects of your operations delivers cost-savings and creates opportunities for growth. Instead of spending time…
Nationwide demand for trucks has fallen in the last week. Demand and rates for both dry van and reefer capacity have fallen in the month of January, as well. However, demand and rates for both dry van and reefer still favor carriers and are high for this time of year. Today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report shows that the reefer…
In today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report, we see capacity tightening in some Northeastern markets, while the Tucson, Ariz., reefer market continues to be one of the hottest reefer market in the country. Imports from China to the West Coast continue to surge, creating a traffic jam of container ships around Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., which is impacting…
There’s no denying that real-time, digital freight tracking benefits your customers. Shippers value freight visibility because it helps them better manage their staffing and other resources. Digital load tracking also makes it easier for your customers to identify inefficiencies in their operations and supply chains. Real-time, digital load tracking improves the efficiency of your own operations and that of your…
It’s that time of year when it seems like there’s a new blizzard moving across the country every week, dumping several inches of snow and creating whiteout conditions, which makes driving difficult. Trucker Tools recently surveyed truckers and carriers like yourself about winter driving and how to deal with winter weather challenges. Nearly 200 drivers and carriers responded to our…
Nationwide reefer tender rejection rates went up slightly last week, as did reefer freight volumes. This reflects high demand and per mile rates for reefer capacity across many parts of the country. On the other side of the coin, dry van spot rates are trending down this week, which is as expected at this time of year. In today’s Trucker…
Since we created the first version of the Trucker Tools free app for truckers, we’ve added over a dozen new tools and features that help you save time and money on the road. From in-app cargo insurance and CDL legal protection options to reserved parking and a crowdsourced weigh scale locator, the Trucker Tools driver app has everything you need.…
Read Time: 5 minutes This how to guide will walk you through how to save load searches in the Trucker Tools app. You can quickly and easily search for your preferred type of load, loads for your preferred lanes, loads at specific locations, etc., the next time you enter the app. In this video, I will show you how to…
This is usually one of the slowest times of the year in trucking. Not this year, however. Distribution of several different COVID-19 vaccines, an increase in volumes at ports and the possibility of a second stimulus are all driving sustained demand for trucks. Companies have developed better systems and protocols for dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks, which has helped manufacturing rebound.…
The life expectancy of truckers is 16 years less than it is for people working in other professions. Long-haul truck drivers also are at a higher risk of becoming obese compared with adults in other occupations in the United States. The longer that truckers stay in the industry, the higher their risk is for developing high blood pressure, high triglycerides,…
It’s hard to believe it, but that’s another year in the books! In the last month of 2020, Trucker Tools’ blogs tackled some big topics to help you succeed in the new year. We interviewed driver Kim Loescher about how she maintains her health on the road and spoke with trucker Roni Bender for our top tips for new truckers…
An increase in freight at ports, consumer spending during the holiday season and a boost in manufacturing volume all made for a very busy December. In December, Trucker Tools shared several timely blog posts that offered guidance on how your brokerage/3PL can continue to grow in 2021 with the right technology-based tools. Our December blogs included an interview with freight…
Knowing where rates and demand will be high and where they’ll be low in the future is valuable information. When you can access this information in advance, you have time to get your truck(s) into hot markets before they heat up and out of cooling markets before they go cold. Trucker Tools’ newly launched Market Index Reports provide truckers and…
Increasing the efficiency of your operations boosts the overall productivity of your freight brokerage or logistics business. When you increase productivity, you can raise your profits margins and/or increase the volume of freight you move. Raising productivity also can ultimately benefit the shippers and carriers with whom you work. When you are able to do things such as share information…
Trucker Tools recently surveyed truckers like you to find out more about how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting you and your livelihood. We conducted the same survey back in April at the beginning of the pandemic. The truckers we surveyed recently say that they continue to struggle with reduced income, reduced hours at truck stops, extended detention time, increased restrictions…
If you’re looking for information on where to go for the highest rates, you’ve found it! Trucker Tools’ Market Index Report uses information from our driver app, broker software platforms and other sources to predict where rates and demand will be highest and lowest in the coming week. Unlike many rate/demand prediction tools, our Market Index Report is free for…
During a busy season like this, it may be difficult for you to make time for exercise or even for stretching your legs for a few minutes. Sitting too long and not moving enough, however, can cause injuries to your back, high blood pressure and even blood clots, depending on your health and family history. Movement also gets your blood…
Trucker Tools’ Market Index Report is a three times/week report that tells truckers like you where capacity will be most needed and where rates will declining in the coming week. Armed with this knowledge, you can get your truck(s) into hot markets in time to take advantage of high demand and rates — and avoid taking loads into areas where…
If you’re like most truckers, you struggle to keep your diet healthy and to find time to get in some exercise. What you may not know is that the average life expectancy for you as a trucker is 16 years less than it is for the rest of the population. It’s also true that the longer you work in the…
