Step 1 — Measure and weigh
Before you talk to anyone:
- **Dimensions**: length × width × height of the largest piece. For pallets, count pallet positions (one standard pallet = 48"×40" footprint).
- **Weight**: total weight of the shipment. If you don't have a scale, residential bathroom-scale arithmetic (weigh yourself with the box, subtract you alone) is fine within 5 lb. For pallets, the manufacturer or supplier almost always knows.
- **Class** (LTL only): freight class 50–500. If you don't know, the lookup at https://www.nmfta.org or any 3PL quoting tool will give you the class from dimensions + density + handling.
For full-truckload (FTL) on GetHaulDirect, weight + equipment type are the two numbers that matter. Class isn't asked.
Step 2 — Pick the equipment type
- **Dry van** (53' enclosed trailer, ~48 standard pallets) — default for non-perishable, non-temperature-sensitive freight.
- **Reefer** (refrigerated trailer) — frozen / chilled / temperature-controlled. Carriers set the temperature to your spec at pickup.
- **Flatbed** — oversize, construction materials, machinery. Tarping and securement are extra services usually quoted.
- **Step deck** — specialty oversize where the deck is lower than a flatbed for height clearance.
- **Box truck** (typically 26' Class-6) — short-haul, ~10–12 standard pallets, no CDL required for the driver if under 26,001 lb GVWR. Common for in-region freight.
- **Sprinter / cargo van** — small loads, time-sensitive, expedited. No CDL required.
GetHaulDirect routes loads automatically to carriers with matching equipment — pick the right type and the matching engine does the rest.
Step 3 — Pick origin and destination, with windows
Address detail matters. "Atlanta, GA" works for the matching engine but the carrier needs:
- Pickup full address with ZIP
- Receiving / loading hours (most warehouses are 7am–4pm; some FCFS, some appointment)
- Contact name and phone for the dock
- Delivery full address with ZIP
- Delivery hours (residential vs commercial — residential needs lift-gate often, costs more)
- Contact at delivery
Appointment-only deliveries take longer to schedule; FCFS (first come, first served) deliveries can be hit same-day if equipment is available.
Step 4 — Set a fair rate
Rate per mile is the industry currency. Typical 2026 spot-market ranges:
- Dry van: $1.80–$2.50/mile
- Reefer: $2.20–$3.00/mile
- Flatbed: $2.50–$3.50/mile
Multiply by your lane miles for a starting bid. Add 10–20% for short hauls (under 200 miles) where deadhead pickup is harder.
GetHaulDirect's matching engine routes the load to lane-fit carriers; if no one accepts within 60 seconds, the rate is too low for that lane. Bump it 5–10% and the engine retries.
Step 5 — Post the load
On GetHaulDirect:
1. /dashboard/loads → Post New Load
2. Three-step wizard: route + dates → equipment + weight → rate + contacts
3. Submit. The system charges your card for load value + 5% platform fee in Stripe escrow at acceptance time, not at posting.
The load is now visible to the matching engine. Carriers with matching equipment + fair home-base distance see it in their offer queue. Each carrier has 60 seconds to accept before the offer routes to the next-best carrier.
Step 6 — Accepted: monitor pickup
When a carrier accepts:
- Their company name and FMCSA-verified status appear on the load
- The shipment moves into "Booked" status
- The carrier contacts you to confirm pickup window
You can message the carrier directly through the platform thread — no phone tag.
Step 7 — In transit and delivery
The carrier updates status as they progress:
- Driving to pickup
- Loading
- In transit
- Unloading
- Checkout
- Delivered
Live GPS positions update every 30 seconds during transit. POD (proof of delivery — typically a signed bill of lading photo) is uploaded at delivery.
Step 8 — Funds release
On POD upload, Stripe automatically:
- Releases 95% to the carrier's Stripe Connect account
- Routes the 5% platform fee to GetHaulDirect
Your card was charged at acceptance; this just settles the held funds. Carrier ACH typically lands in their bank in 2 business days.
If there's a delivery dispute (cargo damage, missing pieces), open a thread on the load — the platform mediates and funds stay in escrow until resolved.