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how to find a freight carrier

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Commonly Used Freight Terms from A to Z

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Table of contents

How To Find a Freight Carrier

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You typically find a freight carrier (an entity specializing in transporting freight from one location to another) by searching for available loads. Two options do it. One is calling multiple carriers and running freight quotes across various websites. Search load boards and post your freight with the details of your shipment.

Freight haulers (aka freight carriers) are companies or people who directly handle your shipment. They may use a truck, train, vessel (boat), or even an airplane. If you are shipping Less Than Truckload (LTL) or international freight, several carriers may handle & transfer your shipment. For some shipments, you might hire either a freight broker or a freight carrier. These are companies that contract with a group of carriers in their own network. As a result, arrange the shipment of your freight.

Seasonal Shipping

You may find booking a freight shipment becomes easier and or harder as the time of the year changes. Winter Season brings a slow down for many companies. Naturally, the spring season brings companies back into action. 3rd Party companies however, tend to be available for you year round. We here at FreightCenter are always happy to assist.

You do have ways to prepare for the winter season. Always prepare for slowdowns due to the yearly snow season. You may not need to if starting down south in Florida. However, would need to keep the destination’s location in mind. Label protection is another thing to prepare for. The season can easily cause water damage to your label, so protection is a must to make sure that it remains scannable.

Load Boards

Another option to find a suitable carrier is to source truck freight load boards. Resulting in where carriers are searching for available loads. The great thing about load boards is you can post your freight with specific details. Some examples are location, date, and load details that will ensure interested freight carriers will inquire. Of course, load boards are not free to access. So, if you’re only shipping once, then it’s not worth the hassle. The other problem with this might be that you either underbid on the load and get no takers or overbid and get too many options. Thus wasting valuable time and resources.

Freight Systems

You may be wondering which type of truckload would be best. First, your item, amount, and sizes matter most. LTL is freight, where you only pay for the capacity of your shipments within the truck. In comparison, a full truckload is exactly what it sounds like. (TL) freights are always a full truckload. You must take up all of the physical storage space possible. Otherwise, you would have to pay for the empty space that your shipment blocks.

You always want to choose the right carrier for the right reasons. For LTL carriers, some specialize in rarely touched cargo, while another offers deals on certain routes. In contrast, TL carriers operate the other way around. You or your 3PL, such as FreightCenter, post your shipment onto a network. A TL carrier would then see the details for your shipment, decide on their best truck for the shipment, and set up the final details. Occasionally, due to capacity issues, the TL carrier ends up not agreeing to ship to the original estimated cost. We here at Freight Center shall always be happy to assist you in finding both the best carrier and the best cost.

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Why Choose FreightCenter For TL Shipping Services?

We are an award-winning logistics company and an American veteran-owned business. We bring a lot to the table when it comes to truckload services. Our history, competitive pricing, and level of service are unmatched in the industry. Over the years and many miles, we have formed a dedicated and respected network of partners in the industry to help customers meet deadlines.

Our mission is to meet and exceed customer expectations in all that we do. We take care of truckload freight shipping from pickup to delivery. Excellent customer service is our hallmark, and it goes a long way in building a relationship of trust. When customers select FreightCenter to handle their truckload freight shipment, they trust us to do the job.

FreightCenter by the numbers
25 Years In Business
1m+ Shipments Booked
93%+ On-Time Performance
99.1% Damage Free Shipments

FreightCenter

FreightCenter assists shippers by helping them determine freight class. We find the best carrier for their needs and move their cargo at the best available rate. We here at FreightCenter have been around since 1998. We’ve assisted in calculating the freight class for many years and many wonderful companies. As a result, we are always happy to assist in calculating shipments both within the U.S. and around the world.

FreightCenter helps shippers avoid this time-consuming process by finding the best carrier for their needs in order to move their cargo at the best available rate. Our free freight quote tool provides shippers with instant access to freight rates from dozens of top freight carriers. This helps shippers find the best rate available by analyzing all available carriers and routes for their shipment, and you won’t even need to provide too much info. What would be needed are the postal codes of both the pickup and drop-off locations. In addition, the facility types of each location, along with the dimensions of your shipment. You shall be able to compare LTL rates and get the best one possible for your shipment.

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How To Find A Freight Carrier Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.

FAQ For How to Find A Freight Carrier

Q. Why do I need a freight carrier?

A.

Freight carriers are essential for businesses needing to move products or goods. They ensure that shipments are transported efficiently.

Q. How do I choose the right carrier for my needs?

A.

Working with FreightCenter allows you to explore different carriers at the best rates. You can use our platform to get a quote.

Q. What factors affect freight rates?

A.

Distance, size, weight, destination, and special handling can affect freight rates.

Advantages

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Expert Support

FreightCenter's team is available to assist you with any questions or issues.

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Reliability and Trust

FreightCenter has built a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness in the logistics industry. Partnering with them gives you confidence that your shipments will be handled professionally and delivered on time.

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Real-Time Tracking

FreightCenter's tracking tools allow you to monitor your shipments in real-time. This visibility helps you stay informed about the status of your deliveries and manage any potential issues.

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