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If you’re tired of endless searches and wasted hours trying to find the perfect load for your step van, your search ends here. Welcome to the ultimate solution: the Loadboard for Step Vans. Get ready to take control of your business, streamline your operations, and maximize your profits like never before. Say goodbye to uncertainty and inefficiency – it’s time to revolutionize the way you find and secure step van loads. Get ready to choose the load board that works best for your step van.
1. DAT
9.8/10
DAT is one of the largest load boards in the industry. It offers a variety of features for step van carriers, including access to a large number of loads, real-time market data, and tools to help you manage your business.
- Has one of the largest load boards in the industry, with over 1 million loads available each day.
- Provides real-time market data, so you can see what rates other carriers are charging for similar loads.
- Offers a variety of tools to help you manage your business, such as load planning, rate negotiation, and payment tracking.
- Charges commission fees on all loads booked through its platform.
- Has a rating system that determines which carriers are eligible to bid on certain loads.
- Comes with a risk of non-payment or payment disputes when working with unfamiliar brokers or shippers.
- Exposes you to potential unsolicited communications or marketing, especially when you share your contact information and details on a public platform.
- Find Loads: DAT Load Board matches for your business – no matter where you are. It provides access to the tools and data that can get you the load you want at the price you need, including market data, credit scores, reviews, and more.
- Load Board for Carriers: DAT has the best load board for carriers, with the most loads available and the best tools for negotiating rates. For every lane, it offers a rate history for the past 13 months, plus freight trends and demand indexes.
- Detailed Listings: DAT offers the most detailed, complete freight matching service to find the best loads possible. Thanks to its daily posting of over 1 million loads, DAT’s load board offers the most complete picture of loads in your area.
- Broker Information: Once you subscribe to DAT, you can access broker information to make sure you’re dealing with reliable, high-quality clients. Your DAT subscription lets you view credit scores, user reviews, and average day-to-pay rates for brokers to help you avoid untrustworthy clients.
- Mobile App: With a convenient mobile app, you can use DAT on the go.
2. TruckSmarter
9.6/10
This is a free load board that combines every available load in one place. It allows you to compare 100,000+ high-quality truckloads per day, and book directly in the free app.
- Offers free load board for truck drivers, owner-operators, carriers, and dispatchers.
- Handles all of the billing and collections for you, so you can focus on driving and making money.
- Assists in reducing your administrative work by handling things like invoice processing and tracking.
- Helps to mitigate your risk by providing you with immediate payment for your invoices.
- Offers same-day payments for loads, which can help you improve your cash flow.
- Charges fees for some of its services, such as freight factoring and same-day payments.
- Demands some credit requirements for some of its services.
- Lacks dispatch service or schedule optimizer.
- Offers a lesser load than some competitors.
- Free load board: TruckSmarter’s load board is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees or commissions.
- Transparent rates: TruckSmarter’s load board shows the rates per mile for each load, so you can be sure you’re getting the best price.
- Instant booking: You can book loads instantly on TruckSmarter, without having to go through a broker.
- Fuel savings: TruckSmarter partners with fuel companies to offer instant fuel discounts along your route.
- Same-day payments: TruckSmarter offers same-day payments for each load, so you can get paid quickly and easily.
>>>MORE: DAT Load Board vs Truckstop
3. Truckstop
9.5/10
Truckstop offers a load board for step decks with advanced search and filter capabilities to help you find step deck loads with ease, speed, and flexibility.
- Has a large network of users which makes it a good place to find loads for trucks.
- Provides an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to find the information you need.
- Offers competitive pricing on its services, including fuel and parking.
- Takes security seriously and offers a variety of features to protect its users, such as fraud protection and 24/7 customer support.
- Charges fees for some of its services, such as posting loads or using the fuel card.
- Poses a risk of non-payment or payment disputes when working with unfamiliar brokers or shippers.
- Has reports of safety concerns at some truck stops, such as crime and drugs.
- Large database of loads: Truckstop has an up-to-date large database of loads which means you can find loads that match your needs quickly and easily.
- Real-time pricing: Truckstop provides real-time pricing for loads, so you can see the latest rates and make informed decisions about which loads to accept.
- Messaging and tracking: Truckstop allows you and brokers to communicate with each other directly through the platform. This makes it easy to coordinate loads and track shipments.
- Payment processing: Truckstop offers payment processing services, so you can receive your payment quickly and easily for your loads.
4. 123Loadboards
9.3/10
123Loadboard is a load board marketplace that connects truckers with loads. It is an online platform where truckers can search for available loads, and shippers can post their freight requirements.
- Simplifies how users find and post loads.
- Includes decision tools that gauge negotiation strength with truck-to-load ratio and activity by origin and destination so you can negotiate better rates.
- Has a pretty user-friendly and straightforward interface for people new to logistics.
- Offers a wide range of load listings, providing carriers with a variety of options to choose from.
