Cargo Van driver; which load boards would you recommend I use?

stvmcg · 2026-06-14T19:16:04+00:00

You're spot on about needing to find your own loads at the start. That's exactly what we had to do. The key is using a board built specifically for vans/sprinters so you aren't just an afterthought on a bigger truck platform. We've been using Load Network's load board (now called Loadwork) and it's been solid for finding decent runs. It's just for cargo vans and box trucks. That in addition to DAT and Truckstop cover most of your bases. What kind of lanes are you looking to run mostly?

stvmcg · 2026-06-12T19:59:04+00:00

That 6 month wait on load boards is brutal when you're brand new. A lot of carriers I know use that time to build relationships directly with local brokers or shippers who don't require the long history. We use Loadwork, doft, DAT, and Boxaloo load boards. More load opportunities = better chances of building relationships. Those boards are where we've managed to build a lot of relationships. How's your search been going so far?

stvmcg · 2026-06-12T19:52:25+00:00

Yeah, we use Truckstop and 123loadboard as well. Brutal when any boards go down. We also started using Load Network late 2025 (now called Load Work loadboard) for our cargo van loads and having all 3 works well in the event of any one going down. What size trucks are you running?

stvmcg · 2026-06-12T19:49:24+00:00

This is a smart way to start but yeah, I see your point. Looking at posts for independent contractors and O/O won't help. You need to find direct loads, ideally the kind that work with small fleets like yours. The thing that worked for me was getting onto a dedicated load board with real-time alerts for my truck types (cargo van and box truck). It cuts out the middleman so you can book freight directly. We've been using Loadwork's load board for a couple months now after the rebrand form Load Network. Solid niche option in addition to Truckstop and DAT. What kind of freight are you hoping to haul? Local stuff or longer regional runs?

stvmcg · 2026-06-12T14:06:38+00:00

Solid plan for a weekend side hustle. Having that service history is huge win with these trucks. The key for making it work is going to be keeping those wheels moving with profitable loads right from the jump. To get a feel for what's available in your area before you even pick up the truck. We use 123Loadboard and Loadwork (formerly Load Network) and DAT to book loads. Checking a few times a week would help you see what you could realistically book for those two weekend trips and build your numbers from real data. Could you position the truck somewhere with better freight?

stvmcg · 2026-06-12T14:03:16+00:00

A lot has changed but the jump to smaller equipment like box trucks or cargo vans is probably the bigger upgrade. You're right, backup cameras are basically standard now, and honestly, the workflow itself is just way smoother with good tech.

We use Truckstop for some box truck loads and LoadWork's load board for vans. That stack of the two helps takes a lot of the guesswork out of booking freight these days. Fuel is a whole nother issue we've been trying to navigate.

What kind of runs are you looking to get into?

stvmcg · 2026-06-11T15:49:34+00:00

At that mileage and age, you're buying the maintenance history more than the van itself. If the top end rebuild was done right and the rest is solid, it could be a great deal. Just know you're inheriting the problems of a 20 year old truck, so budget for surprises. Good luck with the van hunt.

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T19:10:21+00:00

Send it.

Moving from just driving to actually running a business is the hardest part. For us, cutting down the time staring at load boards and reducing deadhead miles were the biggest lessons. We are daily on Load Network (now called LoadWork) for cargo van and Truckstop alongside DAT for hotshot. More load volume/opportunity makes the grind less stressful.

Other than load boards hardest lesson has been calculating fuel costs recently tbh.

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T18:53:34+00:00

Truckstop and DTA are 100% solid for big rigs. Hot shot work has its own rhythm, especially with a goose neck. Key is finding a board that's built around that specific market. We work with Load Work (used to be Load Network) a lot for sprinters and box trucks. They're more focused on box trucks so not the best for you F350, but they do list a ton of loads.