In today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report, you’ll see that demand for flatbed capacity will remain high in industrial and manufacturing centers across the nation over the next week. Reefer demand also will stay elevated for border and port cities. As expected, demand and rates for dry van have decreased in many areas, as we enter a post-holiday lull for…
As a trucker, you do more than drive a truck and trailer. You also have to be a smart businessperson. You have to find loads, track loads for brokers, manage your expenses, navigate traffic and weather, deal with damaged or lost freight, find parking and lots more. Having the right tools on hand helps you manage all of these responsibilities,…
January is traditionally a slow month for freight, following the Christmas and New Year holidays. This year, however, may be a bit different given the events of 2020 and the continuing Covid-19 pandemic. Rates and demand have cooled slightly, but not by as much as in previous Januarys. Outbound tender volumes remain relatively high. Today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report…
Happy New Year! As we turn the page on 2020 and enter our first week of the new year, Trucker Tools Market Index shows sustained demand for all types of capacity, but especially high demand for reefer. Outbound reefer tender rejection rates peaked at approximately 46 percent just before Christmas, and last week reefer rejection rates in some areas hit…
The Trucker Tools Market Index Report provides truckers and carriers like you with accurate information on where demand and rates are likely to be high in the next five to seven days. Our Market Index predicts capacity demand on a seven-day cycle, which gives you time to get your truck(s) into these hot markets to take advantage of high rates.…
We recently spoke with trucker health and fitness coach Mark Manera about his business, The Trucking Fitness Company, which helps truckers become more physically active. Mark and the co-owners of his company have launched an app and created an online health and fitness coaching system designed specifically for truckers. All of the exercises in the program can be done with…
Recently Prasad Gollapalli from Trucker Tools and Adrian Gonzalez from Adelante met to talk about: A recent survey of truckload carriers on the Trucker Tools Mobile Driver App, and what they identify as services, features and functions from brokers most important to them How today’s technologies can help small to mid-sized brokers punch above their weight and compete with the…
The needs and demands of both consumers and your shippers continue to evolve, which is why as a logistics provider, you have to continually reinvent yourself. What worked last year or a decade ago likely won’t be effective in today’s world of business. As the 2021 25th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study notes, “the future of an outsourced supply chain includes…
There’s never a dull moment in the trucking industry, that’s for sure. Blizzard and high winds warnings are in effect for the Interstate 29 corridor and portions of I-90 and I-94 in the Midwest. This storm is expected to move across the Midwest and Great Lakes into the Northeast tomorrow and into Friday. This incoming storm, as well as increased…
As we’ve seen this year, technology has led the way in giving companies greater adaptability and resiliency when markets are unpredictable. For freight brokerage and logistics companies like yours, the clearest path to greater resiliency and adaptability is digitization. When you use well-designed digital tools and platforms, you gain the ability to increase operational efficiency, scalability and profit margins, while…
Trucker Tools’ integration partnerships offer you greater efficiency, reduce your operational costs and simplify workflows in your freight brokerage/logistics business. We’re excited to announce that we’ve recently partnered with Tailwind Transportation Software, a company whose mission is to help carriers, brokers and 3PLs control the chaos that often accompanies running a transportation business. Our integration partnership with Tailwind makes it…
Trucker Tools’ three times/week Market Index Reports tell you exactly where to expect the highest demand and rates for flatbed, reefer, power only, van and other types of capacity over the next week. Our Market Index Report gives drivers and carriers like you the opportunity to take loads into these hot markets before they get hot, keeping you moving quality…
Why should you be reading every single one of Trucker Tools’ Market Index Reports? Simply put, our Market Index Reports help you stay ahead of rate and demand changes so that you can maximize your earnings. Instead of taking loads into markets where rates for reloads are low, check Trucker Tools’ Market Index Reports before you book your loads. Unlike…
Analysts and thought leaders in logistics are calling digital freight matching the big story of the year — and it’s easy to see why. Where traditional load boards come up short, digital freight matching shines. Trucker Tools’ digital freight matching uses machine learning technology and powerful algorithms to automatically match your open loads with the best available trucks from your…
It’s hard to believe it, but we’re nearing the end of 2020! With this being an even busier peak season than usual, many of you are running as many loads as you can right now to make up for the lull earlier in this roller coaster of a year. If you missed out on some of Trucker Tools’ November blogs…
Making your operations digital opens up a whole new world of possibilities for you as a logistics provider or freight broker. When you digitize your operations and reduce manual activities such as check calls, you do more than make your business more efficient and lower your operating costs. Digitization also provides tangible benefits to your current customers and helps you…
Chris Jolly cut his teeth in the transportation business at age 20 when he started working at a warehouse in Georgia. He spent four and a half years working at the warehouse, learning the ins and outs of the industry. Since then, Chris has worked in logistics sales and operations, and has held leadership roles with some of the biggest…
For truckers like you, peak shipping season really is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the season when many retailers record the bulk of their sales and when rates are often at their highest. Demand for truck capacity is even more intense than usual right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many manufacturers also have ramped up their…
