What types of truckload freight does Freight Tec broker? The short answer: van (dry van), flatbed, and specialized truckload freight, along with refrigerated, drayage, intermodal, heavy haul, and expedited options, all coordinated through vetted carrier partners across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Freight Tec operates as a full-service freight brokerage, which means shippers get one point of contact for nearly every truckload freight need. As a result, this breadth of truckload freight brokerage is one of the reasons Freight Tec has been recognized as a Top 100 Freight Broker by TIA and Inc. Magazine for more than three decades.

What Types of Truckload Freight Does Freight Tec Broker?

Freight Tec brokers van, flatbed, specialized, refrigerated, drayage, intermodal, heavy haul, and expedited truckload freight for shippers across dozens of industries, including automotive-sector shipping programs. Each load is matched to a carrier vetted through Freight Tec’s qualification process, so shippers get equipment suited to the freight and carriers get loads that fit their operation.

In particular, this is where a freight broker (a licensed intermediary that arranges transportation between shippers and carriers without owning the trucks itself) earns its value. Freight Tec does not operate a company-owned trucking fleet or an internal brokerage that competes with its own agents; instead, it relies on a nationwide network of independent agent offices and a vetted carrier base. Consequently, shippers get equipment-specific expertise, and carriers get consistent freight opportunities rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. You can learn more about how the process works on the freight broker load-matching page.

Van Freight: The Backbone of Truckload Freight Brokerage

Dry van freight — general commodities loaded into an enclosed 53-foot trailer — remains the most frequently booked category of truckload freight in the country. According to the American Trucking Associations, trucks moved roughly 72% of the nation’s freight tonnage in a recent industry report, and the majority of that volume rides in dry van trailers. Freight Tec brokers van freight for packaged goods, retail products, palletized freight, and non-hazardous automotive-sector components that need protection from weather but not temperature control.

Similarly, van freight tends to have the deepest carrier pool of any equipment type, which usually means faster coverage and more competitive rates. However, availability still swings with the season, fuel prices, and regional freight imbalances. Therefore, an experienced agent who understands lane history and carrier relationships often makes the difference between a load that ships on time and one that sits.

Flatbed and Specialized Truckload Freight for Oversized Loads

Flatbed freight covers open-deck trailers used for building materials, steel, machinery, and equipment that cannot be loaded through trailer doors. In contrast to van freight, flatbed loads require tarping, strapping, and specific weight distribution knowledge, so the carrier pool is smaller and more specialized.

Above all, specialized and heavy haul freight — oversized loads that need permits, escort vehicles, or step-deck and removable-gooseneck (RGN) trailers — demands the most coordination of any truckload category. Freight Tec’s carrier qualification process screens for the insurance, permitting experience, and safety history needed for these loads. For example, this same level of vetting is part of why Freight Tec has been approved to haul sensitive U.S. Military freight following Homeland Security clearance, backed by a $100,000 Military Bond (SDDC).

Refrigerated, Drayage, and Intermodal Truckload Freight Options

Refrigerated, or “reefer,” freight keeps temperature-sensitive products — food, pharmaceuticals, and certain automotive components — within a controlled range from pickup to delivery. Meanwhile, intermodal freight transport (moving a container by rail and truck in the same trip) and drayage (short-haul container moves in and out of ports and rail yards) round out Freight Tec’s core truckload freight options.

In addition, Freight Tec supports expedited freight for time-critical shipments, along with air freight and international freight forwarding for shippers whose supply chains extend beyond North America. Specifically, service extends across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with international capabilities to most global destinations outside a small number of restricted regions. As a result, a shipper with a mixed truckload freight profile — some van, some reefer, some drayage — can consolidate everything with one brokerage rather than juggling multiple vendors.

How Freight Tec Matches Truckload Freight With Qualified Carriers

Regardless of freight type, Freight Tec follows a consistent process to move a load from booking to delivery. Below is the general sequence an agent and shipper can expect.

1. Submit load details. The shipper provides pickup and delivery locations, commodity type, weight, and any special handling needs so the assigned agent can determine the right equipment.
2. Identify the required truckload freight type. The agent confirms whether the load needs van, flatbed, specialized, refrigerated, drayage, or intermodal equipment before sourcing carriers.
3. Match a vetted carrier. Carriers are screened for safety scores, insurance coverage, and lane experience through Freight Tec’s qualification process before they are offered the load.
4. Confirm rate and schedule. The agent finalizes pickup and delivery windows, communicates instructions to the carrier, and tracks the shipment through transit.
5. Deliver, invoice, and protect. After delivery, Freight Tec handles invoicing, claims protection, and carrier payment, including standard 28-day terms or Quick Pay options.

“A shipper shouldn’t have to manage five different vendors for five different equipment types. That’s the job of a freight brokerage — carry the complexity so the shipper doesn’t have to.”

Truckload Freight Types Compared

For a quick comparison, here is how the main truckload freight categories differ by equipment, use case, and the key consideration for each.

