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Cowtown Logistics is a technology-driven 3PL connecting shippers, carriers, and agents across North America — with the speed and reliability the industry demands.

8 Tips to Find the Best Trucking Broker Company for Your Business

8 Tips to Find the Best Trucking Broker Company for Your Business

Finding a freight broker for your kind of goods can be quite daunting. Freight brokers are important to service providers for most businesses. Particularly, they are of great help to the trucking industry.

A freight broker or freight brokerage company is responsible for linking the shipper with the most suitable and reliable carrier. Although there are various trucking broker companies around, not all of them are fit for you.

Here are 8 tips to help you find the best trucking broker company for your business:

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Shipping Fragile Items: Freight Logistics Companies' Approach

Shipping Fragile Items: Freight Logistics Companies' Approach

Shipping fragile items is a task that requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of the specific requirements of delicate products. This isn’t merely a matter of transporting an item from one place to another — it’s about guaranteeing that the fragile item reaches its destination in pristine condition. Choosing a logistics partner, such as Cowtown Logistics, is critical for anyone who needs to ship fragile items.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the logistic solutions that companies use to preserve the integrity of your goods, as well as what methods you can use for packaging, being sure that the right materials are used, the right box is selected and that not a single thing will be damaged throughout the delivery process.

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State-By-State Guide to Commercial Trucking Insurance Requirements

State-By-State Guide to Commercial Trucking Insurance Requirements

Commercial trucking insurance plays an important role in operating a trucking company like Cowtown Logistics, ensuring financial protection and compliance. In this comprehensive guide, join us as we explore the diverse insurance requirements imposed by each state across the United States.

From operating authority and freight minimum limits to nationwide freight shipping , we delve into the essential components and regulations to help trucking businesses navigate the complex landscape of commercial trucking insurance.

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State-By-State Trailer Length & Trailer Overhang Regulations: A Comprehensive Guide

State-By-State Trailer Length & Trailer Overhang Regulations: A Comprehensive Guide

At Cowtown Logistics, we specialize in the nuances of oversized freight trucking services . As experienced professionals, we know that navigating the complexities of trailer overhang maximum limits and regulations is crucial to avoid expensive setbacks and legal complications. We’ve assembled this guide to help you master the essentials and guarantee your upcoming shipment is in full compliance.

Defining Trailer Overhang and Its Implications

Trailer overhang, at its core, represents the portion of a load extending beyond the rear of a vehicle, most notably flatbed trailers. This seemingly straightforward concept carries a significant amount of regulatory weight, governed by a mix of federal and state laws. To navigate these legal dimensions, you’ll need an in-depth understanding of terms like the “legal overhang limit,” “rear overhang limitation,” and “maximum overhang.” Each motor vehicle, be it a truck tractor, or other type of vehicle, has an associated legal length beyond which the load should not extend.

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Permit Fees for Overdimension Loads: All You Need to Know

Permit Fees for Overdimension Loads: All You Need to Know

At Cowtown Logistics, a premier DFW-based freight shipping & 3PL company serving all 48 continental states, we understand the complex regulations surrounding oversized loads. Throughout this article, our knowledgeable team aims to demystify the intricacies of permit fees for overdimension loads to help you make informed decisions for your shipments.

Overdimension loads, often referred to as oversize loads, play a critical role in the transportation industry. They’re typically larger or heavier than legally allowed on the road without obtaining a special permit. Given their size and weight, these loads require careful consideration to remain safe and compliant with state regulations.

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Heavy Machinery Freight Shipping Services: Lean What You Should Know about Heavy Machinery Transport

Heavy Machinery Freight Shipping Services: Lean What You Should Know about Heavy Machinery Transport

You can ship your parts across the continent with the right machinery trucking company. In fact, the right machinery shipping services can get your parts around the globe. This kind of freight shipping is more involved than just putting something in the mail, however, and things can get complicated fast across international borders. The right machinery shipping company can get the job done, and CTE has expertise in heavy machinery shipping. Count on our vast fleet and deep industry experience to handle your heavy machinery shipping.

