As a trucker, you could be employed by a single company in making regular deliveries all across the US. However, it is also a career path in which you can thrive as a freelance driver. Becoming a freelance trucker is great if you want to make the best use of all the freedom trucking has to offer. You can build up your own list of clients and regular delivery trips, taking on as much work as you want. However, there are certain essential things that you need to put in place in order to get the most out of your freelance trucking career.
Sign up to a truck load board
How do you find enough loads to haul to bring in a profit as a freelance trucker? A load board is a platform where clients can post details of their required shipment, and truckers can bid for them. Truck loads could be anything from construction materials to a house move, and you can take on as many or as little as you want. For instance, try to maximize your truck capacity by looking for jobs that are along similar routes that you have planned to boost your profits. A truck loads board allows you to filter jobs by location, giving you the flexibility to deliver closer to home if you prefer to sleep in your own bed every night or long-haul trips if you want to take a cross-country road trip.
Invest in trucking equipment
The initial costs of trucking can be high; however, the investment will be worth it for your trucking career to be comfortable and profitable. There is obviously the first huge investment of buying a truck, which you can do by looking for a reliable, high-quality used vehicle and with financial approval. You might need to make some additional adjustments to make sure that your truck best fits your purposes, such as mechanical work and repair and renovating sleeper cabs for a comfortable night’s sleep on the road. It is also a good idea to invest in a variety of trailer add-ons so that you are ready to deal with a number of different jobs at a moment’s notice.
GPS
The route info for your delivery journey often changes in real-time to avoid lengthy delays caused by traffic; however, you might be required by suppliers to check in at certain points along the route. Managing all of this can be made easier with a GPS system – no more hours spent studying a map to plan your route. You could invest in a GPS system specifically designed for trucks, like the TomTom Trucker 620, which includes a number of features specific to the trucking industry, such as flagging roads that are inaccessible to trucks. However, you could also fall back on the GPS and route planner on your smartphone. Remember to program your route before driving off and pull over to make adjustments, as GPS systems can be hazardous distractions for drivers. You can read also 10 essential tools in a mechanical workshop.
