Less Than Truckload (LTL) Shipping

Less Than Truckload (LTL) Shipping



Every enterprise, small and medium alike, requires a reliable shipping service during its expansion. From the packaging of the products, crates, or pallets to the safe delivery to distributors, retailers, and customers all over the country, a trustworthy logistics service is what we look out for.


LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipping facilities serve as an ideal method for business owners who wish to minimize costs by opting out from the services of large, palletized shipments and making an intelligent choice of choosing LTL services of United Heavy Haul.



Less Than Truckload: Definition


LTL Shipment refer to transporting a certain range of weight that does not accommodate the entire space in the truck. This range of weight starts from 150 lbs and goes all the way up to 15,000 lbs. Usually, the customer alone doesn’t need the entire 48-foot or 53-foot trailer to transport. In this type of transport service, you have to pay only for space your products require since your shipment is combined with other customers.



LTL Carrier


An LTL carrier is a shipping vehicle, usually a truck, that uses 28-ft to 53-ft trailers for local pickups and deliveries, including tandem pup trailers for interstate hauls. United Heavy Haul LLC is one such shipping service company using equipment hauling. 



Advantages 


LTL load shipping offers various benefits for every business that requires it to deliver its products conveniently to customers around the country.


  1. Cost-efficient

You have to pay only for the space acquired by your goods; hence it reduces the shipping cost compared to paying for the entire truck. Most of the carriers even offer specialized handling of fragile or hazardous goods at reasonable rates


  1. Shipment of smaller quantities


LTL loads also include shipment of smaller quantity products. It enables immediate transportation of smaller volumes that leads to faster turnaround and more sales.


There's no requirement to stock and wait for your production output to cross 10,000 lbs before you can ship out inventory to gain profits.


  1. Increased security


LTL shipment performs well-organized security handling transportation. A neatly packaged pallet securely carries boxes of goods together with an assured reduction in chances of damaged freight. Shipments that demand special handling requirements are followed with specific instructions so you can rest assured that your shipment remains safe when it arrives at the destination.


  1. Easy to track


One of the most comforting features of LTL shipping is the facility of easy tracking. Shipments are easy to track because they are handled and marked at several points during the transit systematically. It allows the customer to estimate the current location and estimated date or time of delivery before shipment by using equipment hauling. Certain details like the bill of lading number, PRO number, PO number, shipment reference number, and pick-up date range provide information about the shipping period.


  1. Environmentally-friendly


Usually, all the trucks that work for LTL shipping on the road operate at maximum capacity, including step deck trucks and flatbed shipping. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to take preventive measures and minimize your carbon footprint to help conserve the environment.



Process


The carrier's truck will collect the shipments from the given local area. The collected shipments from the customers are unloaded in a terminal where each order is processed. Shipments related to the same location are packed together and loaded into another truck that transports them to a regional terminal. After that, shipments are classified and loaded into smaller trucks for easy delivery. 


In the US, LTL trucks offer incredible flexibility of transportation because of lower costs and faster shipping facility of large items if compared to rail because rail shipping has a particular timetable that needs to be followed strictly.



Pricing

Calculation of cost usually depends on factors like destination, weight and dimensions, mode of transportation, and type of shipment.


  1. Destination: As the distance of reach to your destination of the shipment increases, the cost of shipping would increase accordingly.

  2. Dimensions and weight: These two factors are included in the freight class, which mostly authorize shipping costs.


  1. Mode of shipping: Other factors that add to your shipping costs are liftgate pickup/delivery, inside pickup/delivery, residential pickup/delivery. Sometimes the packages are customized with special services or handling charges. 


  1. Type of shipment: The shipment charges depend on the type and size of the package. Some Packages are fragile, perishable, or hazardous and require special handling to safety measures.




 Full truckload (FTL) shipping


Full Truck Load (FTL) is another method of shipment, and it differs from LTL shipping in three factors of shipment handling, shipment size and weight, and cost:

  • Only individual shipments are loaded onto the truck. The truck is supposed to pick up your shipment at the origin and directly deliver it to the destination. 

  • Your freight would never leave the truck. Refrigerated trailers are readily available, so the timing of refrigerated packages doesn't affect that much.

  • A full truck can supply up to 26 pallets – freight can weigh from 5,000 lbs up to 45,000 lbs.

  • Transportation supplies are completely on the market demand and can be negotiated with the carrier.

  • Shipment contracts and costing vary widely from an operator to a single truck to huge trucking companies with extensive fleets. 

  • Full truckload may include flatbed transportation companies or private flatbed shipping companies across the country.



Preparation of shipment


Preparation of shipment includes three areas to prioritize to receive the package in good condition. Damaged or lost packages can cause delays, additional costs, and other issues such as:



  1. Packaging and labeling: Crates are used for smaller units, and pallets are used for heavier and bigger shipments. Heavier packages are placed at the bottom while lighter ones are piled on top in order to make the shipment sturdy.

  2. Dimensions: The height, width, and length are calculated and rounded off to the closest inch after packaging of the shipment. 


  1. Documentation: An essential document is the BOL (Bill OF Lading) rom the carrier, which includes all the relevant details about the shipment.


In every aspect, LTL is suitable for every industrial transportation needs. It offers flexible shipping and various benefits to its customers. 


When it comes to less than truckload freight shipping, United Heavy Haul LLC shipping services come to your rescue. Contact us today for the best logistics services.