Trucker Tools recently introduced an exciting new option for logistics companies and freight brokers: Broker Advantage. With Broker Advantage, you can communicate and share information with carriers and drivers via Trucker Tools’ free app for drivers and free carrier platform. When you opt in on Broker Advantage, you can create a “home page” for your company within the Trucker Tools…
Transportation is a complicated business with a lot of moving parts. As a logistics company or freight broker operating in today’s market, you need tools in place that allow you to access accurate information on demand, make informed decisions quickly and adapt to new market conditions as needed. The right digital tools help you foster long-standing, productive relationships with top-performing…
Knowing in advance where rates will be high over the next week can help you get your truck(s) into hot markets to capitalize on demand. That’s true whether you’re an owner operator or a trucking company. Trucker Tools’ Market Index Report does just that. Using the data from our broker software platforms and digital tools for drivers and carriers, we…
Choosing a technology partner and the right software for your business are big decisions. Your choices impact your employees, profit margins and ability to meet the expectations of your customers. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the questions we frequently get from logistics providers and freight brokers and answered them as honestly as possible. Whether you’re…
Now that you’ve recovered from the most unusual Thanksgiving ever (thanks, COVID), let’s get caught up. In our November blogs, we provided you with a list of the top 10 tools every 3PL and freight broker should be using to stay competitive. We also had some big partnership announcements, a blog featuring Henry Ford (sort of) and tips on why…
In today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report, you’ll find out which cities and regions will be hot or cold over the next five to seven day period. Our Market Index Report uses real-time load and transaction data from Trucker Tools’ broker software platforms, free carrier platform and driver app to predict where demand for trucks will highest in the coming…
“As truck drivers, we often don’t take our health seriously enough,” notes Kim Loescher, a company driver with Classic Carriers out of Ohio. “We’re on the road so much. We have to be aware of our health and we need to take it more seriously —and exercise and eating habits all play a role.” “As truck drivers, we often don’t…
Let’s face it — sometimes things don’t go as planned. Even your best laid plans can be ruined when something goes sideways. Perhaps your load is damaged in transport or your driver is involved in an accident. Maybe you’re the victim of a theft, a severe weather event or a mechanical failure that results in breakage. Losing a load or…
Today’s Trucker Tools Market Index Report gives you insight into which locations and markets will be hot or cold over the next five to seven day period. This Market Index Report is based on real-time load and transaction data pulled from Trucker Tools’ broker software platforms, free carrier platform and driver app. What makes our Market Index Report different from…
We recently had the pleasure of speaking to company driver Roni Bender, a mother of two and grandmom to one. After a career in customer service, Roni made the transition to trucking a few years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Roni is based in Nashville. She is an OTR driver with Schneider in the Southeast and is loving it.…
Chris Jolly has been around trucking his whole life. His father was a trucker for 35 years and after finishing high school, Chris moved away from his hometown and worked at a warehouse for several years. Eventually, Chris went to college and afterward, got into freight brokerage. For the last 10 years, Chris has held a variety of roles in…
Welcome to Trucker Tools’ Market Index Reports! This is the first edition of our new market index report that tells you which locations and markets will be hot or cold for truckers and carriers over the next five to seven days. All of us at Trucker Tools are excited about our new market index because of what it offers owner…
It takes time to get into markets where rates are high. By the time you get there, the rates in that region may have gone down. Trucker Tools’ new Market Report helps you get into hot markets faster and stay one step ahead of the competition. Our new market reports don’t tell you where rates and volumes are high right…
While he was in school studying to get his physical therapy degree, Mark Manera interned at a health clinic in Southern Missouri. During his internship, Mark saw many OTR truckers as patients who were struggling to exercise and eat healthy. The average life expectancy of a trucker is 16 years less than the rest of the population. Many of the…
It’s been quite a year, one that most of us could not have predicted. Earlier this year, Trucker Tools’ hosted webinars with a panel of seasoned analyst experts to discuss the state of the transportation industry and what to expect in the future. We recently brought back our panel of experts to talk about key takeaways from 2020 and what…
This series of blogs, Smart Capacity Broker Tips, provides practical guidance for freight brokers and logistics companies on using Trucker Tools’ Smart Capacity real-time carrier capacity and relationship management platform. Time to read: four minutes. When choosing the technology to use in your brokerage’s day-to-day operations, a solution’s ability to streamline manual tasks should be at the top of the…
Our team is always looking for new ways to help you out, whether you’re running a load or enjoying some well-deserved time off. Recently, we added a boat-load of new features to the Trucker Tools driver app to do just that: make your life easier. We’ve partnered with other companies in the trucking industry to bring you in-app options that…
Growing up, Kim Loescher’s father had his own construction company and Kim loved going to work with him, playing around with his trucks and moving his equipment. After a career in the medical field as an adult, Kim followed her dad into the trucking business. With help from her dad and studying on her own, Kim passed the CDL and…
Interest in and the use of digital freight matching has grown exponentially since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020. Never before have we seen a concept take over to such a degree. In years previous, technology innovation and adoption has followed a predictable pattern in this industry: individual companies adopt the technology and, if it’s a results-producing technology, popularity…