- Provides advanced search filters, allowing carriers to narrow down their search based on specific criteria such as location, type of cargo, and payment terms.
- Offers a free plan that comes with limited features.
- Focuses on the North American market, so it may not be suitable for carriers looking for international loads.
- Powerful search engine: This allows you to search for loads by location, commodity, equipment type, and other criteria
- Load Alerts: You can create load alerts to receive real-time notifications. Inform brokers and shippers about the equipment type you have available for hauling freight, where you are hauling from, and which lane route you prefer to run.
- Load Planner: Plan your trip route with Load Planner. Select your trip starting point, your equipment type, and the dates to start and end your trip. Search and select the loads you prefer. Check the credit rating and reviews of the broker.
- Rate Check: Check the load payment rate against Rate Check. The rate guides you to negotiate with the broker a fair wage before you complete the broker package to become an approved carrier.
- Quick Pay: Fund your load with quick pay and fuel advances. Lots of brokers and shippers have great freight but just don‘t offer a fuel advance option. That‘s where their factoring partner can help.
- Fuel Card: Save at the pump and reduce your expenses. 123Loadboard’s free Fuel Card for your trucking business is a great way to reduce overall expenses by allowing you to purchase fuel at highly discounted prices below the cash price.
5. Trulos
9.0/10
Trulos load board is a free load board that allows shippers and carriers to connect to find and book freight. It provides various services including Truckload Search, Partial Freight, Freight with Rates, and more.
- Allows users to search by zip code for local results.
- Provides freight forecasts to calculate fuel usage for routes.
- Requires no signup process to start.
- Offers some amazing tools for free, such as a Mileage Tool, Freight Forecasting, etc.
- Provides quick and convenient access to available loads and available trucks.
- Lacks a mobile app which could limit accessibility for some users.
- Faces serious competition in the market.
- Allows you to find freight super easy and fast. It serves carriers, shippers, and freight brokers.
- Has a separate section for LTL and partial truckloads. This LTL truckload board only shows partial freight.
- Has a truckload board that only shows live freight with rates.
- Provides lots of information about trucking and life on the road.
Overview of Load Boards for Step Vans
Keep in mind that load boards for step vans are online platforms where businesses and owner-operators can find and post available freight jobs for step vans. The interesting thing is that they streamline the process of connecting shippers and carriers, helping ensure efficient and cost-effective transport of goods. These platforms often provide essential details like load type, location, and compensation, facilitating logistics for step van drivers.
How to Choose Load Boards for Step Vans

When choosing load boards for step vans, prioritize those tailored to your vehicle’s size and capabilities. Look for platforms with user-friendly interfaces and mobile apps for on-the-go access. Ensure they offer a wide range of freight types and locations, allowing you to find suitable loads easily. Consider load board reputation, checking reviews, and asking for recommendations from fellow step van operators. Evaluate subscription costs and fees, as they can vary widely. Don’t forget to opt for load boards with reliable customer support to address any issues swiftly. Balancing these factors can help you efficiently find and secure loads for your step van business.
>>>PRO TIPS: Trulos Load Board Review
Pros and Cons of Load Boards for Step Vans
Pros
- Provides a vast marketplace where you can find available freight loads quickly and easily, helping you keep your step van busy and profitable.
- Offers a wide range of loads, including local, regional, and long-haul, giving you flexibility in choosing the type of work that suits your needs.
- Allows you to bid on loads or negotiate rates, potentially securing higher pay for your services.
- Enables you to select loads that align with your preferences and schedule to gain autonomy.
Cons
- Requires high competition for available loads.
- Charge subscription fees or take a percentage of your earnings, which can reduce your overall profit margin.
- Requires a reliable internet connection and familiarity with online tools, which may not be suitable for everyone.
What to Watch Out For
When selecting a load board for step vans, consider factors like user-friendliness, coverage, and cost. Ensure it provides a wide range of relevant loads, offers real-time updates, and has a transparent pricing structure. Check for user reviews and testimonials to gauge its reliability. Also, verify if it integrates with your existing logistics software. Lastly, prioritize load boards with responsive customer support to assist with any issues that may arise.
Pro Tips
- Specify your vehicle type when searching for loads on load boards.
- Use filters to narrow down your search results.
- Check Load Details including the pick-up and delivery locations, weight, dimensions, and any special requirements.
- Check the payment terms and negotiate rates if necessary.
- Clarify expectations, delivery windows, and any specific instructions with the shipper or broker before accepting a load.
- Use route planning tools to find the most efficient routes for your step van.
- Utilize tracking and visibility tools to keep tabs on your loads in real time.
Recap
A loadboard for step vans is a digital platform connecting shippers with step van owners for efficient cargo transport. It streamlines the process, allowing businesses to post freight loads while providing step van operators with access to available jobs. With real-time updates and user-friendly interfaces, this service optimizes logistics and boosts productivity in the step van industry.