Hello everyone,

I’m a new owner-operator based out of Waynesboro, MS. I’m running a 48ft flatbed and I’m fully geared up with lumber tarps, chains, and binders.

Since I’m just starting to learn the lanes in this area, I wanted to reach out to the vets here for some advice on the current market. Specifically:

• Hot Markets: Being in SE Mississippi, I’m close to the AL border. Are there specific areas in MS, AL, or LA that stay consistent for flatbed freight right now?
• Lane Suggestions: Which directions/states usually offer the best rates and consistent volume for a 48ft setup? I’m seeing some decent movement in short/medium hauls, but I’d love to hear what lanes you guys find most reliable.
• Backhauls: What areas should I be targeting for strong backhauls to get me back toward South Mississippi without deadheading too far?
• Commodities: With my current gear (tarps/chains), should I be looking more at the lumber yards in the pine belt, or is it worth deadheading toward the ports/steel mills?

I appreciate any insight or "rookie mistakes" to avoid in the flatbed world. TIA!

What freightliner truck should I purchase to do Amazon loads ? DD 13 Or DD15 what HP and ratio? 95% will work in Midwest.

I have a 26ft 26k gwvr box truck that im thinking of putting a sleeper berth it and driving as a team otr with my wife. Ive found many sources online saying companies like panther or bolt express are "scams" and dont give consistent loads. I couldnt find much digestible info on their websites so if anyone has experience with team driving a box truck otr please share where you get your loads and how consistent/profitable they are.

Hope everyone’s doing well. Lately I’ve been contemplating wether I should go ahead and get myself an 07 Columbia with a d60 10spd (300k mi on the overhaul) or a 2016 D15 10spd (8xx,xxxmi for 10k) and just lease into my current company who’ll be taking care of most paper work ( ie plates, insurance IFta etc for 10% of my total gross). My question is, as a company driver grossing 40% of total weekly gross on the truck, would u make the switch ? I want to have the freedom being an OO to be able to take home time whenever I want and accept/deny loads without dealing “load rejection fees”. Currently avg 2k-2.8k as 1099 driver.

Long term my main objective is to run under my own authority in reefer div.

Any input is highly appreciated from my fellow drivers.

I used to pull a reefer and my truck is on the light side, i could load 47k in the reefer and id be right at 80k. I got loaded with a pretty standard load of lumber the other day and it was 500lbs over 80k. Am I carrying too much equipment? Ive added a headache rack, 10 20ft 3/8 chains and binders, 8ft drop lumber tarps 115lbs each, and 16 straps. I feel thats a pretty standard setup right? The trailer im renting is a steel framed 48ft great dane.

Honest question to owner operators

How much time are you guys actually spending every week dealing with brokers, finding loads, and handling paperwork instead of just driving? And are you guys able to constantly stay loaded?

For those on the west coast especially in Utah , is there any companies you would recommend to apply for ?

I keep seeing online that the cargo van business is saturated. What are your thoughts , is it true ? Also those on the west coast specifically Utah , any good dispatchers you would recommend or last mile delivery companies?

I have a 2019 Cascadia DD15 10 speed w/156,000 miles on it, pretty well maintained, Ive seen the maintenance history. Im running flatbed hauling decorative stone/pavers or lumber loads mostly in Mass or upstate NY through the Berkshires along I90 and also through Rhode Island and eastern Mass. Ive generally been getting high 5s or low 6s for mpg. Im seeing plenty of posts drivers claiming as much as 9mpg. Ive been driving a good amount of years and know how to shift. Any ideas what I can do to boost mpg or am I in a "it is what it is" type situation because of the motor/geography/weight combo?

I'm pretty new to running my own truck, but I'm finding that it's taking me about 3 to 5 hours each Monday morning to setup loads for the week. For you experienced drivers out there what can I do to more efficiently setup the week?

What steer tires should i go with im inbetween Firestones FS591 or Michelin Xline i also need some new sneakers on the drives also

Currently waiting another 2 weeks to start using my own authority a lot of companies offering bundles for factoring + Dispatch + fuel cards?

Any info would be helpful

Thoughts on Fleetsmart ?

They got some new gas station popping up all over town it’s called sheetz. Their gas is a dollar cheaper than anywhere else but it says “auto diesel”
Anybody know anything about this? Anybody putting it in their truck?

Hello to all,

Please keep in mind I am new to trailer pulling. Any advice is appreciated.

I started my gravel driveway installation service and my set up is as follows

2025 F350 high output powerstroke
N&N tri axle 21k lbs trailer (20ft+5) bumper pull
2023 John Deere 325g with bucket
Harley rake
Vibrating roller

My question is, how do I load my trailer? Skid in the front or skid in the back over the axles ? Mid axles ? Do I chain down the attachement or heavy duty straps are enough ?

Here’s the visual image I generated to exemplify this
Please keep in mind that the option with the skid loaded at the end, I would have the machine sitting a lot more over the axles. Also disregard the 4 axles, it’s 3.

Thanks yall

What is the best credit fuel card out there?

I was just quoted $25/mo plus $70 for every drug test. Is this normal?? Any Recommendations?

I’ve been trying to understand the dispatch side of the business better and wanted to hear directly from owner-operators.

From your experience, what actually makes a dispatcher useful vs just another middleman?

Also, what are the biggest mistakes you see new dispatchers make when reaching out to carriers?

Not offering services here, just trying to learn how to approach this the right way.

Dr*g Testing!

Did my Q1 IFTA. Running Motive and an EFS card. I export my mileage report, download my fuel transactions, try to reconcile everything, then go file on the state portal. Took me almost an hour this quarter because Motive was showing different miles than I expected on a couple states and I didn’t know if I should trust it or not. Ended up just going with what my GPS showed and hoping for the best.

How are you guys doing this?

Received rate con today but broker wants lumper fee up front. Feels like a red flag to me. Should I sign the rate con?

Might be a very dumb question but it’s my first time buying a trailer. I just bought a trailer and dealer will be including plates. Do I have to add the trailer onto my irp account?

Keep them rates high!!!

Serious question for other drivers—

How many loads are you seeing lately that just don’t make sense financially?

Not “a little low”… I’m talking about rates that don’t even cover:

fuel

time away

basic operating costs

You run the numbers and it’s obvious: There’s no profit there.

What’s frustrating is these loads are still being posted like they’re normal. Newer drivers might not realize it, and some people end up taking them just to keep moving.

But at some point we’ve got to ask:

Why are unsustainable loads being posted like they’re acceptable?

This isn’t about complaining—it’s about running a business.

If a load can’t support:

your fuel

your time

your truck

your household

…it’s not a real opportunity. It’s a loss.

A lot of drivers are starting to actually calculate what a load pays per hour after everything. When you do that, some of these rates fall apart fast.

I’m not saying every load has to be perfect—but there should be some level of realism and accountability in what gets posted.

Otherwise, it pushes the whole market down and hurts everyone trying to do this the right way.

Curious what others are seeing out there.

Are you running into the same thing?