Are you looking for tips on choosing the right TMS or do you want to know what to expect in Q4 and beyond? Do you need a strategy for expanding your customer base and meeting your shippers’ load tracking requirements? Look no further! Trucker Tools’ October 2020 blogs have it all. In October, we made announcements about new partnerships with…
There are so many different tools and technologies that you can choose to use as a freight broker. These technologies can help you reduce your operational costs, while saving your shipper and carrier partners time and money. Technology-based tools are designed to reduce manual tasks, which allows you to change how you use your staff. You can let technology handle…
Wouldn’t you like to be able to see a broker’s loads, scan and send documents, learn about discounts and receive updates from that broker all in one place? That’s what Trucker Tools’ new Broker Advantage offers you. With Broker Advantage, brokers and 3PLs have a home page within the Trucker Tools’ free driver app where you can quickly get the…
The story of how Jovanic Bontemps’ Long Island-based trucking company, FR8UP Logistics, got started isn’t your typical one. Jovanic is an IT professional who, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, went all in on trucking. After hearing from his trucker friends about the high demand for reefer and van capacity, Jovanic launched his trucking company in July…
“With great risk comes great reward,” founding father Thomas Jefferson is purported to have said. In freight brokerage and logistics, risk certainly is an inherent part of doing business. When shippers put their cargo in your hands, you become responsible for their freight and its safe passage to its final destination. Trucker Tools is excited to announce a new partnership…
If you’re new to using the Trucker Tools driver app or if you’re a long-time user of our free driver app, you may have questions about how our app-based load tracking and load matching work. You also may want to know more about the driver app’s terms of use, privacy policies and whether or not brokers and logistics companies can…
There’s a famous quote that has been consistently attributed to Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” While it’s doubtful that Ford actually ever wrote or uttered these words, the idea is a powerful one. We all get used to doing things a certain way and…
In case you missed out, Trucker Tools’ October 2020 blogs brought big announcements about new features and tools in Trucker Tools’ free app for truckers. The Trucker Tools driver app’s new features include a new overnight and long-term truck parking reservation tool that lets you find, reserve and pay for parking right in the app. We also recently added a…
With truck capacity at historic lows as we head into the peak shipping season, you have to use every tool at your disposal to keep carriers “sticky” and moving your loads. After all, you can’t move loads without trucks, and owner operators and carriers are in high demand. As spot rates across the country continue to rise, the technology that…
Trucker Tools’ software integrations and technical partnerships are powerful because they simplify how you run your business, increase your operational efficiency and reduce repetitive manual tasks for your staff. Our integration partnership with M2M In Motion gives you another option for tracking loads, whether you’re a trucking company, broker or 3PL. Trucker Tools’ partnership with M2M In Motion allows you…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Leading provider of web-native transportation management software adds Trucker Tools real-time load tracking to all TMS subscription tiers Builds on earlier adoption of Trucker Tools Smart Capacity for real-time visibility into available truckload capacity, predictive freight matching Leverages Trucker Tools industry-leading Mobile Driver App for real-time, GPS-based updates on active loads; integration will feed real-time event data…
Trucker Tools is always looking for ways to help you while on the road. We’re excited to share that with the TruckPark and SecureSpace* integration, you will be able to find and reserve parking right from the Trucker Tools app. See below for instructions on how to use this feature with the Trucker Tools app. Step 1 Click on the…
Trucker Tools recently had the pleasure of speaking with trucking couple Lisa and Lee Schmitt. The Schmitts are owner operators based out of Wisconsin who run heavy haul. Lee has been a trucker since the 1980s, so he’s experienced all the ups and downs of the industry over the last 25+ years. After their kids left home a few years…
This year has been a tough one for many small businesses, including freight brokers and 3PLs. If you’re a broker or 3PL that’s on the small size, you may be struggling to match the service and perks that larger 3PLs and mega brokers can offer shippers and carriers. You also may be unable to pivot your business to meet the…
For Nashville native and mother of two Roni Bender, trucking offered an opportunity to travel all over the country and make a good living at the same time. After a career working in customer service for one of the country’s largest mobile phone companies, Roni got her CDL at Roadmaster Drivers School in Middleton, Tenn., two years ago. Today, Roni…
Finding safe and secure overnight truck parking has been a major problem for the trucking industry for more than a decade. Truck parking is a problem that has become even more difficult in recent years, as some states have shut down rest areas to reduce their costs. According to a recent survey by the Federal Highway Administration, the states currently…
Needs and times change, which is why we survey users of the Trucker Tools driver app several times each year. We recently surveyed those of you who use our driver app and free carrier platform to find out how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting how you do business. Most of you who responded to our survey are owner operators and…
Trucker Tools recently hosted a webinar, As Freight Comes Roaring Back, Are Brokers and Their Technology Ready?, featuring Craig Fuller, founder and CEO of FreightWaves, and Trucker Tools’ own CEO and founder, Prasad Gollapalli. In the webinar, we discussed where the freight brokerage market is right now and what to expect for the remainder of 2020. As part of the…
While it can’t solve every problem under the sun, technology can help you run a lean and highly efficient business that minimizes redundancies and maximizes profits. This year, we’ve seen just how powerful technology can be in the logistics and freight brokerage industries. During COVID-19, companies with digital operations have been better able to weather fluctuating demand and uneven truck…
