Finding freight

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All the major load boards have apps with varying degrees of functionality. The first on the market, iGetLoaded (iPhone), enables mobile access for GetLoaded.com load-board users, with GPS-enabled and other load searches, access to broker credit ratings, rate indexing, one-touch calling for load details, PC Miler routing/mileage and more. An Android version of the app is being planned.

ITS Trucker (Android, iPhone) allows access to the Internet Truckstop load board to search for freight using GPS or another location and to post your truck. A “Get Me Home” button displays loads delivering in a radius of your home base. Direct-dial functions enable one-touch calling. CreditStop Broker and Days2Pay information is available on each load. For the iPhone version, search the iTunes App Store, and download for Android at udrove.com/and/trucker.apk.

The My DAT Trucker Services app (Android, iPhone) from TransCore provides owner-operators up to 25 nearby loads per search from Transcore’s DAT network, in addition to access to truck stop information, alternative parking data and points of interest text. With more than 40,000 downloads since its launch early this year for Android, it has a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating in the Android apps market.

The TQL Freight Finder (Android, iPhone) from broker Total Quality Logistics has similar functionality for load searching. The app then enables one-touch calling of TQL agents about particular loads, and offers additional searches by equipment type, load date and destination city/state. TQL recently updated the Freight Finder to include an adjustable destination radius, new equipment options during search (step deck, vented vans and more) and other features. The company will be introducing a new app converting its load-alert customizable email service to a smartphone app with push notifications for new loads.

The uShip mobile app (Android, Blackberry, iPhone and others) helps hotshot haulers and other owner-operators find and bid on freight through the eBay-like online transport marketplace uShip.com. Benefits include “push notifications,” alerting bidders to when a bid is accepted or declined or questions are asked; full messaging capability between truckers and shippers; navigation capabilities with map views; and opt-in GPS tracking to alert shippers/consignees to arrival times.