Delivery Timeīecause LTL shipments are most often combined with other orders, the truck will have to make several stops on it’s journey. The best way to determine which option is more cost-effective for your specific needs is to contact Bridgetown Trucking for a load-specific quote. Because an FTL shipment necessitates a dedicated truck, you’ll have to pay for the additional space.Ĭost also depends on various factors other than space, such as distance and handling requirements. This is because the cost of LTL shipping covers only the dedicated amount of space you need inside the truck as opposed to the entire vehicle. Generally speaking, one of the major differences between LTL and FTL shipping is that LTL provides increased cost savings when you have smaller quantities of goods to transport. Since your goods will be transported alone rather than in the same truck with other cargo, they can be shipped directly from one location to another with no additional stops and no unnecessary loading or unloading.Įven if your individual freight isn’t particularly heavy, if you want to ship large quantities at once or if your cargo is especially large or fragile, an FTL shipment might still be the best option. There’s no doubt that shipping in bulk (FTL) can be a more effective and efficient way to meet your deadlines. One of the first things to consider when choosing between FTL and LTL commercial truck shipping is the size, shape, weight, quantity, and other characteristics of your freight. Here are the important factors to consider when choosing between FTL and LTL shipping for your goods. But in many instances, shipments that weigh somewhere around the 10,000-pound mark can be transported either way.
Some loads, of course, will require the full capacity of a truck if they’re big or heavy enough, while others simply don’t necessitate that much space. It’s not always immediately clear what type of trucking is best for your cargo and business, and there are many factors that go into this decision.
How to Choose Between FTL & LTL Freight Transport
If your freight is shipped in the same truck with other goods, it will likely take longer to arrive than an FTL shipment due to the number of stops the driver will have to make to deliver other goods. One of the benefits of LTL shipping is the cost advantage, since you don’t have to pay for the space of a full truck. LTL shipments can be transported on their own or along with other goods. Generally, if you’re shipping fewer than six pallets at a time, LTL shipping is the way to go. If your cargo is light but requires additional space, you may still have a full truckload. However, that’s somewhat conditional on the size and shape of your freight. In most cases, anything weighing less than 10,000 pounds is considered an LTL shipment. LTL shipments are reserved for smaller loads that don’t require a truck’s entire capacity. Anything weighing less is usually an LTL shipment. Not sure if you have a full truckload or not? While it depends on what you’re shipping, a general rule of thumb is that a full truckload typically weighs around 10,000 pounds to 64,000 pounds.
Doing this ensures your goods won’t change hands or need to be transported with other products. However, in some cases, you may be able to reserve the entire truck for your goods, even if they don’t fill its entire capacity. This type of trucking is frequently used for large or heavy shipments that need to be moved directly from one location to another. This can add convenience and streamline the transportation process since the truck carrying your goods won’t have to make additional stops to deliver goods that aren’t yours.
With FTL shipping, your goods represent the only freight on a given truck.
Full Truckload (FTL) ShipmentsįTL refers to full-truckload freight, meaning your cargo can fill an entire truck (or close to it). Not sure whether to choose FTL or LTL trucking to ship your goods? In this article, we’ll define both types of shipping and examine the pros and cons of each based on the kind of freight you’re shipping and your specific objectives. But choosing the right type of trucking services for your cargo is critically important to meet your deadlines, satisfy your customers or partners, increase profitability, and reach your business goals.įull Truckload (FLT) and Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping are the two most commonly used modes of freight transport in North America. Trucking is often the most cost-effective and convenient way to get your goods where they need to go. In many industries, a smart freight-shipping strategy is an essential part of success in business.