At Trucker Tools, we’re never done. We’re constantly looking for new ways to help you simplify your life on the road, whether it’s making it easy for you to find and reserve overnight parking or helping you find the cheapest fuel on your route. That’s why we’ve partnered with TVC Pro-Driver to bring a new feature to Trucker Tools’ free…
Choosing a transportation management system is one of the biggest technology decisions you will make for your brokerage or logistics company. Getting the right TMS for your operations can mean the difference between growing your business and profit margins or continuing to tread water or even falling behind your competitors. A quality TMS can help you reduce your cost per…
This year has been all about adjustments and change. As we transition from summer into fall/winter, consumer spending is rebounding and volumes generally are up. At the same time, transportation capacity has fallen to record new lows. With all of these factors in play, our September 2020 blogs are focused on the big picture and how adjusting your strategy can…
When you’re at the end of a long day on the road, you want the peace of mind of having a safe place to park your rig for the night. The reality, though, is that finding overnight parking continues to be major problem. According to a DOT survey conducted a few years ago, 90 percent of truck drivers have problems…
Matson Logistics Partners with Trucker Tools for Shipment Visibility and Automated Truckload Booking
Strategic engagement improves precision, timeliness of shipment in-transit updates; streamlines transactions with carriers through Book-It-Now®, an automated, one-click booking tool RESTON, VA – OCTOBER 15, 2020 – Trucker Tools announced today that Matson Logistics has selected Trucker Tools’ app-based visibility solution to improve tracking latency and accuracy for truckload shipments, and the company’s automated Book It Now® feature for one-click…
Earlier this year, Trucker Tools launched a new Visibility Compliance Champions program to recognize top achievers of real-time visibility. The goal of this program is to honor those freight brokers and logistics providers who provide the highest levels of visibility they can with Trucker Tools’ real-time visibility platform. In this blog, we’re recognizing all those who have met or surpassed…
Shippers have endless options when it comes to moving their products: truckload, LTL, expedited, intermodal, air, rail, brokered or direct. As a freight broker or logistics provider, there are steps you can take to stand out to shippers and differentiate yourself from your competition. One of the best places to start is with real-time visibility because it continues to be…
The benefits of achieving greater operational efficiency in your freight brokerage are numerous and significant. Boosting efficiency allows you to shift your staffing resources away from manual tasks to relationship-building activities with shippers and carriers, which helps you grow your business. Operating more efficiently reduces your cost per load and maximizes your profit margins. It also can boost the volume…
There’s certainly never a dull moment in the trucking industry. If you’re like most owner operators and trucking companies, you’re adjusting to the new normal of 2020 and riding the current wave of demand for truck capacity. That means you’re busier than ever. With that in mind, we’ve put together a summary of our September 2020 blogs to get you…
If you’re like most truckers, finding parking, particularly safe and secure overnight parking, is an ongoing problem. On average, truckers spend about an hour each day looking for parking, which adds up to thousands of dollars of lost revenue in a given year. The good news is that you have a new, convenient way to find and reserve parking in…
In a JOC survey last year, more than half of the shippers who responded said that freight visibility is the greatest challenge that technology can address. A recent Gartner Wants and Needs Survey also ranked visibility as the highest priority in the supply chain and in an IHS Markit survey, only 15 percent of the shippers surveyed reported being very…
FreightWaves reported last week that outbound tender rejection rates are at 25 percent, meaning one in four loads are being rejected. The current capacity crunch is just the beginning of what’s expected to be one of the most intense peak shipping seasons in recent history. In a recent panel discussion at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ EDGE 2020…
As freight volumes continue to rise, you need a way to find loads quickly without wasting a lot of time and energy. If you want to make hay while the sun is shining, as the saying goes, know that you have other options beyond load boards. With Trucker Tools’ free driver app, you can quickly find loads with your favorite…
As Rick Mihelic of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency recently wrote in an article for the Commercial Carrier Journal, the only constant in the trucking industry is change. Rising consumer demand for home deliveries, emerging technologies, a fragmented capacity market and VC-funded start-ups are all shaping the evolution of trucking and logistics. Today, there’s a greater focus on…
Over the last 12 months, we’ve seen shippers place greater emphasis on using consistency and compliance metrics to measure success and monitor performance in the trucking sector. In addition to pick-up and delivery freight location data, many shippers are requiring load tracking data for stop points and in-transit, as well. Continuous load tracking updates and multiple load tracking data points…
If you want to reduce the carbon footprint of your trucking business, consider going digital with the help of Trucker Tools. Digitizing operations in your trucking business can be easy when you use free tools like Trucker Tools’ free driver app (or free carrier platform). With Trucker Tools’ driver app and free carrier platform, you have free access to digital…
We know you’re out there working hard on the road and don’t always have time to be at your computer or on your smart phone to read the latest Trucker Tools’ blogs. We’ve put together this summary of our August 2020 blogs to make sure that you don’t miss a thing. Our August blogs were packed with great tips and…
One of the best ways to keep your diet healthy and to save money when you’re on the road is to plan ahead when it comes to food and meals. Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated or take you a lot of time. It can be as simple as stocking your truck with healthy snacks, freezing meals to bring…
