Truckload freight shipping is simply the transport of loaded freight containers from one location to another.
Both for-hire and private fleets keep transportation running smoothly and serve as the primary mode of transportation for thousands of businesses. We’ll look at what full truckload shipping is, the advantages it offers, and when to use it.
What Is Full-Truck Load Shipping (FTL)?
Full truckload is the most common mode of transportation for large shipments that fill an entire trailer. It can also be used for smaller, time-sensitive shipments.
FTL is sometimes a better choice than LTL for smaller, time-sensitive shipments because FTL sends the shipment directly to its destination, resulting in a shorter transit time. Full truckload shipments are also known as dedicated shipments because they are the only shipment on a trailer and are delivered by the same trailer that picked them up.
In other words, Full Truckload is ideal for two types of shipments: when you have enough freight to fill a full truckload and prefer a dedicated truck; and when you have a partial load that is time-sensitive and prefers a dedicated truck.
Advantages of Full-Truck Load Shipping
FTL shipping benefits shippers in a variety of ways, regardless of company size or industry. Some of the primary advantages are listed below.
1. Speed
Full truckload shipping is an excellent choice if your shipment is time-sensitive, is only going to one location, or requires the entire truck space.
Full truckload shipping deadlines are more precise than LTL shipping deadlines (LTL). For example, you can reduce transit time by two days by eliminating the extra procedures associated with LTL shipments, which may include no less than two freight terminals and three trucks
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2. Delivery from door to door
When you have an entire truck to yourself, there are no stops to deliver other companies’ products, and your product is handled less due to loading and unloading. This reduces damage, theft, and loss. In addition, unlike other modes of transportation, FTL carriers do not transload freight at terminals.
3. Ideal for fragile or valuable cargo
We understand that all shipments are valuable, but if your products are more valuable or delicate than others, FTL offers protection against damage or loss. Your valuable or fragile freight will not be moved, unloaded, or shared space with the products of another company. This will help to ensure that it arrives at its destination in one piece.
4. Efficiency
When a shipment needs to get somewhere as soon as possible, FTL is ideal. Since the truck is dedicated to your cargo, there will be no stops along the way to its destination even if you do not fill it.
Your time is more valuable than ever, and efficiency is the name of the game. FTL freight shipping enables you to find carriers for multiple pickups and deliveries at the same time, as well as schedule pickup and delivery appointments, allowing shippers and customers to plan ahead of time.
When FTL Shipping Is the Best Transport Option
When it comes to goods shipping, there are numerous factors to consider. And evaluating each factor can help you determine the most efficient and cost-effective shipping method based on your customers’ needs.
Freight dimensions (length, width, and height), freight classification, and special services (blanket wrap, headload, expedited, and so on) are all factors to consider when selecting a shipping method.
So, when do I need to use a truckload (TL)?
For time-sensitive shipments, full truckload shipping is ideal. FTL is frequently the default option for most shippers in a time crunch. The cargo will travel directly from the point of origin to its final destination via the most efficient shipping routes available with FTL freight shipments. LTL shipments will make several stops along the way and be transported into a variety of trucks and warehouses before arriving at their final destination.
When security is a major concern, FTL is usually the better choice. Only those directly associated with the shipment will have direct access to handle goods in such a straightforward path. With LTL freight, the load will most likely be loaded and unloaded several times. This means more handling, rearranging the cargo, and an increased risk of damage. FTL shipping ensures fewer stops and fewer people handling the cargo, resulting in a lower risk of damage or items going missing.
There will be fewer opportunities for delays when dealing with FTL shipments if there are fewer stops and fewer risks overall. By eliminating the possibility of unexpected delays, on-time pickup and delivery performance will improve.
In general, the greater the weight and/or size of the shipment, the more efficient it is to transport it by FTL. If all other factors remain constant, transporting an FTL shipment will be less expensive than splitting the same freight volumes into smaller LTL freight shipments. In other words, if shippers have enough freight to fill a full or nearly full truckload shipment, it’s usually the less expensive option.
Conclusion
Many industries consider FTL freight transportation to be the best option. While these industries are distinct, they do share some similarities, such as the need to ship a large number of items to and from a specific location. There is also a large movement of industrial goods, bulk food types, and raw materials. When it comes to goods shipping, there are numerous factors to consider. With the assistance of freight experts, you can make the best decisions for your company.