SFF Dispatch

10/21/2026

Bringing your truck to the to the shop will easily cost thousands per trip, especially for repairs. Taking preventative maintenance measures will save you both time and money. Checking engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brakes, tires pre and post trips can help a great deal. Here is a good checklist to follow:

A working semi-truck maintenance checklist: what to inspect daily, preventive maintenance intervals, DOT record rules, and the items fleets never skip.

10/20/2026

Diesel prices have surged 37% year over year. It is now more important than ever to find creative ways to lower cost. Creating a budget and sticking to it is a powerful mechanism. It may not seem that outsourcing tasks such as paperwork, billing, collections saves you money, but having others do that work will allow you to operate the other parts of your business more efficiently.

10/19/2026

When freight rates are strong, it's easy to focus on maximizing today's rate. But one of the best things you can do is position your business to access freight that other carriers can’t. Permits, licenses, and credentials can open doors to specialized freight and higher-paying lanes. A TWIC card, for example, can give you access to maritime ports and secure facilities. Depending on your operating areas, other permits or licenses may allow you to pursue specialized freight, such as alcohol transportation. Use the stronger market to invest in your business, expand your capabilities, and create more opportunities for premium freight.

10/08/2026

An online presence is essential for the long term success for almost every business and that also applies to carriers. Having a way where potential customers can find you through platforms like Google or Facebook will improve your business dramatically. Unfortunately, an online presence is not a one-time set it and forget it tool. You do not need to hire an expensive marketing agency for a strong online presence, but you need to keep building it and integrate it to your business as part of your regular operations.

10/07/2026

Knowing your cost per mile is extremely powerful. I understand that there’s a lot to manage in your trucking business: finding loads, talking to brokers, keeping track of your drivers, etc. Develop a way to keep track of your CPM, ensuring that any new expenses are reflected in the calculation is one key step to becoming or staying profitable.

Knowing how to calculate cost per mile is a big part of running a successful trucking business. Read more to learn what to include in your calculation.

10/06/2026

After years of challenging rates, the market is finally giving carriers some breathing room. But a stronger market shouldn't mean abandoning the habits that helped you survive the downturn. Habits such as keeping your finances in check, building an online presence, and developing strong relationships with brokers/shippers during any part of the economic cycle will help you stay profitable even during downturns. Survive the downturn. Learn from it. Use the recovery to build a stronger business.

10/05/2026

Higher rates create an opportunity—but now is not the time to abandon the business habits that helped you survive the downturn. Continue building your online presence. Strengthen relationships with brokers and shippers so you can reduce reliance on load boards and earn premium rates.

09/24/2026

Freight rates may be improving, but don't let higher revenue distract you from protecting your margins. Profit isn't determined by what you earn—it's determined by what you keep. Knowing your CPM allows you to make better decisions on every load, negotiate with confidence, and spot increasing expenses before they impact your bottom line. Strong markets are a great time to strengthen your business, not relax your financial discipline.

09/23/2026

Do you want or need to grow the number of trucks in your fleet within the next year? Higher freight rates are making many carriers think about adding trucks again. Growth can be a great opportunity—but don't confuse a stronger market with a permanent one. Expand when your business systems, cash flow, and customer base are ready—not simply because rates are higher this month. The goal isn't just to build a bigger fleet. It's to build a more profitable one.

09/22/2026

In an industry like the US trucking industry, you have to find a way to stand out. DOT reports that there are almost 1 million for-hire carriers. Just accepting loads from the load board and having a consistent record of hauling loads safely from Point A to Point B is not enough to help you stand out. Take steps to go that extra mile to get consistent freight at premium rates.

How many trucking companies are in the US? What's the state of truck drivers shortage at the moment? How pandemic had changed trucking? Let's explore!