In early 2020 when COVID-19 was first declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization, every industry had to adapt to a new way of doing business, including the logistics industry. In the months since then, it’s become clear that the logistics industry has fundamentally been altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The volatility, fluctuating consumer demand and unpredictability that…
Trucker Tools’ digital freight matching and Book-It-Now® let you ditch load boards and the back-and-forth phone calls and emails with brokers, leaving you more time for making driving and making money. With Trucker Tools’ Book-It-Now® and digital freight matching, you have the power to find and book loads with your favorite brokers on your schedule, at times that are convenient…
Digital load matching uses technology to pair broker/shipper loads with available truck capacity. Digital load matching is gaining popularity with brokers, 3PLs, carriers and truckers alike because it’s much more effective and efficient than using load boards. When digital load matching software first made an appearance in the industry, it was only affordable to and used by mega brokers and…
To say it’s been a year of ups and downs would be an understatement! It’s been an especially challenging year for truckers, without a doubt. That’s why it’s so important to celebrate the hard work that you do each and every day. You bring food and medicines to all of us all around the country, keep our stores stocked with…
With truckload rates and consumer demand on the rise heading into autumn, finding quality truck capacity has become more challenging. If the increase in freight volume has you musing, “I need a load board – which one should I use?” you may be posing the wrong question. While load boards were the best way to find truck capacity several years…
It’s hard to believe, but another August is officially in the books! As summer turns into autumn, volume is picking up and many in the industry are trying to make up for time and revenue lost earlier in the year due to the initial outbreak of COVID-19. The pandemic certainly has impacted how freight brokers and logistics companies like yours…
Starting your own business is an exciting endeavor, filled with big decisions about how to build the foundation of your business. When it comes to starting your own freight brokerage, there’s certainly no handbook to follow or blueprint to reference, but there are key resources that you can draw upon for training, real-world advice and guidance from industry veterans. Trucker…
All of us here at Trucker Tools believe that any technology-based tool worth its salt has to be intuitive, easy to use and able to deliver on its promise of greater efficiency. We choose to partner with companies and vendors who hold these same values and strive to help logistics companies like yours achieve greater success. That is certainly true…
It’s official: the capacity crunch is here. After a dismal spring and volatile summer (thanks, pandemic), volumes are rebounding, which means capacity is tightening. Trucker Tools’ recently co-hosted a webinar with FreightWaves to discuss the best practices and strategies for brokers and 3PLs to use in a tightening market where trucks are harder to find. Special guest Tom Curee brought…
The future of freight brokerage is all about using technology to your advantage to reduce inefficiencies, while dedicating your human resources to shipper service. It makes sense. Why assign your staff members repetitive manual tasks that can be automated with technology? It makes better business sense to concentrate your human resources on relationship-building activities with shippers and carriers instead. Process…
With produce season in full swing, what better time than now to talk about hauling refrigerated freight! Trucker Tools recently chatted with owner operator Travis Griffin, an Air Force veteran and father of two who is based in Illinois and hauls reefer throughout the Midwest. During our conversation, Travis offered some great advice for truckers who are new to hauling…
Securing truck capacity can be one of the most time-consuming activities in your brokerage operations. If your staff members are posting to load boards, responding to messages and phone calls from carriers, and/or sending emails to carriers every day to find truck capacity, know that there is a better way. Trucker Tools’ Book-It-Now® is a load-booking automation tool that is…
You’ve recently completed your training and gotten your CDL. Way to go! There are lots of possibilities and potential for growth in your career. Lucky for you, we’ve interviewed dozens of seasoned and newbie owner operators over the last year who’ve offered their advice on how to start a trucking business and have a long-lasting, successful career as an owner…
In today’s unpredictable market, you have to make smart strategic decisions that position your freight brokerage business to be successful today and in the future, no matter what that future might look like. Though none of us can predict what the next year will bring, a great place to start is with maximizing your brokerage’s operational efficiency, automating manual tasks…
Trucker Tools is thrilled to introduce brokers and 3PLs to a new avenue for strengthening relationships with carriers with our new Broker Advantage portal. The purpose of Trucker Tools’ Brokerage Advantage portal is to create brand recognition for your brokerage/3PL with carriers through Trucker Tools’ free mobile app and carrier platform. Trucker Tools’ Broker Advantage is a white label interface…
It’s hard to believe it, but another July has come and gone! All of us at Trucker Tools hope the month was a good one for you and your brokerage and that you managed to squeeze in a little vacation time with your loved ones, as well. July was a busy month for us at Trucker Tools. Our July blogs…
Trucker Tools recently had the opportunity to speak with Grace Maher, OTR Capital’s Vice President and Director of Operations, about the company’s new integration partnership with Trucker Tools. In our conversation with Ms. Maher, we learned more about OTR Capital’s beginnings, the company’s focus on carrier service and success, and why Trucker Tools is the right partner for the organization.…
In June, Trucker Tools hosted a webinar panel discussion on Strategies for Brokers on Surviving the Current Market and Thriving in Recovery with Bill Cassidy of JOC, John Schulz of Logistics Management Magazine and Avery Vise of FTR Transportation Intelligence. The discussion was moderated by Trucker Tools’ CEO and founder, Prasad Gollapalli and centered on the challenges brokers were facing…