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Heavy Equipment Transport Services: the Complete Guide on Heavy Equipment Shipping

Heavy Equipment Transport Services: the Complete Guide on Heavy Equipment Shipping

Your Comprehensive Guide to Heavy Equipment Transportation ServicesFreight haulers, governments, shipping companies, and freight brokers are all involved with heavy equipment transport services in their own ways, and it all adds up to keeping the shipping supply chains many nations rely on moving constantly. These days, more flexibility and better planning are necessary, as there are always rapid shifts happening in the shipping patterns connecting production with trade. Shipping heavy equipment isn’t the same as just a few years ago, as broad changes happen frequently, requiring proper response measures.

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Top 20 Largest Cargo Airports in the United States

Top 20 Largest Cargo Airports in the United States

Did you know that cargo airports are a vital part of the United States economy? In fact, the top 20 largest cargo airports in the country account for billions of dollars in economic output each year. These airports play a crucial role in moving goods and products around the country and the world. And air truck freighting is one of the most efficient ways to move time-sensitive or perishable items. In this blog post, we will take a look at the top 20 largest cargo airports in the United States!

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Motor Shipping Services: Learn Everything You Should Know about Shipping a Motor

Motor Shipping Services: Learn Everything You Should Know about Shipping a Motor

Engine shipping services are subjected to rigid rules and regulations that many people might not consider. Motor transportation services have to package things carefully, and that’s why you should turn to engine freight shipping services for any motor freight shipping.

This is a hazardous material situation, and most engine shipping goes through 3-PL providers who offer better motor shipping services than the USPS does. They have years of experience in engine transportation services and have a vast network of engine transport carriers to get your shipment where it needs to be without hassle.

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Tare Weight vs Net Weight vs Gross Weight: What’s the Difference?

Tare Weight vs Net Weight vs Gross Weight: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to shipping and transporting goods, there are a lot of different terms that you need to be familiar with. Today, we’re going to focus on three of the most important terms: tare weight, net weight, and gross weight. Freight trucking companies will use all three of these weights when quoting prices and determining how much your shipment will cost. In this blog post, we’ll discuss these concepts in more detail and explain how US gross weight trucking regulations apply to them. Read on to learn more!

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Top 10 Largest US Ports: Major USA Cargo Hubs Guide

Top 10 Largest US Ports: Major USA Cargo Hubs Guide

The United States is a land of vast distances and incredible natural beauty. It’s also a country with a thriving economy, thanks in large part to its impressive transportation infrastructure. And freight trucking from ports plays a vital role in keeping the US economy moving. In this blog post, we will discuss the 10 largest US ports and what makes them so important for cargo traffic. In this post, we’re going to be using the term “TEU” frequently, which is a measuring unit that refers to the number of twenty-foot containers (twenty-foot equivalent units).

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How Expedited Freight Shipping Helps Businesses Avoid Costly Delays

How Expedited Freight Shipping Helps Businesses Avoid Costly Delays

Late deliveriescost American businesses billions every year in lost sales, penalties, andbroken customer trust. In industries where timing is critical, delays can stopproduction lines, leave store shelves empty, and damage long-term relationshipswith clients. That is why many companies turn to expedited freight shippingin Texas as a solution. This service ensures urgent shipments reach theirdestinations faster, reducing risks and keeping operations on track.

Why TimingMatters in Modern Supply Chains

Every businessruns on schedules. Manufacturers depend on raw materials to arrive on time,retailers rely on stocked shelves, and healthcare facilities require urgentsupplies. A single delay can create a domino effect across the chain. Customersmay cancel orders, penalties may be charged, and companies may struggle torecover lost time. Expedited freight shipping was created to prevent theseissues. It provides direct routes, fewer transfers, and prioritized handling,which all add up to faster, more reliable delivery.

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The Difference Between Consignor and Consignee in Freight Shipping

The Difference Between Consignor and Consignee in Freight Shipping

Any freight transaction will involve multiple parties. As such, there are many terms involved, and sometimes they can get confusing, and many may not know what is a consignee. For instance, many people unfamiliar with freight shipping services might not know that there’s no real difference in terms of consignor vs shipper.

There is a difference in consignor vs consignee, however. One is a shipper or sender, whereas the other is the recipient. The deliverer or carrier is who connects the two. Keeping all this straight helps you know and meet your own personal responsibilities because consignee and consignor are not the same things.

