What You Need To Know about FTL Shipping

When it comes to different ways to move freight, one of the first modes of transport you will hear about is truckload, or FTL shipping. Truckload shipping is a means to transport sizeable loads. You have enough goods to fill an entire semitrailer or intermodal container for shipment.

FTL shipping is ideal for any company shipping large amounts of goods at one time. Not only does it ensure everything will arrive at once, but it is one of the speedier options to move cargo across the country. You’re not waiting for additional freight to fill a trailer, as is sometimes the case with less than truckload shipping, where a carrier groups goods from several different customers before transport.

Another benefit, FTL shipping tends to be safer on cargo. Packages aren’t handled as much, at most just at pick up and drop off. Each time someone must “touch” your goods, it increases the chances of damage to your shipment.

FTL Shipping – Not a Full Load

FTL shipping is not for every company – nor is it for every shipment. For example, let say you can easily split up your products into multiple shipments. You may find that a carrier will move these less than truckload (LTL) shipments for a lower cost than another carrier would for a truckload shipment.

Pricing for FTL shipping is typically based on miles traveled, while LTL shipping is priced on a per-pound basis. It may be more cost-effective to break up your shipment into two 10,000-pound loads.

If your total shipment is less than 15,000 pounds, it will not come close to filling a trailer or intermodal container. You would just be paying for space you will not ever use. On average, truckload shipments weigh about 42,000 pounds. When it comes to shipping containers, the tipping point between LCL and FCL is debatable.

It is important to be using the most cost effective and most efficient mode of transport to ensure the best cost savings for your company.

If you are currently shipping LTL or FCL and want to know what option is best for your company, give us a call – our experts at Commerce Express would be happy to talk with you.