With regions across the country breaking high temperature records this summer, running produce has never been more challenging. We recently talked to owner operator and veteran reefer driver Tamara Spivey about best practices for hauling refrigerated cargo and how to ensure that the load arrives in good condition. Tamara offered us these tips for hauling produce during this hot summer…
As the trucking market heats up as we head into fall, you’re no doubt looking to capitalize on the demand for trucks and make up for lost time. If your first thought is, “I need a load board — what should I use?” we want to stop you there. The truth is that load boards aren’t the best way for…
Secures registered trademark for truckload industry’s first one-click, automated load booking and confirmation service; enhances trucker engagement with multiple brokers. Smartphone-based app speeds transactions, streamlines workflow for owner-operators, small fleets; reduces time and cost for brokers to cover loads RESTON, VA – AUGUST 24, 2020 – Trucker Tools today announced that it has secured a registered trademark for “Book-It-Now®” as…
After a stint in the United States Air Force in vehicle operations, Milwaukee native Travis Griffin got his CDL and went over-the-road, working for several big names in the trucking industry over the course of his career. Today, Travis is an owner operator who drives his customized Freightliner on a dedicated account in the Midwest for Hirschbach Motor Lines, mainly…
As we head into the end of the summer and get ready for back-to-school and the holidays, things are looking up in the world of trucking. Rates generally are rising and so is demand and that’s great news after a difficult start to 2020. If you’re looking to make the most of this uptick in demand and capitalize on the…
It’s official: the truck capacity crunch is here. Over the last several weeks, we’ve seen rates and demand rise, with outbound tender rejection rates reaching an annual high last week. As a freight broker or logistics provider, a tightening capacity market means you have to move quickly to find and secure the best available truck capacity for your shippers. It…
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that brokers who leverage the latest technology to their advantage are better able to adapt to uneven demand and market volatility. One of the greatest advantages that technology can offer your brokerage is greater operational efficiency. When your brokerage runs as efficiently as possible, your staff members can focus on shipper…
We know you want to save time and maximize your revenue, but that you’re also short on time. That’s why we’ll make this quick. Trucker Tools’ Book-It-Now® is all about saving you time and keeping those wheels moving. Check out the top three reasons why you should be using Trucker Tools’ Book-It-Now®. 1. Book-It-Now® Saves Time Spending hours on load…
All of us at Trucker Tools hope you’re enjoying your summer and that you’re getting in a least a little R&R with friends and loved ones during this busy season. In case you missed it, we had some fantastic blogs in July featuring interviews with real truckers from all over the country. From Rob Moore’s heavy haul tips and Hazmat…
At Trucker Tools, we’re all about giving you options that make your life easier. That’s why we’re happy to offer ELD integration to trucking companies that prefer to use ELDs for load tracking purposes. Enabling ELD tracking with Trucker Tools is a quick and easy process for you and your staff, but the benefits are big. Tracking a load digitally…
Leading third-party logistics provider bolsters digital freight management resources, gains real-time access to available truckload capacity, improves carrier engagement, shipper responsiveness. RESTON, VA and KNOXVILLE, TN – AUGUST 13, 2020 – Trucker Tools today announced that Axle Logistics is incorporating more of the company’s digital freight management tools, adding Smart Capacity® predictive freight-matching and carrier relationship management to its current…
For Sara Buggs, who grew up in rural Tennessee, getting a CDL and going OTR had always been a lifelong dream. Sara’s great uncle was a trucker and when she was a young child, he would come visit her when he was in town and let her sit in his truck. She loved sitting in her uncle’s rig back then…
Trucker Tools recently got the chance to talk with Aaron Dunn, co-host of PDQ America’s Trucking For Millennials podcast. We chatted with Aaron about how Millennial truckers are different from other generations of truckers and what Millennial truckers are doing to adapt to changes in the market. Aaron also shared what it’s like to be preparing for the Certified Transportation…
Trucker Tools had recently attended the FreightWaves virtual 3PL Summit. During the summit, we were able to connect with many existing clients and answer any questions from prospects around our products. We are always happy to showcase all the benefits and business results our clients see when working with us. Outside of meeting us in the virtual booth, we hosted…
Change is hard. We all get used to doing something a certain way and don’t want to take the time to consider other options. But sometimes, you need to take a look around and see if there’s technology out there that can really take your business to the next level and save time and money— and that time is now.…
In trucking, it’s no secret that time is our most valuable resource. If you shave a few minutes off the time it takes you to do something, that time eventually adds up and you’ve got more drive time. More drive time means more time for making money. That’s why Kingsgate Logistics has teamed up with Trucker Tools. The Trucker Tools…
For Candor Expedite, a full-service logistics provider specializing in expedited services, real-time visibility is essential. Offering hotshot ground services, time sensitive truckload and white glove special services, as well as reefer, truckload and LTL to shippers, Candor Expedite is committed to a 99 percent on-time delivery rate. However, the company struggled over the last two years to get two different…
If you’re a veteran of the transportation industry, you know that the freight market ebbs and flows. Rates and the availability of trucks fluctuate throughout the year based on demand. If you’ve been working in this business for any length of time, you also know that when demand goes up, it takes time for truck capacity to match demand. During…
Alliance brings TVC Pro-Driver to the multi-functional Trucker Tools Mobile Driver App, providing access to trucker-focused legal services, fuel discounts, roadside assistance and more. RESTON, VA and OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – AUGUST 4, 2020 – Trucker Tools today announced a new partnership with TVC Pro-Driver that will provide access to legal representation and other services for independent truckers directly through…
