Whether you’re a small business trying to get products to market or a manufacturing giant shipping goods across the country, having a dependable trucking company is critical. With so many haulers out there, how do you separate the reputable operators from the unreliable ones? In this comprehensive guide writting K. Yurovskiy, we’ll cover everything you need to know to find a trucking partner that will get your cargo safely to its destination on time, every time.
Do Your Homework
As with anything involving your business expenditures, you’ll want to thoroughly research potential trucking companies before making a decision. The internet makes this easier than ever before – most companies have a website that lays out their services, equipment, and safety records. However, don’t stop there. Check reputable third-party sites like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System for a fuller picture of the company’s safety performance history, including an accounting of any accidents, inspections, and violations.
You’ll also want to find a company that is properly licensed, bonded, and insured. All trucking companies are required by law to maintain higher insurance limits than other commercial operators because of the potential for catastrophic accidents involving their heavy vehicles and cargo loads. However, insurance minimums can still leave you exposed, so look for companies that go above and beyond these limits. A reputable carrier should be able and willing to provide proof of sufficient insurance coverage.
Another crucial factor is the company’s operational experience and capabilities. How many years have they been in business? What range of equipment do they have in their fleet (dry vans, flatbeds, refrigerated trucks, etc.) to handle your particular freight needs? Are they properly staffed with an adequate pool of trained, experienced drivers to ensure reliable service? These are all questions you’ll want answers to before signing on the dotted line.
Safety Should Be the Top Priority
Given the enormous weight and size of commercial trucks, safety is paramount when selecting a trucking partner. In addition to checking the company’s safety data on SAFER, dig deeper to understand their safety protocols and what kind of technologies they employ to mitigate risk.
Top-tier haulers today use cab-integrated systems that can track vehicle location, monitor driver behavior and hours on the road, manage routing and navigation, and more. These fleet management platforms help ensure drivers stay compliant with hours-of-service regulations to prevent fatigue. Many also include driver-facing and road-facing cameras to capture evidence in the event of an accident or incident, as well as sensors that can detect dangerous driving maneuvers and provide audible alerts.
The best trucking companies also have robust driver screening, hiring and training processes in place. Ask about their criteria for bringing on new drivers, such as minimum levels of experience, clean driving records, drug testing policies, and periodic safety training requirements. A trucking firm that takes a lax approach to vetting its drivers is one you’ll likely want to avoid.
Get Referrals and Read Reviews
One of the most reliable ways to assess a trucking company’s quality of service is by speaking to some of their current or past customers. Don’t be afraid to ask the company directly for references you can contact. A reputable hauler should be able to provide you with several customer testimonials about their track record of on-time deliveries, attention to safety protocols, and overall professionalism.
You can take this a step further by hunting online for third-party reviews of the company across various websites and forums. Be wary of companies that have no online review presence, as well as those that have overwhelmingly negative feedback from multiple sources. While the occasional outlier negative comment is to be expected, a clear pattern of complaints about issues like missed pick-ups, late deliveries, damaged goods, or poor customer service should be viewed as a major red flag.
Mind the Pricing (But Don’t Fixate On It)
For most businesses, cost will inevitably be a deciding factor when vetting trucking companies. However, focusing solely on the cheapest option can often lead to unintended consequences like delays, damages, and other headaches that will end up costing you more in the long run.
As you collect quotes from prospective haulers, certainly take note of their pricing structures and what specific services are included in their base rates. But keep in mind that legitimate trucking companies that invest in newer equipment, advanced safety tech, robust insurance coverage, and rigorous safety training will naturally come with a higher price tag attached. If one company’s quote seems incredibly low compared to their competitors, there’s likely a tradeoff in service quality, reliability, or asset maintenance standards.
The wiser approach is to identify two or three companies that meet your criteria from reliability, safety and service standpoints. Then, have an open discussion with them about finding the pricing option that works best for your budget while still delivering the quality you require. Reputable truckers will work with you to try to find that sweet spot.
Value-Added Services and the Overall Customer Experience
While the ability to simply get your freight from Point A to Point B is obviously critical, top trucking companies today offer a bevy of additional services and amenities focused on enhancing the overall shipping experience. As you evaluate potential partners, be sure to look for these value-added extras:
• Real-time freight tracking and alert notifications via web or mobile apps
• Dedicated logistics coordinators to personally manage your freight
• Consolidation services to group multiple shipments and reduce costs
• Specialized handling and protective services (e.g. air-ride trucks for sensitive equipment)
• 24/7 customer support for handling issues outside normal business hours
• Online customer portals for self-service needs like placing orders or accessing documentation
Along those same lines, consider what kind of client communication and support structure a company has in place. Do they assign a single point-of-contact who truly understands your business and freight needs? Do they have local terminals and operations near your facilities to streamline shipments and in-person support? Do they have multilingual staff to cater to international shipping? These customer service factors can go a long way toward facilitating a smoother, lower-stress shipping experience.
Finding the Right Trucking Fit
At the end of the day, a trucking company is a vital business partner that you’ll want to develop a strong, long-lasting relationship with. By investing the time and effort upfront into thoroughly vetting potential haulers, you can find that dependable freight partner that checks all the boxes – a commitment to service and safety, advanced technologies and assets, affordable and flexible pricing options, and an overall customer-centric approach. With the right trucking company in your corner, you can keep your own operation’s wheels turning smoothly for years to come.