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Ready to start using a DAT Load Board, but not sure on how to find the best loads for your truck?
Look no further, we’re going to give you some tips and tricks on how to find the best loads using DAT Power and/or DAT Truckers Edge.
The same strategies apply to other load boards as well and are guaranteed to help you find the best loads for your Dry Van, Reefer and/or Flatbed.
Get ready to read and learn Tips For Beginners To Find The Best Loads Using DAT Load Board!
Make sure to define your search and double check that everything is correct.
The first thing you’re going to want to do is define your search. This may seem like a no brainer, but it’s a step that a lot of people overlook.
Make sure to double check EVERYTHING! Lots of people that are new to load boards forget to double check their search. This can cause major problems for you and for the brokers/clients that you work with.
Double check the date, the city of origin and the destination. Many states have cities with the same names. There’s nothing worse than booking a load, only to realize that the pickup date is actually for tomorrow. Mistakes like this should not happen.
It’s better to search multiple states in the destination box.
Does the driver want to go to a specific state?
This can greatly influence the types of loads that you’ll be able to find.
If this is the case then you’ll have to write the state in the Destination section. We use this option, if the weekend is approaching and the driver has to get home. This is also a good option if you need to get to a great paying load.
It’s better to search multiple states at once. Just write the abbreviation for each state that you want. You can search using DAT Zones. Dat Zones are posted below and you write them as, Z0, Z1, Z2, etc.
Set an alarm!
DAT Load Board offers users an alarm feature which will sound off anytime a new load appears for your search.
This is a great tool to use when the market is saturated and you can’t find any load for a specific area.
Make sure to turn off the alarm after you’ve found the load. There’s nothing more annoying than the sound the alarm makes.
Truck is in a saturated market and no good loads are available? Just organize results by Age.
This tip is great if you’re in a market with too many trucks and not enough loads.
Here’s an example. Your truck is empty and ready to roll in Dallas, but you just can’t find him any load. You call on a load only to hear the famous words, “sorry, the load just got booked a second ago”.
If you find yourself in this situation, then define your search according to the Age of the load. Just click Age in the top left corner of the page, and all the results will appear as soon as they come up.
In saturated markets, good loads go fast. This gives you a fighting chance to be the first to jump on a load.
Just remember, that if the market is too saturated, don’t try negotiating too much. You’ll find yourself without a load because you wanted to negotiate.
This strategy works even better when you search by Age and you limit the DHO (Dead Head Origin) to around 80 miles. By bringing the radius down to 80 miles you’ll find the best loads that your driver can get to within 2 hours.
Driver is getting unloaded later in the day? Find him a load in the morning, not later in the day.
A rookie mistake when it comes to truck dispatch is to have a driver that is getting unloaded in the afternoon and to wait until the afternoon comes around to find him a load.
Don’t do it!
You’re setting yourself up for failure if you work this way. A majority of the time, the best loads are posted at the beginning of the day when brokers get into the office, around 07:00 – 08:00 EST.
There are plenty of loads that are posted early in the morning that have late pickup appointments, or open windows that can go into the night.
If your driver is getting unloaded in the afternoon, make sure you get him a load in the morning, so that you respect his time and yours.
Broker canceled a load? Don’t get caught up in any drama!
What do you do when a broker cancels a load on you? You can cry a river, call the broker and cuss him out, or you can be a professional and realize that his is part of the game and get your driver a new load.
Many beginners that start working as a truck dispatcher get caught up in the dramas that can go on with brokers. Take our advice, move on and don’t even think twice.
If you feel that something is fishy, then you’re probably right. If you haven’t received a rate confirmation, then you are not on the load.
Conclusion
All right folks, that’s all for Tips For Beginners To Find The Best Loads Using DAT Load Board.
This was written with beginners in mind. We will be coming out with Edition 2, shortly.
This blog will also be hosting articles on various topics that have to deal with truck dispatch.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to truck dispatch just send as an e-mail at office@ninjadispatch.com. Or if you’re an owner operator or truck fleet owner looking for a professional dispatch service, then feel free to contact us toll free at 1-(888)-853-4778.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to share in the box below.
