How to Help Carriers With Cash Flow. Helping freight carriers (especially small and mid-sized trucking companies) improve cash flow requires addressing their biggest pressure points: slow-paying shippers/brokers, fuel costs, equipment expenses, and unpredictable freight volume. Here are practical ways to help.
Offer Freight Factoring (Fastest Impact)
TAFS | RTS Financial | Apex Capital
What it does:
Factoring companies pay carriers 80–95% of their invoice immediately, instead of waiting 30–60+ days.
How it helps cash flow:
- Immediate working capital
- Covers fuel, payroll, maintenance
- Reduces need for high-interest loans
Best for: Small fleets (1–20 trucks) and owner-operators.
2. Quick Pay Programs (Broker Side)
If you’re a broker or 3PL, offer:
- 2–7 day quick pay
- Discounted early payment (e.g., 2–3%)
This builds loyalty and keeps carriers prioritizing your freight.
3. Fuel Cards & Fuel Discount
Comdata | WEX | EFS
Fuel is often 25–35% of operating costs.
Helping with fuel cards:
- Per-gallon discounts
- Credit terms
- Weekly billing instead of daily cash outflow
This smooths weekly cash requirements.
4. Structured Rate Negotiation
Encourage carriers to:
- Know cost per mile (CPM)
- Avoid low-margin freight
- Add fuel surcharges
- Negotiate detention pay
Better margins = healthier cash flow.
5. Equipment Financing Restructure
If a carrier is tight on cash:
- Refinance trucks
- Extend loan terms
- Convert balloon payments
- Explore lease-to-own options
Lower monthly payments reduce pressure.
Tools that help:
- Load boards
- Route optimization software
- Backhaul planning
Reducing empty miles directly increases revenue per mile.
How to Help Carriers With Cash Flow
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