MALONE DISPATCH SERVICES • FREE CARRIER RESOURCE
BEFORE YOU ACCEPT
YOUR NEXT LOAD...
A profitable load starts before you say yes. Use this quick checklist to evaluate the rate, broker, route, time, and terms before you commit your truck.
1. KNOW YOUR NUMBER
Before you look at the rate, know what the load needs to pay for your truck.
TOTAL LOAD PAY ÷ TOTAL MILES = GROSS RPM
Include the miles it takes to reach pickup, not just the loaded miles. A $2.50/mile load can look very different once deadhead is included.
Quick check: Does the rate still work after you account for deadhead, fuel, time, and your operating costs?
2. CHECK THE BROKER
A good rate means very little if the broker behind it creates a payment problem.
✓ Verify the broker’s authority is active
✓ Check available safety and company information
✓ Review payment history or credit information available to you
✓ If you use factoring, confirm the broker is approved by your factoring company
✓ Make sure the broker’s contact information matches legitimate company information
Quick check: Have you verified who you're doing business with before committing your truck?
3. CHECK THE TIME, NOT JUST THE MILES
Miles don't tell you how long a load will actually take. Look at the full trip from your current location through delivery.
✓ Deadhead time to pickup
✓ Pickup and delivery appointment times
✓ Your available driving and on-duty hours
✓ Expected loading and unloading time
✓ Traffic, weather, parking, and route conditions
✓ Whether the schedule leaves a realistic margin for delays
Quick check: Can you legally and realistically complete the load without putting yourself or your schedule in a bad position?
A higher rate isn't always the better load.
A load that ties up your truck longer can earn less per day even when the rate per mile looks better.
4. KNOW THE TERMS BEFORE YOU SAY YES
The rate is only part of the deal. Know the important load terms before you commit your truck.
✓ Pickup and delivery dates and appointment times
✓ Commodity, weight, and equipment requirements
✓ Detention free time and detention rate
✓ Lumper reimbursement terms, if applicable
✓ Layover and TONU terms
✓ Any special instructions or additional stops
✓ Who to contact if something changes during the load
Quick check: Are the important terms clear before you accept the load?
Get important terms in writing.
If a term matters to the load or your pay, make sure it is documented and confirm the rate confirmation matches what you agreed to before you move the truck.
5. PROTECT THE PAPER TRAIL
What happens during the load can affect what happens after delivery. Document important events while they're happening.
✓ Keep the final rate confirmation
✓ Save written communication about changes or additional charges
✓ Record arrival and departure times
✓ Keep receipts for reimbursable expenses such as lumpers
✓ Document detention, layover, TONU, or other accessorial requests
✓ Keep clear photos of important load documents
✓ Get the BOL/POD signed and dated when required
✓ Report problems or changes as soon as they happen
Quick check: If you had to support a payment or accessorial request later, would your paperwork tell the full story?
Document it while it's happening—not after you've forgotten the details.
Good documentation doesn't guarantee payment, but a clean paper trail can put you in a much better position to support your request.
BEFORE YOU SAY YES, ASK YOURSELF:
1. DOES THE MONEY WORK?
Have I accounted for total miles, deadhead, fuel, time, and my operating costs?
2. HAVE I CHECKED THE BROKER?
Have I verified who I'm doing business with and whether I'm comfortable taking the load?
3. CAN I REALISTICALLY RUN THE LOAD?
Do the appointments, distance, available hours, and expected delays make sense?
4. DO I UNDERSTAND THE TERMS?
Do I know the important terms—and are the terms that matter documented?
5. AM I PREPARED TO DOCUMENT THE LOAD?
Do I know what records, receipts, times, and paperwork I need to keep?
If you can't answer all five confidently, slow down before you commit the truck.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO MANAGE EVERY DETAIL ALONE.
Malone Dispatch Services helps small carriers manage the work behind the load—so you can make informed decisions before you commit your truck and stay organized after you do.
HOW MALONE DISPATCH SERVICES HELPS
FIND LOADS THAT FIT
We search for loads based on your equipment, availability, preferred lanes, home-time needs, and operating preferences.
VERIFY THE BROKER
We review broker information and, when applicable, confirm the broker works with your factoring company before presenting the load.
NEGOTIATE THE LOAD
We negotiate the rate and important terms—including detention, layover, TONU, lumper terms, appointments, and other material details.
YOU MAKE THE FINAL DECISION
We present the negotiated load details to you. Nothing is booked without your approval.
CHECK THE RATE CONFIRMATION
Before the load moves forward, we compare the broker's rate confirmation against the offer you approved and address discrepancies.
STAY ORGANIZED THROUGH CLOSEOUT
We help coordinate communication, track important load details, and organize the paperwork needed to support the load through delivery and closeout.
You drive. We help manage the details behind the load.
READY FOR SUPPORT BEHIND THE LOAD?
If you're a small carrier looking for hands-on dispatch support, Malone Dispatch Services is built to help you stay focused on the road while we help manage the details behind the load.
5% DISPATCH FEE • NO UPFRONT FEE
You pay 5% of linehaul + fuel surcharge on MDS-sourced loads you approve and deliver. Accessorials are excluded.
Not ready for dispatch support yet? Save this guide and use the checklist before your next load.