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Freight Importing 101: Customs Clearance Fees and Paperwork

Freight Importing 101: Customs Clearance Fees and Paperwork

Whether you’re dealing with a single clearance fee or multiple custom clearance fees, there can be substantial paperwork involved with shipping freight from Canada . While business can be good in other countries, your business will come to a crawl or even completely stop if your freight is stuck at the border. Having to clear customs is a crucial step in moving goods across international borders in a time of shipping backlogs and tariff wars between different countries. Making sure you handle all the intricacies helps your business so you keep your profits coming in as quickly as possible and deliveries to clients on a good schedule.

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Intermodal vs OTR Freight Shipping: Pros and Cons

Intermodal vs OTR Freight Shipping: Pros and Cons

Freight shipping is important in this country. Ground transportation includes over the road transportation or intermodal cargo shipping (truck, rail). Over the road freight shipping offers safety, security, flexibility, and size. We have made a guide to compare the pros and cons of trains vs trucks.

What Is Over the Road (OTR) Transportation?

Over the road transportation refers to freight transported only by truck over long distances. OTR transportation requires drivers on the road for several days, driving hundreds of miles, and hauling a variety of freight. Over the road transportation is ideal as a major ground transportation option.

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Legal Axle Weight Limits for Trucks: Heavy Haul Weight Limits by State

Legal Axle Weight Limits for Trucks: Heavy Haul Weight Limits by State

The backbone of our economy — the heavy haul trucking services — serves as the lifeline for transporting essential goods across long distances. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and ensuring the safety of both drivers and infrastructure requires stringent regulations on truck weight, with a particular focus on axle weight distribution.

These regulations are based on broader area results in a more evenly distributed force, reducing its severity. Adding more axles and space helps accommodate greater load weight on the truck and trailer.

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Shipping Lingo Explained: Most Common Shipping Terms Used in Freight Industry

Shipping Lingo Explained: Most Common Shipping Terms Used in Freight Industry

In the world of shipping freight , there are many common shipping terms. Shipping lingo might seem like a language all its own, but knowing what these freight terms actually mean is important to your success.

A

  • Accessorial: Extra services on freight shipments.
  • Accessorial Charges: Charges for extra services.
  • Accounts Payable: Billing department personnel that make payments.
  • Accounts Receivable: Personnel in the billing department collecting payments.
  • Adjustments: Costs happening after shipment delivery.
  • Agent: Professional with some decision-making authority to represent someone else.
  • Air Bill: Air transportation documentation about shipment.
  • Air Cargo: Freight that flies by plane.
  • Air Freight Forwarder: Indirect air carriers who do pickup and deliveries.
  • Arrival Notice: Agents receive these when cargo is at its destination.
  • Articles of Extraordinary Value: Must be listed in published classifications for liability coverage.
  • Auditing: Determines additional charges prior to the final bill.
  • Axle Load: Weight that freight puts on roads.

B

  • Backhaul: Transit for repositioning a truck after an initial load.
  • Beneficial Owner: Property rights of freight belonging to someone else other than the shipper.
  • Billing: Business department handling payment and invoices.
  • Bill of Lading: BOL documentation is given to the carrier when freight is picked up.
  • Blind Shipment: The receiver and shipper aren’t aware of each other.
  • Blocking and Bracing: Wood or other supports that keep shipments in their place during transit.
  • Bogie: Rail shipping terms for a wheeled frame to move containers.
  • Bonded Warehouse: Customs warehouse to keep imports until duties are paid.
  • Bracing: Technique to secure freight in a full truck.
  • Breaking Bulk: One heap is distributed from a single shipper to various agents.
  • Break Bulk Point: Place where break bulks happen.
  • Broker: 3PL connects customers with carriers.
  • Brokerage License: Mandatory document brokers need to make arrangements for freight shipping.
  • Bulk Freight: Not in containers or packages.
  • Bundle: Products grouped together, usually unassembled.
  • Business to Business: B2B shipments happen between companies.

C

shipping lingo

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Choosing a Warehousing Service Provider: Warehouse Selection Tips

Choosing a Warehousing Service Provider: Warehouse Selection Tips

The acquisition of an adequate warehouse facility, which can cost well into the millions of dollars even for a modestly sized space, is an expensive endeavor. Think about all the factors to consider in warehouse layout alone!

Additionally, there are ancillary expenses like equipment purchases, building maintenance, and staffing costs. However, a third-party logistics provider already has the necessary infrastructure and personnel.

Although it costs money to partner with them, 3PLs offer a proven, tested, and optimized service. In addition to being faster, a partnership approach can be cheaper than setting up internal warehouse space from scratch.

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