Flatbed dispatch services for owner operators

What the 5% dispatch fee includes

Rai Dispatch charges 5% of gross revenue on loads we book for flatbeds. Confirm the billing base and service scope in writing before onboarding. Fee schedule effective October 30, 2026.

• A dedicated truck dispatcher for your truck
• Load search and carrier approved booking
• Freight rate negotiation with brokers
• Broker communication from pickup to delivery
• Lane and route planning
• Rate confirmations and paperwork support
• 24/7 live dispatch support for active carriers

No forced dispatch: you approve every load before it is booked. We dispatch under your MC authority and never collect freight payments; brokers pay you or your factoring company.

Documents to start: Prepare your operating authority details where applicable, Certificate of Insurance, W-9, equipment specifications, and a signed dispatch agreement. A factoring notice of assignment may also be needed. Broker requirements vary by load and carrier.

Know the commodity and the loading requirements

Building materials, fabricated products and machinery can create very different jobs on the same trailer. We seek the cargo dimensions, weight, loading and unloading method, and any overhang or special handling requirements before booking.

Share your deck length, usable space, legal payload and securement equipment. The carrier must determine that the load can be transported safely and lawfully. A dispatcher can collect specifications and ask questions, but cannot replace the carrier’s securement judgment.

Price the work as well as the miles

Tarping, multiple picks and delivery site delays can change the economics of a flatbed load. We discuss whether tarps are required, their size, expected loading time and any special gear requested. These details should be reflected in the written agreement.

We help compare total miles and schedule demands with your operating preferences. A nearby job with several hours of site work may use more of the day than a longer run with straightforward loading.

• Confirm tarp dimensions and commodity protection requirements.
• Ask about forklift or crane access and site appointments.
• Treat oversized, overweight or permit dependent freight as a separate review.

You keep the final load decision

We support the freight search, rate discussion, broker calls and documents while you decide which loads fit your equipment and business. Tell us about preferred commodities, weather related limits and any handling you decline.

Percentage dispatch fees are 5%, with the specific billing terms agreed before service. Specialized or permit dependent freight is not automatically included; scope and capability must be confirmed first.

Flatbed load search based on the work at each site

Flatbed dispatch is more useful when the proposal explains what the driver will do at pickup and delivery. We ask about piece dimensions, loading equipment, access and protection requirements alongside the rate. Tell us whether your operation accepts tarping, additional stops or particular loading environments.

Two jobs with the same route can involve different work. One may load quickly at a prepared yard; another may depend on a crane appointment or access to a construction site. We collect those details so your decision includes the time and tasks the trip will actually require.

Recheck the load when the shipper changes the details

A cargo change can invalidate an earlier fit review. If a piece becomes longer, heavier or differently packaged, ask for the updated information before relying on the original booking. The carrier needs to reassess deck space, loading, protection and securement for the actual shipment.

We coordinate the clarification and any approved changes to the written terms. A dispatcher’s task is to keep the information and people aligned; the carrier and driver decide whether the load can be moved safely with their equipment. Keep the revised instructions accessible instead of leaving the driver to reconcile several messages at the gate.

The published flatbed dispatch fee is 5%. We discuss the billing base and scope before starting, including how approved accessorials are treated. Use our flatbed and tarping guide for a detailed review worksheet, then bring your actual deck, gear, accepted commodities and lane preferences to the service fit conversation.