Trucking: Trucking!, truck broker, shiping

Question
One of my friend want to buy a couple of trucks and used them for shiping( as a freeland). At first he want to find some truck broker.
My question is:
How can he find them?
What is your advice for this kind of business, like what to check first, what kind of trucks to buy, is better to have a couple of broker or many, are the state laws different?
Please I would really appriciate every kind of advice!
Thank you in advance
Ornela

Answer
You might want to be very cautious until the economy starts to come back.  Take a look at this article that just ran today:
http://www.theledger.com/business/business/04truc.HTM
You can get a good price on a used truck but it will be difficult to cover your costs in the current market.  Too many trucks chasing to little freight.
You can locate brokers on the web and they can give you an idea of the rates for the type of freight and the lanes you are interested in.  If you have the cash to buy a late model used truck without any financing you might be able to make it but if you have a truck payment I would wait.
Jim