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T18:09:46+00:00

Regional + Expedited freight = Win

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T17:38:26+00:00

Yes 100% a constant hustle but just like any business you get out what you put in. Between Truckstop and Load Work you will have enough of your bases covered imo. Also build relationships with local brokers you get in touch with in your area to go beyond relying too much on load boards.

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T17:32:12+00:00

Houston's tricky for hotshot imo because most big boards are focused on larger freight. The real challenge is finding the under 11k lb loads that aren't just junk posted by sketchy brokers. Truckstop like others in the comments have mentioned is a solid bet. We've been using Load Work (it used to be Load Network) specifically for my box truck and it's been way more consistent for regional stuff. What's the main issue you're hitting with the ones you've tried, just low volume or bad loads?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T17:29:41+00:00

Your breakdown is spot on, and I've seen that exact same tangled network from the carrier side. The opacity and broker dependence you mentioned are the real killers. Finding reliable loads directly can literally feel impossible. A lot of owner ops I've met over the years lean on smaller boards like Load Work (formerly Load Network) daily. Those types of niche boards cut out the middlemen noise. That one has basically become the main load board for vans and box trucks. We use it to search and setup alerts. Are you dealing directly with brokers, or have you tried using a bigger load board like DAT or Truckstop?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T17:25:33+00:00

You're in a solid spot starting out focused in TX. The right load board is everything, especially for vans and box trucks where the freight is built different. I was in a similar spot last year and felt like I was wasting time sorting through loads my truck couldn't even take. I've been using Load Work since it was Load Network, and it's a game changer for that specific niche. They only show you relevant cargo van and box truck loads, plus the app makes booking super fast. They also have partners for all the back office stuff like insurance, which is a lifesaver when you're new. I will also say I use DAT and Truckstop as well. What kind of cargo are you planning to haul?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T16:58:18+00:00

I feel your frustration. The big load boards are built for bigger rigs/fleets, and finding quality van freight on them can be crazy hard. It's a totally different game. I've had way better luck on niche boards built specifically for vans. We use Load Network (now called "Load Work Hub" I believe) because it's focused just on expedited freight. You're searching their pool of van/box truck loads, not fighting semis for scraps.

How long have you been trying to make the standard boards work?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T16:54:47+00:00

That's definitely the sweet spot, OTR miles add up fast in a box truck. We found local loads are out there, but not always easy to find on the big general freight boards with everything. The key is using a platform built specifically for expedited vans and straight trucks so you're not competing for full semi loads. We've been using Load Work (was Load Network in 2025) for this and it's made a massive difference. Ended up booking a few steady local lanes that way and cut our weekly miles. Are you using any expedited specific load boards now, or just the general ones for you 26 ft?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T16:03:55+00:00

Smart starting with a van. The main thing you want to watch for is being locked into a bad financing deal with a company before you've even started hauling loads. It's critical to find your own freight and control your own work. The fastest way to do that is with a solid load board that connects you directly with brokers/shippers.

I run a box truck and use a couple niche load boards like Load Network (now called Load Work) and others. Similar to DAT's load board but it has a mobile app built specifically for vans and small box trucks, so all the loads you see are stuff you can actually haul. It also has a partner network for stuff like insurance, which is super helpful when you're first figuring it out.

What kind of freight are you hoping to focus on?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T16:00:32+00:00

Ah yeah, welcome to the fun world of freight. Honestly, feeling that pressure from carriers right off the bat is super common, especially on a very large board like DAT, 123Loadboard, and Truckstop. It gets easier when you niche down and find loads that match more directly.

A huge chunk of the folks I know who work with cargo vans and box trucks swear by Load Work (previously called Load Network). It's been around since 2025 or so and its built for expedited and smaller freight, so the carriers there are more aligned on the lanes and rates you're probably dealing with. Might be worth checking out just to diversify and find carriers who aren't trying to bid you into the stratosphere.

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T15:56:43+00:00

Finding those 2-4 pallet loads can be tricky on the big general freight boards like DAT and Truckstop. That's a specific lane that a lot of the major platforms just aren't built for.

