FTL Shipping Versus LTL Shipping.
FTL shipping stands for Full Truck Load, while LTL stands for Less Than a Full Truckload. When it comes to shipping goods and cargo, you have many options. And, depending on various factors you may choose one over the other when shipping your freight. Of course, the size of your shipment is one consideration, speed of delivery is another, and still, another is the cost of shipping.
When shipping your freight LTL, it will be sharing space on a truck. These types of loads usually weigh-in somewhere between 50 to 10,000 pounds. With LTL, you only pay for the space you’re using on that truck. LTL shipping is best for small businesses that don’t need to ship in bulk and need shipping that can meet their budgets. The only caveat with LTL is that, due to frequent stops to drop off the cargo of the shared trailer, the shipping time is longer.
FTL Shipping Explained.
Again, FTL Shipping stands for Full Truck Load. This means that your goods will be taking up the entire space available on the truck. Even if you don’t completely fill a truck’s floor space, if you have 10 or more pallets you’ll be required to pay for the entire truck. The good news with moving your freight via FTL is that your shipment stays on the same truck the entire time. And, due to this fact, there’s less chance of damage or shrinkage. Another added benefit to FTL freight is that your shipment arrives at its destination much faster because there are fewer stops and there’s only one destination.
FTL Shipping or LTL, Which Is Right For You?
When determining which method of shipping is most appropriate for you, you’ll want to consider many things. Of course, the cost of shipping is one, but it may not be the most important. If your freight is high-risk, fragile, or perishable, then LTL may not be a suitable method of shipping. However, if what you’re shipping is small, raw goods, packed sufficiently and travels well then LTL will be your best bet.
Mobile Convoy Worldwide Offers Shipping Worldwide.
While we are centrally located in Atlanta, Georgia, we provide FTL Shipping worldwide. With a network of more than 100,000 carriers, we can ensure that your shipment will be well taken care of. No detail is too big or small for us to consider. One thing you may want to consider when shipping is consolidation. Consolidating your goods to fit on a full truckload will reduce the cost of shipping. Full truckload freight shopping requires fewer touches to your goods, and as mentioned before, a decreased chance of damage occurring.
Alternatives to Full Truck Load Shipping
Intermodal shipping can be a very effective and efficient alternative to truckload shipping. And, it can positively impact your bottom line. Whether by smaller sized trucks, train cars, boats, or even air freight, Mobile Convoy Worldwide is always available to help save you both time and money. In its simplest terms, Intermodal shipping is the transporting of goods, freight, cargo, or equipment using multiple mods of transportation. And, when done effectively, the freight will not have been handled when changing modes. If you’re interested in learning more about alternatives to full truckload shipping, please call our offices.
Special Handling Your Truckload Shipping
When shipping goods that require special handling, such as something that needs to be transported in a climate-controlled environment, breakbulk shipments, or shipments requiring a flatbed truck, you’ll want to learn about the various options available. First, a shipment that is considered “breakbulk” is one that does not fit in standard shipping containers or trucks. Construction equipment, oversize loads, manufacturing goods, and boats are examples of breakbulk shipping.
Types of Vehicles Used For Truckload Shipping
The standard truck used for truckload shipping is the “Dry Van,” meaning an enclosed trailer that protects your shipment from the elements. Then there is the “Reefer” trailer which refers to a temperature-controlled enclosed trailer, that is used for transporting refrigerated or frozen goods. A “Flatbed Carrier” is a highly versatile bed that is open to the elements, and is used to transport large items, such as construction equipment. If you need to transport an item that must meet certain height restrictions then a “Step Deck Trailer,” also known as “Drop Decks,” is ideal. And, for long or tall freight a “Removable Gooseneck,” or “RGN” trailer is best because it is detachable and the trailer is lowered to the ground so that whatever you’re transporting can be easily removed, via a ramp.
Reduced Costs & Flexible Shipments
Overall utilizing FTL shipping the right way can provide speed of delivery, decreased damages, and, when done right, sufficient cost-savings. Call Mobile Convoy Worldwide for all your LTL Freight shipping needs.
Looking for something other than FTL Freight? We also offer…
- Ocean Freight
- Air Freight
- Consulting Services
- Heavy Haul Trucking
- LTL Shipping
- Intermodal Transport
- Customs Service
- Oversize Load Transport
- And More…
Mobile Convoy Worldwide is your personalized third-party logistics company