Freight Type	Typical Equipment	Best For	Key Consideration
Van (Dry Van)	53′ enclosed trailer	General, palletized, retail freight	Largest carrier pool, most competitive rates
Flatbed	Open deck / step-deck	Building materials, machinery, steel	Tarping and load securement expertise
Specialized / Heavy Haul	RGN, lowboy, multi-axle	Oversized, permitted, heavy equipment loads	Permits, escorts, route surveys
Refrigerated (Reefer)	Temperature-controlled trailer	Food, pharma, climate-sensitive goods	Continuous temperature monitoring
Drayage / Intermodal	Container chassis, rail transfer	Port and rail container moves	Container availability and appointment windows
Expedited	Team drivers, straight trucks	Time-critical shipments	Speed premium versus standard truckload

Why Experienced Freight Agents Choose Freight Tec’s Truckload Freight Program

Handling this many truckload freight categories well requires more than software; it requires agents who already know their customers, their lanes, and their carriers. Consequently, Freight Tec’s Freight Agent Program is built for logistics professionals with 2 or more years of experience whose customers already trust them, not for someone starting from zero.

Freight Tec runs no internal, company-owned brokerage that competes against its own agents for freight, so there is no conflict of interest. Furthermore, Freight Tec is the only company that guarantees in writing it will not back-solicit an agent’s customers should that agent ever choose to leave. In other words, the relationships an agent has built over years stay protected. Agents also get high commission splits, 24/7/365 support, dedicated account protection, and clean invoicing — the exact issues many agents say pushed them away from a previous broker. You can compare this model directly on the Freight Tec vs. other brokers breakdown, or read why experienced agents choose to become independent freight brokers. Carriers, meanwhile, benefit from standard 28-day payment terms or Quick Pay, and shippers get additional insurance coverage and claims protection layered on top of every truckload move.

Carriers themselves are held to a stringent standard: the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the federal agency that regulates commercial trucking safety) sets the baseline compliance rules, and Freight Tec’s own qualification process goes further, screening insurance, safety scores, and lane performance before a carrier ever touches a load. If you are an experienced agent evaluating a change, the Freight Tec agent team page is the next step, and general questions about the brokerage can start at freight-tec.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truckload Freight Brokerage

What is truckload freight brokerage?

Truckload freight brokerage is the arranging of full-trailer shipments between a shipper and a qualified carrier through a licensed intermediary. The broker sources the equipment, vets the carrier, and manages the transaction so the shipper does not have to negotiate directly with dozens of trucking companies.

What types of truckload freight does Freight Tec broker?

When shippers ask, “what types of truckload freight does Freight Tec broker,” the answer covers van, flatbed, specialized, refrigerated, drayage, intermodal, heavy haul, and expedited freight. Freight Tec also arranges LTL, air, and international freight for shippers with broader logistics needs.

How does Freight Tec vet carriers for truckload freight?

Freight Tec runs carriers through a stringent qualification process that checks safety scores, insurance coverage, and lane history before offering a load. In addition, sensitive military freight requires Homeland Security clearance and coverage under a $100,000 Military Bond (SDDC).

Why choose flatbed instead of van freight for oversized loads?

Flatbed and specialized equipment carry freight that cannot fit through a van’s rear doors, such as machinery, steel, or oversized construction materials. In contrast, van freight is enclosed and better suited to packaged goods that need weather protection but no special loading.

What does drayage mean in truckload freight brokerage?

Drayage refers to the short-haul movement of shipping containers between a port or rail yard and a nearby warehouse or distribution center. It is a critical link between ocean or rail transport and the rest of the truckload freight network.

How much does it cost to book truckload freight through a broker?

Truckload freight rates vary by lane, equipment type, fuel prices, and seasonal demand, so there is no single flat price. Generally, working with a broker adds a coordination fee built into the rate, but it often saves money overall by securing better carrier pricing and reducing failed pickups.

How long does it take to secure a truckload carrier?

Standard van freight can often be covered within a few hours when demand is normal. However, specialized, heavy haul, or drayage freight can take longer because permits, escorts, or container availability need to line up first.

What common mistakes do shippers make when booking truckload freight?

A frequent mistake is underestimating dimensions or weight, which leads to the wrong equipment being dispatched. Another common error is booking with a broker that does not vet carriers closely, which increases the risk of delays, damage, or missed pickups.

What best practices help shippers get reliable truckload freight service?

Above all, give the broker accurate weight, dimensions, and delivery windows up front. Similarly, building a relationship with a dedicated agent rather than rotating between brokers tends to produce more consistent capacity and pricing over time.

Does Freight Tec broker international truckload freight?

Yes. Freight Tec arranges international freight forwarding, air freight, and multimodal service across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, plus most international destinations, alongside customs clearance and import/export documentation support.

Can Freight Tec handle automotive-sector truckload freight?

Yes. Freight Tec serves shippers with automotive-sector shipping needs using van, flatbed, and specialized equipment, depending on whether the freight is components, finished parts, or oversized machinery.

What is the difference between LTL and truckload freight?

Truckload freight fills, or nearly fills, an entire trailer for one shipper. LTL, or less-than-truckload freight, combines smaller shipments from multiple shippers into one trailer, which usually costs less but takes longer due to multiple stops.

What support does Freight Tec offer freight agents handling truckload freight?

Freight Tec provides high commission splits, 24/7/365 operational support, accurate invoicing, and a written guarantee not to back-solicit an agent’s customers if they ever leave. Therefore, agents keep ownership of the customer relationships they built.

In summary, the types of truckload freight Freight Tec brokers span van, flatbed, specialized, refrigerated, drayage, intermodal, heavy haul, and expedited freight, backed by more than 30 years of experience, a rigorous carrier qualification process, and recognition as a Top 100 Freight Broker. Whether the load calls for a standard dry van or a permitted heavy haul move, the same vetting and support apply. As a result, shippers get consistent service across every truckload freight category, and experienced freight agents get a program built specifically for professionals whose customers already trust them.