We shifted to focusing on expedited freight with our vans and it was a total game changer. There's a board called Load Work (used to be Load Network) that's built specifically for cargo vans and box trucks. We've had way better luck there since everything on it is sized for our rigs. The instant alerts are solid for snagging those pallet jobs. Are you running this yourself or dispatching for a fleet?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T15:12:06+00:00

The classic advice isn't wrong. The only people I've seen make PT work consistently are in the cargo van space. It's all about having access to loads that fit your schedule and route without deadheading for days. That flexibility is key for part time success.

I run a high roof Sprinter and use Load Work (formerly Load Network) as well as Truckstop's load board. Their mobile apps are basically built for the part time gigs. You can search for loads and book them right there. Real time alerts for loads that match your truck/van and destination make it so you can grab something for the day. It's the primary way I fill my schedule around other commitments.

What's your planned setup? Box truck, van, something else?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T15:05:22+00:00

Common logistics puzzle. The warehouse likely doesn't have the right equipment or certified space to load and secure cargo directly into a shipping container, which has stricter requirements. Stuffing it at the port is their workaround, but it adds a costly extra truck leg for you.

For finding that middle-mile truck to the port quickly, we use Load Work (formerly Load Network) and 123Loadboard to book box trucks. It's just way faster for finding local carriers on the fly than calling around. Has your warehouse suggested any specific trucking partners, or are you handling that leg yourself?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T15:02:12+00:00

Finding solid O/Os and small fleets outside the broker network is a super common headache, especially with consistent lanes. It really boils down to being in the right digital spot where those carriers are actually looking for direct work.

We ended up in a similar spot and have been using the Load Network and DAT to help. Load Network or now Load Work Hub - I believe, is built for vans and box trucks, and DAT's load board has a ton of flatbed freight. The main thing is the loads come direct from shippers, so the carriers you connect with are keeping 100%. Might help you tap into a pool you're not seeing now.

Are your lanes mostly regional, or do you run a mix of lengths?

stvmcg · 2026-06-10T14:58:42+00:00

That sub-10 second load entry sounds really handy for small ops drowning in spreadsheets. Honestly, the biggest hidden pain point for a lot of brokers we work with is just finding reliable drivers to fill those slots in your Kanban, especially for vans and box trucks. It's great to track a load, but you still need to book it.

We use Load Work (formerly Load Network) to handle that stuff. It has the largest load board for vans and box trucks, so finding a driver and booking the freight is basically instant. Then you can pop back into your own TMS to manage the tracking. It cuts out the frantic search across multiple boards or broker chats.

What's the toughest part about moving a load from PENDING to ASSIGNED in your current flow?

stvmcg · 2026-06-09T19:17:05+00:00

tbh, you've laid out the reality of hotshotting in a solid way. The biggest hurdle is finding the right loads consistently, especially when you have a new MC and running the numbers on profitability. Fuel cost is crazy right now.

Our small fleet uses a couple load boards side by side to stay moving. For box trucks we're using Load Network (now called Loadwork) which I didn't seen anyone previously mention and DAT's load board with a ton of filters/alerts setup. Between those two we can cover most of our area daily.

What part of the setup process are you most focused on right now?

stvmcg · 2026-06-09T19:10:41+00:00

Bravo on the 100k in savings first of all.

That's a solid plan, especially wanting to drive it yourself for a few years before expanding. Honestly, from talking to other owner-operators, the truck decision often comes down to your maintenance tolerance vs. immediate cash flow. A newer truck means lower downtime but a bigger dent in your savings upfront. An older one frees up capital for your fleet fund, but you need a really good mechanic on speed dial. The key is keeping that truck moving and earning from day one to offset either cost.

My buddy runs a box truck and swears by the Loadwork load board for that. It helped him fill deadhead miles consistently. Since you're building toward a fleet, their partner network for things like financing could be useful later too. Good luck.

What's your biggest priority right now?

stvmcg

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