Author

Marcus Reed

Head of Dispatch Operations · 14+ years in trucking

Marcus Reed leads Bonafide Trucking Solutions' dispatch desk. Before joining Bonafide he ran his own 6-truck flatbed fleet out of the Permian Basin for nine years and personally drove team OTR on dry van. His writing focuses on practical rate-per-mile improvements, broker vetting, and how small carriers can use lane data to negotiate above market.

Expertise

Flatbed & step-deck dispatch
Rate negotiation
Owner-operator coaching
Lane analytics

Credentials

• 14+ years in trucking operations
• Former OTR owner-operator
• DAT power user

Articles by Marcus Reed

What Is a Truck Dispatcher? (Plain-English Guide)A truck dispatcher is a paid agent of a motor carrier who books freight, negotiates rate, and handles paperwork — without holding FMCSA broker authority.
How Much Do Truck Dispatch Services Cost in 2026?U.S. truck dispatch services cost 5–10% of gross load revenue. Owner-operators pay 8–10%; fleets pay 5–7%. Reputable shops charge no setup fee.
12 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Truck DispatcherVet any U.S. truck dispatcher in one 15-minute call with these 12 questions on RPM, credit vetting, rate-con workflow, and after-hours coverage.
How to Become an Owner-Operator in 2026 (Step-by-Step With Real Costs)The 2026 owner-operator playbook: FMCSA authority ($300 MC + $46 UCR), $12K–$20K first-year insurance, 18-month new-entrant audit, ELD & Clearinghouse compliance, and how to pick a dispatcher who protects your net profit per mile — not just your miles.
The Best Trailer to Buy as a New Owner-OperatorDry van, reefer, or flatbed for your first trailer — pay differences, maintenance burden, load availability, and regional demand for 2026.
How to Negotiate Freight Rates Above PostedA repeatable script that adds $0.10–$0.25/mi to most brokered loads — lane-rate research, opening quote, and accessorial asks that brokers say yes to.
Do Truck Dispatchers Care If You Make Money? Here's How to TellSome truck dispatchers care about your net profit — most don't. The difference comes down to how they're paid and how they measure success. Here's how to tell them apart.