Freight shipping companies offer different shipping methods. Making a choice will determine the cost, time to transport, and level of care. Therefore, it is important to understand the common types of transporting cargo over the road, including Partial Truckload, less than truckload (LTL), and full truckload (FTL). These shipping methods offer different benefits and opportunities.
LTL is for shipping commodities whose volume does not fill the standard cargo container. An LTL freight shipping may transport shipments from multiple customers on one truck, which makes it affordable for small businesses. This is because a customer only pays for the time taken to transport the cargo and its amount. LTL shipments involve several stops and may take longer to reach destinations as they unpack and re-pack goods transported in the same direction. However, the overall cost is reduced. Therefore, the products must be packaged to endure handling to avoid damage.
LTL is suitable for recurring shipments, typically one to six pallets. It is also suitable for goods that are not high-demand, and the extra time for stopovers to off-load will not affect its quality.
It is worth noting that LTL uses freight classes defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). The classes help determine the shipping cost and range from 50 to 500. For instance, high-density items have a low freight class and are the least expensive.
There are instances when a customer has a larger shipment than LTL but still can't fill a full truck. In such cases, some shipment companies offer partial truckload freight shipping. The shipment ranges from eight to 14 pallets with weights ranging from 8,000 to 25,000 lbs. Partial truckload offers cost-effective shipping and offers benefits for both the LTL and FTL. This means that the shipping involves one truck and may only be unloaded once, requires no freight class with no extra charges, and less freight handling.
FTL is larger and may fill a whole truck. The transport trailers can accommodate up to 26 pallets or products weighing about 45,000 lbs. However, there are instances when customers prefer their goods transported in a whole truck even when the load does not weigh the maximum weight or fill the entire truck. This may happen when the freight time is sensitive or for goods that need careful handling. Another reason is when the weight is more cost-effective than using LTL, especially for expensive or perishable cargo. Since the FTL shipment is for one destination, estimates on delivery time can be accurately made with an assurance of goods arriving with no damages.
There are other terms used in transportation, such as heavy haul freight, which involve the transportation of oversize loads. This type of transportation's logistics requires proper planning to enable smooth transit. It may include route planning, special handling, additional permit, and police escort. Therefore, when it comes to choosing the transport mode, the cargo owner should consider their business requirements to help make the right choice. However, the shipping company is responsible for transparently providing all necessary information to customers to avoid preventable implications.
LTL is for shipping commodities whose volume does not fill the standard cargo container. An LTL freight shipping may transport shipments from multiple customers on one truck, which makes it affordable for small businesses. This is because a customer only pays for the time taken to transport the cargo and its amount. LTL shipments involve several stops and may take longer to reach destinations as they unpack and re-pack goods transported in the same direction. However, the overall cost is reduced. Therefore, the products must be packaged to endure handling to avoid damage.
LTL is suitable for recurring shipments, typically one to six pallets. It is also suitable for goods that are not high-demand, and the extra time for stopovers to off-load will not affect its quality.
It is worth noting that LTL uses freight classes defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). The classes help determine the shipping cost and range from 50 to 500. For instance, high-density items have a low freight class and are the least expensive.
There are instances when a customer has a larger shipment than LTL but still can't fill a full truck. In such cases, some shipment companies offer partial truckload freight shipping. The shipment ranges from eight to 14 pallets with weights ranging from 8,000 to 25,000 lbs. Partial truckload offers cost-effective shipping and offers benefits for both the LTL and FTL. This means that the shipping involves one truck and may only be unloaded once, requires no freight class with no extra charges, and less freight handling.
FTL is larger and may fill a whole truck. The transport trailers can accommodate up to 26 pallets or products weighing about 45,000 lbs. However, there are instances when customers prefer their goods transported in a whole truck even when the load does not weigh the maximum weight or fill the entire truck. This may happen when the freight time is sensitive or for goods that need careful handling. Another reason is when the weight is more cost-effective than using LTL, especially for expensive or perishable cargo. Since the FTL shipment is for one destination, estimates on delivery time can be accurately made with an assurance of goods arriving with no damages.
There are other terms used in transportation, such as heavy haul freight, which involve the transportation of oversize loads. This type of transportation's logistics requires proper planning to enable smooth transit. It may include route planning, special handling, additional permit, and police escort. Therefore, when it comes to choosing the transport mode, the cargo owner should consider their business requirements to help make the right choice. However, the shipping company is responsible for transparently providing all necessary information to customers to avoid preventable implications.
