Overdrive

28 | Overdrive | March 2017 L ate last year, Overdrive reader Kacie Sill wrote in after read- ing updates on the problems with No Broker Freight and MyRiteLoad. The shipper-exclusive load-matching services were having problems populating their systems with shippers' freight. It sounded similar to what she and her husband had expe- rienced, trying to suss out "legitimate freight options" among the Wild West of online boards and the new crop of tech- enabled brokerages, Sill wrote. "We are currently members of [DAT's] TruckersEdge and Truckstop. com, and are struggling with the rate offers," she added. Were there legit alternatives to those longtime load- board stalwarts? The answer is yes, but it's not a black-and-white revolution where mobile apps and smallness always produce better rates and increased efficiencies for owner-operators. When it comes to that new crop of broker- ages, pitching their on-demand freight options on the strength of their mobile technology, the "uberization of truck- ing" reality is proving more compli- cated than the hype, as predicted by Truckstop.com's Scott Moscrip and others in 2015. When we first reported on the grow- ing niche, some of those firms had spent much of their venture-capital cash on marketing, generating plenty of headlines. More recently, tech and logistics giants Uber and Amazon have signaled intentions of building Dodging the middleman On-demand load-matching services are seeing some success at circumventing traditional brokers, promising gains for owner-operators in rates, freight availability and productivity. While no one service will be 'Uber for all' in the fragmented brokerage market, technology used by services large and small is moving in the same direction. BY TODD DILLS

• Cover
• Readers: Behind-the-wheel training minimum critical.
• Pulse: FMCSA backpedals on safety proposal.
• The ELD mandate and the “House Freedom Caucus.”
• Dry bulk for the long haul.
• “Build the wall”: Majority favors Trump plan.
• Lawsuit opposes Trump order to reduce regs.
• Industry united against safety rating change.
• Court to review border policy.
• C.R. England plans to appeal fraud ruling.
• Lag growing between CDL training, skills test.
• Big-rig race series returns in new format.
• Rare 96-year-old White 5-ton finds new home.
• Reader Rigs: ’07 W900L an ice cream truck; ’14 389 a “Green Monster”; ’09 W900L a million-miler.
• BUSINESS: Make the most of your tax deductions.
• Gear Guide: Trailer brake drum, wheels, clutches, more.
• FLEET NEWS: Averitt expands in Northeast, hiring drivers.
• 5 APPS FOR THAT: Matching book lovers with recordings.
• RESPECT THE DINOSAURS: Diverse drivers united for a common goal is what it’s all about, Wendy Parker writes. Page 8.
• COVER STORY: Sleight of truck | Imagine arriving at a gate and presenting papers to pick up a load. The man in the guard shack looks confused and says you’ve already been there and that the load is gone. Heists involving false identity and other fraud ar
• Dodging the middleman: While no one service will be “Uber for all” in the fragmented brokerage market, on-demand load-matching services are seeing some success at circumventing traditional brokers and promising gains for owner-operators in rates, freight
• $25,000 awaits top owner-operator: Three owner-operators – Gary Buchs, Philip Keith and Kevin Kocmich – are finalists for the 2016 Owner-Operator of the Year award, produced by the Truckload Carriers Association and Overdrive.
• Maintaining your wheels: A pre-trip inspection for cracks and rust is usually sufficient for maintenance of aluminum and steel wheels. A few other best practices, though, can almost ensure that wheels last as long as your truck.