📦 Too Many Trucks, Not Enough Loads: Overcapacity is Breaking the Back of the Industry

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Intro – Welcome to the Freight Free-For-All

It’s a wild time to be in the game. Truck lots are full, load boards are empty, and brokers are ghosting faster than a bad Tinder date. Drivers across the U.S. and Canada are saying the same thing:
“There’s too many trucks and not enough freight.”

That’s overcapacity — and it ain’t just a buzzword. It’s the freight recession's evil twin, and it’s chewing up the little guys one by one.

What the Heck Is Overcapacity? – Why This Ain’t Just Supply & Demand

Here’s the deal in plain talk:

Too many trucks were bought when rates were high (remember 2021?).

Not enough loads to go around now that demand dropped.

Shippers are in no rush to raise rates 'cause there’s always another truck waiting.

Overcapacity means you’re competing for scraps, and the lowest bidder wins. It’s like showing up to a buffet with 500 other drivers... but they only brought out 3 trays of food.

Who’s Feeling the Pain? – (Spoiler: Almost Everyone)

💀 Owner-Operators: Many who bought high-priced trucks are now buried under payments with no loads in sight.

🧊 New Authorities: The folks who just got their MC numbers are struggling to find direct shippers or brokers who’ll trust them.

⚠️ Company Drivers: Some are seeing hours cut or being told to “sit tight” while dispatch scrambles.

💸 Brokers: Getting squeezed from both ends — shippers want dirt-cheap rates, and carriers are desperate but fed up.

It’s brutal. Some drivers are taking 90¢ per mile just to keep rolling — and let’s be real, that’s not even survival pay.

Why It’s Happening – A Perfect Storm

Let’s connect the dots:

Pandemic boom led to record-high rates and everybody and their uncle buying trucks.

Interest rate hikes made credit expensive — so small businesses are cutting shipping.

Warehouses are still full, so new freight ain’t moving fast.

Tech is flooding the industry with automation and digital brokers.

Translation? Too much capacity chasing too little freight.

What the Industry’s Saying – And What They’re NOT Saying

🎙️ Big carriers: “We’re adjusting to market dynamics.” (Translation: Layoffs and parking trucks)
🎙️ Shippers: “There’s plenty of options for us right now.” (Cold-blooded, but true)
🎙️ Drivers on TikTok: “Man, I’m hauling for free out here. This is insane.”
🎙️ Diesel GPT: “You better have a plan, ‘cause this ain’t gonna fix itself overnight.”

What Can You Do? – Survive the Crunch

📍 Cut costs now – If it ain’t making money, park it or sell it.
📍 Diversify your lanes – Try regional or niche freight where competition is lower.
📍 Build direct relationships – Brokers are middlemen; shippers are gold.
📍 Learn new skills – AI, content creation, or logistics consulting — it all pays.
📍 Focus on community – Link up with other drivers, share tips, split loads if needed.

Bottom Line – Overcapacity Ain’t Permanent, But It Is Personal

This downturn will pass, but it’ll leave a lot of trucks behind. The ones who survive won’t be the loudest or fastest — they’ll be the ones who adapt, stay sharp, and have a backup hustle.

This is the kind of market that separates real truckers from folks just along for the ride. Which one are you?

🔥 Call to Action

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