The demand for continuous, real-time freight visibility certainly hasn’t diminished in 2020. If anything, the need for and value of load tracking has increased as every segment of the supply chain looks for a competitive advantage while trying to weather recent market disruptions. If you oversee operations in your brokerage, finding the freight visibility tool that meets your brokerage’s specific…
As a trucker, your goal is to keep your truck fully loaded all the time. You never want your truck to be idle. You want to move more loads and do it quickly. But if you’re an owner operator or a fleet owner using load boards to find loads, you’re missing out on an opportunity to increase your revenue and…
Owner operator and bulk hazmat trucker Gabrielle Simmons recently took time out from trucking to chat with us about what her first two years as an owner operator have been like. Gabrielle spoke to us about the challenges she and other truckers are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic and how she’d wanted to become a trucker since she was 18…
For some truckers, being a company driver is just one stop on their trucking journey, for others, it’s a life-long career. Many owner operators start out as company drivers and then, for one reason or another, opt to go out on their own. We recently spoke with Tamara Spivey about her career in trucking in how and why she transitioned…
Despite recent advances in AI and machine learning-driven technology, operational inefficiencies still abound in the supply chain. These inefficiencies collectively cost us trillions of dollars each year. If you’re wondering what are the inefficiencies that still exist in the supply chain, there are many. Poor supply chain visibility, an over-dependence on manual processes and the inability to quickly draw meaningful…
We love talking to truckers and learning about tricks and tips for making life on the road easier. In our recent conversation with owner operator Rob Moore, we learned just how much money you can save as a trucker when you do simple repairs to your truck yourself. Rob also shared why he got into trucking in the first place…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Trucker Tools Adds Ryder Freight Brokerage to its Digital Carrier Engagement Platform Brokerage division integrates industry-leading Trucker Tools Book It Now® to automate load booking and streamline workflow for owner-operators and small fleets. Launches real-time visibility into available capacity and predictive freight-matching; enhances load-match speed and accuracy, broker productivity and carrier satisfaction; expands capacity choices at competitive…
Most of us love the Where’s Waldo? books, but let’s face it: Where’s Waldo? is not a great approach for your logistics business. If you’re having the Where’s Waldo? experience when it comes to load tracking or finding truck capacity, know that there’s a better way. Tracking loads and finding trucks doesn’t have to feel like looking for a needle…
It’s no secret that freight visibility is a top priority for shippers. American Shipper’s comprehensive Benchmark Visibility Study found that shippers rely on visibility primarily to monitor their shipments, but also for business intelligence and decision-making purposes. As freight visibility has become increasingly important to shippers, it’s become a critical core service offering for both freight brokers and logistics providers.…
Happy Summer! It’s July, which means that we’re more than halfway through 2020, which is hard to believe. It’s been a roller coaster of a few months and we don’t blame you if you missed out on a few Trucker Tools blogs last month. This June Link Roundup gives you quick nuggets of wisdom and news from our favorite blogs…
Trucker Tools is pleased to announce that we’re partnering with Omnitracs to bring you a platform integration that simplifies how you track loads. The integration between Trucker Tool’s real-time visibility platform and Omnitracs ELDs allows you to view truck locations in real-time, without ever needing to pick up the phone or open a new software program. With this integration, location…
Say hello to Sara Buggs, a first-year trucker based out of Knoxville, Tenn., who achieved her life-long dream of becoming a trucker in December of 2019. Sara got her start in trucking at 41 as a Hazmat driver with Skyline Transportation and today drives dry van. She absolutely loves her new career in trucking and is a big fan of…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Expanded collaboration integrates advanced capacity management and automated booking tools into TMS operating platform; significantly reduces cost to cover loads, improves driver productivity, engagement and support. Builds on earlier adoption of Trucker Tools solution for automated, app-based GPS load tracking. RESTON, VA and PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 15, 2020 – Trucker Tools announced today that ARL Logistics,…
As an owner operator, keeping your operating expenses low lets you keep more of your hard-earned money in your bank account — and that’s always a win. Trucker Tools recently spent some time getting to know owner operator and Redneckanize co-founder Rob Moore, who also happens to be a former mechanic. In our conversation with Rob, he shared how doing…
It’s July, which means that summer is in full-swing. That also means that you may not be at your desk or computer as much as you usually are and you may have missed out on some of our June blogs. Never fear, the June Monthly Link Roundup is here! Our June blogs run the gamut, from exciting announcements about our…
At Trucker Tools, we understand just how important freight visibility is to your brokerage business. When you have real time, digital visibility of the freight you broker, you can provide a better experience and greater value to your shippers. Digital, real-time freight visibility also increases the efficiency of your own operations, which is good news for your bottom line. Real-time…
Company integrates additional time-saving digital freight management tools into flagship StrategyLive TMS platform. Provides one-click automated load booking and confirmation; speeds transactions, streamlines workflow for owner-operators, small fleets; reduces time, cost for brokers to cover loads Complements previous integrations of Trucker Tools Smart Capacity for predictive freight-matching and visibility solution for automated, app-based GPS load tracking Leverages Trucker Tools mobile…