Conestoga dispatch for owner-operators
Flatbed with a sliding tarp system: side loading with covered protection.
We find and negotiate conestoga loads on your lanes, coordinate pickups and deliveries, and handle detention, TONU, lumper and paperwork. 5% of the rate con or $250 a week, no contract.
Conestoga
A flatbed or step deck with a rolling tarp system that slides open for side or top loading and closes to cover the freight. No manual tarping.
Freight it commonly carries
- Machinery that must stay dry
- Finished building materials
- Coated or finished steel and aluminum
- Freight that needs side loading and protection
Typical shipments
- Finished metal products to a fabricator
- Packaged building materials to a supplier
- Machinery that can't be exposed to weather
Equipment & capacity considerations
- Check interior dimensions with the tarp system closed.
- The tarp frame reduces usable height compared with an open flatbed.
- Confirm how the shipper loads: side, top or rear.
- Securement rules still apply under the tarp.
Common challenges
- Freight that doesn't fit the covered height
- Fewer conestoga-specific loads in some areas
- Shippers who require specific equipment features
How THC dispatch helps
- Find loads that need covered, side-loaded equipment
- Confirm dimensions against your closed-tarp clearance
- Check shipper equipment requirements before booking
- Coordinate loading arrangements
Check before accepting a load
- Freight dimensions against inside clearance
- Loading method at pickup
- Securement requirements
- Any shipper-specific equipment rules
General industry information. Weight, dimensions, permits and endorsements are checked for each load against current rules.
Conestoga dispatch pricing
Same two options for every truck type. You choose.
5%
of the rate confirmation total (linehaul + fuel surcharge)
$250
per week, only for weeks we book at least one load
No contract. Accessorials such as detention, layover, TONU and lumper are not included in the 5%. Compare both options with an example week.
Start conestoga dispatch
A dispatcher contacts you to talk through your lanes and loads. Asking costs nothing.
Conestoga dispatch questions
Why would a shipper want a conestoga instead of a tarped flatbed?
The rolling tarp covers freight quickly and fully, which can mean less exposure and less handling. Some shippers specify it for finished or weather-sensitive products.
Can a conestoga haul regular flatbed loads?
Often, if the freight fits within the clearance of the tarp frame. We check dimensions before booking.
How is the dispatch fee calculated?
You choose one: 5% of the rate confirmation total (linehaul + fuel surcharge), or $250 per week, only for weeks we book at least one load. Accessorials such as detention, layover, TONU and lumper are not included in the 5%.
Are loads or rates guaranteed?
No. Load availability, rates, accessorial approvals and payment timing depend on the market, the broker and the agreements for each load.
Who approves each load?
You do. We don't book a load without your OK.