01
Dry van load sourcing
Search for enclosed-freight opportunities that align with your trailer, location, preferred lanes, and schedule.
EQUIPMENT DISPATCH / DRY VAN
Dry van dispatch that plans beyond delivery.
A dry van load is more than an origin, destination, and rate. Merlin weighs pickup miles, appointment timing, the delivery market, and the next reload so the opportunity can be considered as part of your week.
Your authority. Your choice. No forced dispatch.
DRY VAN LOAD STRATEGY
Know where the load leaves the truck.
General freight can create many possible lanes, but more options do not automatically create a better week. Dry van planning works best when the pickup, delivery, and position after delivery are evaluated together.
- 01
Measure the pickup
Factor the miles to pickup and the appointment window into the opportunity before focusing on loaded miles alone.
- 02
Read the destination market
Consider whether the delivery places the trailer near practical dry van freight or creates a difficult repositioning move.
- 03
Protect the next move
Review likely reload timing and your preferred operating direction so today’s booking supports the rest of the week.
CONNECTED DISPATCH SUPPORT
Dry van support from load search to reload plan.
The dispatch conversation connects freight fit with operating fit. Merlin helps surface the details that matter before booking and stays involved in the coordination around the load.
02
Rate negotiation
Discuss the offered rate with the broker while accounting for pickup distance, timing, and known load requirements.
03
Broker communication
Confirm freight and appointment details and maintain communication around the information needed for the move.
04
Paperwork support
Help keep dispatch documents and load information organized through the agreed document-sharing process.
05
Reload planning
Look at the market after delivery and the timing of the next pickup before the truck reaches the end of the lane.
06
Route and home-time context
Compare opportunities with your preferred operating area and home-time plan rather than treating every lane alike.
LOAD APPROVAL / CARRIER CONTROL
The recommendation is ours. The decision is yours.
Merlin can present the dry van opportunity, discuss the rate, and explain how the destination may affect the next move. You review those details and approve the load before booking. There is no forced dispatch.
- Confirm freight, appointment, and pickup details.
- Review the rate alongside deadhead and destination context.
- Approve or decline before the load is booked.
DISPATCH, EXPLAINED
Dry van dispatch questions.
Need to discuss your setup directly? Call the dispatch team at (816) 750-3988.
Q / 01How does Merlin evaluate a dry van load?
Merlin considers the rate, miles to pickup, appointment timing, load details, destination market, and reload potential, then presents the opportunity for your approval.
Q / 02Does Merlin consider deadhead before presenting a load?
Yes. Pickup distance and other empty-mile considerations are part of evaluating how the opportunity fits your lane and weekly plan.
Q / 03Can I decline a dry van load?
Yes. You approve every load before booking. Merlin does not use forced dispatch.
Q / 04Can my preferred lanes and home time guide the search?
Yes. Share your preferred operating areas and home-time plans so they can be considered with destination markets and reload options.
Q / 05Does support continue after the load is booked?
Merlin supports broker communication, load details, and dispatch paperwork through the agreed process while considering what comes next for the truck.
YOUR NEXT MOVE
Put a smarter plan behind the next load.
Tell us about your equipment, preferred lanes, and operating priorities. We’ll start with a conversation about how you want to run.
Get Started With DispatchText (816) 750-3988