Less Freight, More Trucks Push Spot Truckload Rates Lower

Average DAT spot market rates over the past four weeks. Graphic: DAT

A decline in the amount of freight on the spot truckload market coupled with an increase in the number of trucks needing cargo,pushed rates down across the board, according to new weekly figures from DAT Solutions that are based on its network of load boards.

Overall freight availability fell 6.2% while truck postings increased 3.1% for the week ending August 13 compared to the previous week as the average diesel fuel price declined 0.4% to $2.31 per gallon.

The average dry van rate gave up 3 cents, hitting $1.61 per mile, which included a 1-cent drop in the average fuel surcharge. While outbound rates increased in Seattle and Allentown, they fell in Chicago and Atlanta. The average dry van rate is now lower than the June average for the first time in six weeks, a transition that typically occurs in the first week of July, according to DAT.

Likewise, the average reefer rate lost 3 cents, registering $1.90 per mile and is down 6 cents from three weeks earlier. Reefer prices rose in major markets in the Midwest, but were lower in the Northeast.

Flatbeds posted the smallest drop, just 1-cent and entirely due to a decline in the fuel surcharge, pushing the average rate to where it was two weeks earlier at $1.92 per mile.

Not surprisingly, with less freight and a hike in the number of truck postings, load-to-truck ratios fell in all three freight categories. The biggest was in the flatbed sector, falling 14% to 11 loads per truck. Flatbed load posts declined 11% last week while truck posts increased 4%.

The 7% drop in the van load-to-truck ratio happened as van load posts declined 4% last week and truck posts increased 3% yielding 2.5 loads per truck. Reefers were not far behind with a 5.5% drop. Reefer load posts edged down 3% last week while truck posts added 3%. That resulted in the load-to-truck ratio moving to 5 to 1.

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Power Tail Trailer Made for Hauling Construction Equipment

XL Specialized Trailers has released the XL 80 Power Tail trailer, designed for transporting medium-duty construction equipment.

The trailer features a hydraulic, fold-under flip tail for quick loading and unloading of hard-to-load equipment. With a load angle of ten degrees, the hydraulic tail is equipped to handle man lifts, rollers, forklifts and paving equipment. The XL Power Tail is rated at 80,000 pounds overall and 50,000 pounds concentrated in 10 feet.

The tail has a lifting capacity of 25,000 pounds for loads centered on the main platform. The tail is made up of two sections, an 8-foot, 8-inch platform ramp and a 60-inch flip tail. Lug-style hinges prevent debris from accumulating to keep hinge points clean.

The trailer offers standard features to make drivers' jobs easier: a hydraulic pop-up ramp connecting the deck to the gooseneck, a foot hole and grab handle on each side of the gooseneck for climbing onto the deck, an 18,000-pound hydraulic winch with a two-function wireless remote and an air kick-out for hauling inoperable equipment or static loads. Raised Apitong and quarter-inch self-cleaning star traction decking, D-ring stake pockets, chain slots and a work light can also add convenience.

The XL 80 Power Tail is available in two lengths: 48 feet or 53 feet. There are customized options to choose from such as an 8- or 10-function remote, workaround pulley for winch cable, steel tread plate on the flip tail and pop-up ramp, and various winches to customize the trailer for specific needs.

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