Hopper / Bulk dispatch for owner-operators
Trailer for loose bulk freight such as grain and feed.
We find and negotiate hopper / bulk 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.
Hopper / Bulk
A bulk trailer, such as a hopper bottom, that is loaded from the top and unloads through gates at the bottom. Used for loose dry commodities.
Freight it commonly carries
- Grain such as corn, wheat and soybeans
- Animal feed
- Fertilizer and other compatible dry bulk
Typical shipments
- Grain from a farm or elevator to a processor
- Feed from a mill to livestock operations
- Seasonal harvest hauling
Equipment & capacity considerations
- Commodity compatibility: what was hauled before matters, and cleaning may be required.
- Scale tickets are usually used for weight; stay within legal limits.
- Unloading arrangements and wait times vary by elevator or plant.
- Some bulk products have special handling or regulatory requirements.
Common challenges
- Long lines at elevators during harvest
- Seasonal demand swings
- Cleaning requirements between different commodities
How THC dispatch helps
- Find bulk loads that match your trailer and previous loads
- Confirm commodity, weight and cleaning requirements before booking
- Document waits at elevators and plants
- Organize scale tickets with your paperwork
Check before accepting a load
- Commodity and compatibility with your last load
- Weight and scale-ticket requirements
- Loading and unloading times and locations
- Cleaning or washout requirements
General industry information. Weight, dimensions, permits and endorsements are checked for each load against current rules.
Hopper / Bulk 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 hopper / bulk dispatch
A dispatcher contacts you to talk through your lanes and loads. Asking costs nothing.
Hopper / Bulk dispatch questions
Do I need to clean my hopper between loads?
Often, depending on what you hauled before and what the next shipper requires. We confirm cleaning requirements before booking.
Why are scale tickets important for bulk loads?
Bulk freight is often paid and checked by weight. Scale tickets document the load and help keep you legal. We help organize them with your other paperwork.
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.