When it comes to transporting over the road cargo, picking the best trucking company is like choosing the right wingman for a night out—critical for success and essential for cargo loss prevention. Picking the best trucking company for the job will also prevent double brokering freight, which is a problem all shippers and brokers want to avoid.
Here’s a short, but resourceful guide for shippers and freight brokers to ask the right questions ensuring on time delivery by your selected OTR trucking company.
1. Understanding The Services that Trucking Companies Offer
Types of Freight Services Offered
Is the carrier an LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) or FTL (Full Truckload) expert? Maybe the trucking company handles refrigerated goods or hazardous materials? Knowing the specialties of a carrier and their performance can save both shippers and brokers from a lot of headaches. Also make sure that the carrier is not a dispatcher or a freight broker disguised as a carrier.
- add something about compare the trucking company’s answer to the details on carrier assure, like the fleet details. e.g. Carrier says it is a full truckload carrier but you see on Carrier Assure that it only has straight trucks or pick up trucks.
Coverage Area of a Carrier
Is it a local trucking company or do they operate nationally or even internationally? Check for OTR route limitations and extra charges for remote destinations. Review Carrier Assure’s map feature to see the trucking company’s inspection history and analyze whether the lane of your shipment matches the carrier’s history.
Unless you’re cool with your shipment taking a detour to Timbuktu, make sure their coverage matches your needs.
2. Evaluating Carrier Performance with Carrier Ratings
Track Record and Reputation
Research DOT FMCSA safer report history and as well as trucking company reviews. Awards and accolades are nice, but real-world over the road performance is key. Take the time to read the carrier reviews, that might help solidify a decision for a shipper or broker.
On-Time Delivery Rates
Ask about on-time delivery and on-time performance. Consistent delays could mean disaster for your schedule.
3. Assessing the Capacity and Flexibility of a Trucking Company
Over the Road Truck Fleet Size and Equipment
Inquire about the trucking company’s fleet—size, types of vehicles, safety, and maintenance routines. Does their fleet look like it’s straight out of a junkyard, or located in an empty parking lot? That’s a red flag!
Scalability
Can the carrier handle peak seasons or sudden demand spikes? Flexibility is key.If they can’t handle a last-minute cargo shipment without turning into a circus act, you might be in trouble. Even top owner operator trucking companies might not be able to scale the way you need them to.
4. Analyzing The Pricing and Payment Terms of a Trucking Company
Pricing Structure
Understand how a carrier charges fees — distance, weight, volume — and any hidden fees. Make sure their pricing isn’t as unpredictable as a lottery game. You don’t want to get hit with surprise fees that could cost you an arm and a leg.
Payment Terms
Discuss payment methods and credit terms. Good terms can help manage your cash flow.
5. Ensuring Trucking Company Safety and Compliance
Safety Records
Check their accident rates and safety certifications. Your cargo’s safety is paramount. Data from the DOT FMCSA (federal motor carrier safety administration) safer reports can help make an informed decision on carrier vetting.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensure the trucking company meets all federal and state regulations and has the necessary licenses. Make sure they’re not just ‘winging it’ when it comes to trucking compliance—unless you want to deal with a hefty fine.
6. Investigating the Technology and Tracking Capabilities of a Trucking Company
Tracking Systems & Integration.
Ask about their real-time tracking and GPS accuracy. Can their technology integrate with your freight broker logistics software?
7. Evaluating Customer Service and Support of a Carrier
Communication Channels
Check how accessible and responsive their customer service is.
Dispute Resolution
Understand their process for handling claims and disputes. If the carrier’s idea of dispute resolution involves passing the buck, prepare for a long and frustrating journey.
How Carrier Assure Can Help You Identify The Best Trucking Companies
Carrier selection can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s what makes our carrier compliance software an essential tool in any shipper and freight broker’s arsenal. Our monitoring software simplifies the carrier vetting and selection process by providing a clear, predictive score on how well a carrier will handle your shipments.
What Our Carrier Compliance Software Does
Carrier Assure is the first trucking company performance scoring and rating software that uses data science to anticipate how a carrier will perform. We analyze hundreds of thousands of trucking companies to produce an easy-to-understand score, so you don’t have to waste time digging through dense websites or outdated DOT FMCSA safer reports.
Why Subscribe to Carrier Assure’s Carrier Compliance Software?
- Comprehensive Carrier Analysis: We gather and analyze data directly from the DOT FMCSA safer reports, Project 44, and other reliable sources.
- Predictive Scoring: Our algorithms review data and generate a rating which predicts the performance of a trucking company, helping the shipper or freight broker make informed decisions quickly.
- Time-Saving: Forget hours of laborious trucking company research—Carrier Assure reports provide you with all the insights you need in one place.
Discover how Carrier Assure can help with cargo loss prevention and aid in finding the safest and most reliable trucking companies for your needs.
