7 Lesser-Known Trucking Company Services

You may think you know what a trucking company does. These companies haul items from one place to the next. However, you may be surprised to discover that most companies' range of services is more expansive. Here are the seven services you can seek from a trucking company.

 

1. You Can Hire Companies for Standard Hauling

 Hauling is the service most commonly associated with a trucking company. With a hauling service, you can hire the company to transport items from one location to another. In most cases, these shipments must traverse across significant areas of the country or throughout a specific region. Shipments may require an entire truckload of space, but some companies will also offer shared shipping services to streamline their services and mitigate your costs.

 

2. Most Companies Provide Equipment Rental

 In addition to shipping, you may be able to hire a shipping company for equipment rental. In other words, instead of hiring the company for comprehensive service, you may be able to hire the company for the use of its shipping equipment. Trucks and other shipping equipment are quite versatile, and for some people, the problem is not about lacking the experience or desire to do the work. Rather, they simply do not have the resources to do the work on their own. Therefore, they work with a truck company to rent the equipment, save the cash and do it themselves.

 

3. Ask the Company About Local Delivery Service

 For most truck companies, the focus is on moving items across large swaths of land. However, you may be able to work with the company for local shipping and delivery. In these situations, the company will work on a local circuit. This is typically defined as 100 miles or less. For small, regional companies, this kind of service is absolutely critical. Ask your truck company about the possibilities.

 

4. Consider Pursuing Warehouse Service with the Company

 Another service you may not expect from a truck company is warehouse storage. However, when you consider what a shipping company does, this one actually makes a lot of sense. Truck companies need a lot of space to store their fleet and equipment. They also need space to store goods for clients as the shipping process unfolds. Therefore, the companies in question may provide such warehouse space to you for an affordable monthly fee. Be sure to bring up the possibility the next time you work with a truck company.

 

5. Talk to the Company for Brokerage Options

 There are a lot of truck companies out there, which means that there is ample competition. Competition is not just about taking clients from one another. Competition is also about working on different routes or parts of the country. In these cases, your preferred truck company may simply not offer service in a location you request. That does not mean that the company will be unable to help you. Instead, the company may offer brokerage options. With brokerage options, the truck company will make sure your shipment arrives as planned through another carrier.

 

6. You May Get Dedicated Fleet Service

 If your operation is larger and contains valuable or sensitive items, you may not want to share your shipping service with other clients. Therefore, talk to your company about the possibility of a dedicated fleet. When you contract with a company for a dedicated fleet, you are ensuring that the trucks, drivers and equipment are specifically reserved for you. This can add security and streamline your shipping times for superior service overall.

 

7. Request More Personalized Service Options

 The options do not have to stop there. You can always talk to your truck company about more catered service options. You may be able to request specialized shipping services with tailored delivery and transportation options. If you are interested in saving money, the company is likely to have service options to match. If you are worried about security, talk to the company about additional protection or insurance possibilities. Many truck companies are oriented around customer needs, and they will probably match your requests.