Are you looking to start a truck transport business? here’s a step-by-step guide on how to ship trucks from your home, starting with no money and no experience.
Sending trucks from home is a job an experienced dispatcher can take on if he wants to be his own boss or work remotely. Not all home dispatchers are self-employed. Some of them work full time in logistics companies that allow their employees to work remotely.
The duties of a truck dispatcher include receiving a request for trucks, training drivers and coordinating the delivery of goods. To do this job effectively, you need a working phone, computer, and scanner at home to do your tasks. This job is best for a dispatcher who already has work experience but would like to work from home.
Here is a detailed guide on how to start a home expedition truck.
A detailed guide on how to send trucks from your home
1. Get the training you need: this activity is best suited for those who already have freight forwarding experience. If you have no experience in this area, you need to take training. There are many online and offline courses that you can take to teach you what you need to know about truck delivery.
2. Obtain the necessary equipment to operate: to operate an expedition truck, you need equipment such as a phone, a computer with an internet connection, and access to a download board. You will also need a printer, scanner, and fax machine.
3. Develop a marketing plan: Then you will need to set up a marketing plan form on how you are going to attract customers to send. Social media is a great and inexpensive way to attract customers to this business. If you already have logistics experience, you may already have contacts with certain operators or truck drivers that you can work with online or sell your services.
Process involved in running a truck shipping business
and. Before submitting your order: In order to ship the truck as soon as you receive the shipment from the customer, you also need to receive the receiving address, contact name and telephone number. Then you will need to call the sender and recipient to set the date and time for the meeting. And don’t forget to ask the customer if there will be any special shipping or shipping requirements.
It is very important to get this information in advance so that you can come back and discuss any additional requirements with the operator in advance. Add your percentage and get those extra charges approved so you don’t endanger your charges in the end.
You should always call to let them know when you expect your truck to arrive. You can ask the shipper if the driver needs a number to get to the dock. It’s best to ask as many questions as possible to avoid unexpected surprises and to avoid possible detention or being charged for temporary cancellation.
When you have gathered all the information needed for the truck to arrive and deliver successfully, you will need to call the driver and send them for a successful trip. You will need to get driver details like name, truck number, trailer number, direct contact number, etc.
b. Get the current location and trip time: You can find the driver’s current location and the address of the pick-up point to make sure the driver has chosen the best route, so you can also alert the driver to any issues along the way.
Review the route, then provide the driver with a schedule for the sender’s pickup destination. Tell the driver to make sure the seal is intact after the shipper has loaded the shipment before leaving the premises. This will prevent the carrier from being held responsible for damage during transport.
vs. Update your system: You should then update your system with a scanned copy of the bill of lading, diver arrival and loading time, and a stamp number, make sure no retention fees are charged. Most carriers charge around $ 60 per hour for their allotted time. If the driver must be late for loading and the estimated delivery time has now changed, be sure to call the recipient and postpone the delivery date.
Most companies pay close attention to their delivery times, and even a few minutes of rest can lead to unforeseen problems. Additional fees may apply if the driver needs to keep the load on the trailer until another meeting date is set.
re. When the product has been loaded: make sure the information you have is correct, compare the route with the driver and let him know any special requirements, meeting numbers etc.
Find out when the driver takes breaks, the rest stops. Depending on how far your driver needs to travel, make sure the driver understands that you are their contact person and if there are any issues or delays during transportation, you should call as soon as possible.
Tell the driver to politely call you at least twice a day (depending on the length of the trip). Calculate the mileage from drivers’ current location to their final destination and factor in driver rest and refueling stops. Try to provide the most accurate estimate of arrival time when updating your customer’s status.
e. When your driver is configured and ready to go: call the customer politely to let them know the shipment has been received and is on schedule for prompt delivery, assure your customer that you are on top of their shipment and that you will follow them around the clock and do- let us know if there are any issues along the way …
The fastest way to get paid for shipping is to make sure your driver calls you when the load is empty. Make sure you receive a signed copy of the invoice known as the POD (Proof of Delivery). Providing your customer with a signed copy of the POD and your invoice completes the shipment and is usually all you need to receive payment.
Once you’ve successfully completed sending with your customer, that’s ideal. it’s time to ask about the additional fillers and designs available. Take the time to contact the sender and receiver once your driver has completed the complete shipment.
Make sure they have had a pleasant experience with your driver, then ask if they need help with future transportation. Find out if they are working on any projects so you can start making a profitable strategic plan for them.
3 Tips to Help You Maximize Your Success in Truck Shipping
I. Find the best technology: Before, planning and allocation was done manually, but nowadays many programs have replaced the manual method. It is up to you to decide which type of technology is best suited to your freight transportation needs.
The ideal truck dispatch software should be able to conveniently prioritize time sensitive loads, track weather, calculate best routes, track driver processes, among many other functions. Having the right technology will ensure that your trucks will be shipped efficiently, on time and on budget, without wasting resources.
ii. Pay attention to details: to send trucks, you need to keep track of the details. There are many factors to consider when deciding which truck to ship and where. The sender is responsible for providing the driver with the shortest and most efficient route upon delivery.
This will ensure that fuel is not wasted by taking a longer router when there is a better alternative and it also saves time. In addition, the dispatcher must pay particular attention to fuel consumption in each area, directing his drivers to the most economical route.
Distributors must also take into account the connected loads. If the unloading is planned properly, the dispatcher can save trucking companies a lot of time and money.
vs. Understand your drivers: Even if you work as a truck dispatcher from the comfort of your home, you will still need to maintain constant contact with your drivers. It is therefore in your interest to have a good relationship with your drivers and to know them well to ensure efficient delivery.
To do this, you need to know how often drivers stop, their driving habits and how efficiently they complete their papers. This can help the dispatcher create efficient delivery schedules and routes.
In conclusion, while the experience of a truck driver can make a big difference if you want to send trucks, this activity can still be done even without that experience. A good relationship with the team of drivers can be a big plus when learning the tips, as the drivers can provide helpful advice and help the dispatcher become familiar with DOT regulations.
