Everything You Should Know About Full Truckload

When shipping products, fleet managers should consider a suitable option that meets the needs of their organization and customers. But, choosing the best method when you’re unsure of your options is often difficult. Some factors you should consider include freight classifications and dimensions as well as special services. Full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) are the most used shipping methods. But, even deciding which is best for your needs between these two isn’t easy. This article talks about the fundamental things that you should know about full truckload shipping. Read on to learn more.

What Is Full Truckload Shipping?

It’s a shipment method mostly used for large products that fully fit the whole trailer. An entire truck is dedicated to a single shipment. But, individuals who need to transport small freights quickly can still use it. FTL is at times better than LTL as shipments are sent directly to their destinations hence arrive quickly. A full truckload shipment will have an average weight of between 15000-20000 pounds.

What’s important to remember about FTL shipping is that customers do not share the cargo space. In other words, it’s an exclusive service that’s private. It’s why one should avoid FTL companies that allow individuals to share space. Even if they’re giving you a discount, that is not FTL. Hence the transaction shouldn’t be handled the same.

FTL shipments can also be considered dedicated shipments since they fill up the entire trailer, and the same trailer that picks them up is the one that delivers them. Full truckload shipments are suitable when one has enough freight that’ll fill the entire trailer or when they have a partial load that needs to be delivered quickly.

The Difference between FTL and LTL

If you’re not using FTL, you’ll use LTL, which involves several customers sharing a single truck. The warehouse loads the truck with freights going to various destinations. Thus, the driver will make several stops during his trip to drop cargos at their destination. LTL shipments are mostly used to transport small freight where the driver delivers goods to various places.

When to Use FTL

Certain factors determine the freight shipping method you’ll use. These include how big your freight is, how fast you want it delivered, how delicate it is, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Now, if you have a large freight that needs to reach its destination quickly or on time, you should consider full truckload transportation. FTL requires the entire truck to be loaded. In most cases, these shipments weigh more than 10000 pounds. But if you have a freight weighing 100 or less than 10000 pounds, you’re better off with LTL. However, if it is time-sensitive, even if it weighs less than 10000 pounds, you can still consider FTL.

The Benefits of FTL?

  • Deliveries are fast– slow or delayed deliveries mostly occur when a driver is forced to make various stops. If the stops are very many, your freight will take a lot of time to arrive at its destination. Thankfully, FTL doesn’t have mid-route stops. Other than travel breaks, the only time your shipment stops is during shipping transfers.
  • Saves money on transportation– FTL costs are calculated by the distance traveled and fuel costs. Therefore, you can negotiate rates and save some money compared to when using LTL.
  • Safety and security of your items- shipping products using a truck is generally risky. However, FTL reduces the risk by barring item transfers. Thus, your products remain in the trailer until they’re delivered. Therefore, the chances of items getting lost, damaged, or stolen are significantly reduced. This makes FTL a suitable means of shipping dangerous, valuable, or fragile cargo.

The only drawback of FTL is that it is resource-intensive, especially for people who use it often. It requires extra gas, ties drivers up, and strains the environment. It’s why it should be used sparingly.

Final Thoughts

Many factors determine whether a shipping option is right for you. Fleet managers have to ensure productivity, profitability, and that they’re making their customers happy with the shipment method they use. Familiarizing yourself with both LTL and FTL will help you choose the option that suits the needs of your business and customers.

AmeriFreight – your FTL transport solution.

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Christophe Rude
Christophe Rude
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