How to get the most
out of flatbed shipping

Flatbed shipping is the best solution --sometimes the only solution --for many loads. However, just as with any other method of getting your cargo where it needs to go, there are a lot of “jobs to be done” to make sure it all goes smoothly.

 

Finding a carrier

As mentioned previously, the market is tight for flatbed carriers. And it’s not as simple as picking the first carrier who’s available. For a number of reasons --ranging from protecting your cargo to complying with government regulations --it’s important to vet carriers carefully.

Things to check for include:

• Does the driver have the proper license?
• Is the equipment in good shape and free of contaminants?
• What’s the driver’s track record of on-time deliveries? Was a delivery ever late because of equipment failure or because the driver didn’t have enough hours left without a mandatory rest break? (The driver should take that into consideration before committing to the contract.)
• Does the driver know the rules and regulations that apply to the cargo and the route? For instance, weight limits can vary by state. In addition, the driver needs to know the rules of the road, so to speak, for properly distributing the weight load and securing the cargo.
• There’s more than one kind of flatbed truck --for instance, a dropdeck truck to make room for taller cargo without having to get an oversize permit. Does the carrier you’re considering recommend and have access to the right kind of flatbed trailer?
• Does the carrier have tarps or other materials to protect your cargo from the elements?
• Does the carrier have an app (or some other method) to allow you to track your load in real time?

 

Booking the load

How easy is it to book the carrier? Can the paperwork be completed online or through an app, or is everything paper-based? How professional is the process?

 

Managing the pickup

A lot of things have to happen when the load is picked up. Some of them we’ve already discussed, like properly loading and securing the cargo. But there are a few other details involved, too:

 

• Can the driver provide his CDL license, insurance documents, etc.?
• Does the driver have all other documentation, like the Bill of Lading?
• Can the driver prove that he keeps the required logs?
• What methods does the driver take to secure your loads? Not only does the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have requirements that have to be met, but your cargo has to be protected, too. The damage from improperly loaded and secured cargo costs U.S. businesses $1 billion per year; you don’t want your cargo to be part of this statistic.

Making sure the driver knows what they’re doing and follows all of the rules can be challenging if you’re not a logistics expert.

What “jobs to be done” can a
freight broker take off your hands?

 

That’s a good question, and the answer is, “It depends.” There are a wide range of services available. Some companies offer only the basics: They’ll pull from their network of carriers and arrange for someone to show up with a flatbed truck at the date, time, and place you specify. Others take over every facet of your logistics operations. And others, like those of us here at Jones Logistics, offer a range of options so you can choose the best fit for you and your business.

With that said, here are some of those “jobs’ freight brokers can do for you:

 

Finding the carrier, booking the load, and arranging pickup

Most freight brokers have a broad network of carriers, founded on relationships cultivated over years of working together. That’s especially handy when you need a service that’s in high demand, like flatbed trailers. And if your load requires special expertise or handling, freight brokers can find a dependable, flexible carrier and work with the two of you to come up with the best solution.

In addition, freight brokers take care of all of those tedious but extremely important details, like verifying licensing, insurance coverage, etc. They make sure the driver they schedule shows up with the right kind of flatbed trailer for your load. They can even work with the driver to map a route that gets your cargo to its destination as soon as possible without having to get oversized load permits.

In addition, many freight brokers have digital platforms for managing all of the paperwork involved in getting cargo from one place to another.

 

Staying in touch during transit

Most freight brokers use GPS to track the location of each and every load they have on the road. They can also use GPS data to help reroute the driver around accidents, road construction, bad weather, or other conditions that could endanger the cargo or delay delivery.

In addition, freight brokers often check in via cell phone at regular intervals just to make sure the driver and the cargo are doing OK. And, if a truck suffers a breakdown, the broker can consult with you to determine the best solution, whether that’s arranging for repairs or scheduling another truck to pick up the flatbed trailer.

 

Managing delivery and unloading

The freight broker will also stay in touch with the driver during delivery and unloading, making sure all paperwork is completed properly and working with the driver and client to solve any problems that might arise, like damaged cargo or detention--a delay caused by the customer, which can make the driver late for their next pickup or cause them to exceed their allowed driving hours. (As a bonus, the broker’s tracking system would automatically log the driver’s arrival at the destination, avoiding any disputes about how long the driver had to wait to unload his flatbed trailer.)

 

Are you ready to outsource your
flatbed shipping needs to a freight broker?

It might make sense to just keep on doing what you’ve been doing, especially if you’re not overwhelmed juggling all of those details. But there are a few signs that indicate it’s time to make the switch:

• Your business is growing so fast that it’s hard to keep up with all of the shipping arrangements yourself.
• You’re expanding regionally and aren’t familiar with regulations in new states.
• Taking care of shipping details is keeping you from doing your “real” job --the one that adds the most value to your company.
• You know there are opportunities to save money and increase efficiency in your shipping operations.
• You’re currently experiencing problems with drivers not showing up to pick up scheduled loads, arriving late at destinations, etc.
• You have to track drivers down to get required paperwork back.
• You feel like you lack insight into where your loads are while they’re in transit.
• You’d rather have somebody with special expertise to handle issues like accidents, breakdowns, delays due to weather, or other unavoidable problems.
• With COVID-19 looking like it’s here to stay for a while, you want somebody with national oversight to keep track of changing state requirements. And there’s always the possibility of a driver becoming ill or failing a temperature check; a freight broker can use their network to find a replacement more quickly than you can on your own.

 

Other benefits of partnering with a freight broker

• A pre-vetted network of trusted carriers to pull from
• The ability to scale up or down as your needs require
• Experience in handling compliance or other legal issues
• Technology that not only gives you start-to-finish visibility of all of your loads, but also analyzes your activity to look for opportunities to cut costs
• Automated payments based on completion of the Bill of Lading

Benefits of choosing Jones Logistics as your
freight broker for flatbed shipping

There are a lot of freight brokers out there, so we understand that you want to know what makes Jones Logistics different:

Freight brokerage

We make sure you have the right flatbed trucks when and where you need them, and we have a dedicated team to make sure everything is done right, every time. You maintain the rest of your logistics activities in-house.

 

Dedicated services

In addition to setting you up with the right flatbed carrier at the right time, Jones Logistics provides you with a dedicated team that handles driver recruitment and training, maintenance, and regulatory compliance.

 

Managed transportation

When you choose managed transportation for your flatbed shipping needs, we become your trusted logistics ally. Jones Logistics takes over all of your logistics functions while providing you with full visibility at all times. You’ll have an engaged, responsive team of experts working as an extension of your business, not only handling the details but looking for opportunities to cut costs and increase efficiency.

Are you ready to let a team of resolute, determined experts in flatbed shipping help you out so you can get back to working on what matters most?

Get a quote today