Less-Than-Truckload Freight
Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight shipping is used for smaller freight loads that are too large to be shipped as parcel but too small to fill an entire truckload. LTL freight shipments are combined with other shipments until a LTL truck container is filled. The LTL freight is then transported via a hub system, where it is transferred between trucks and freight centers until it reaches its ultimate destination.
Cost of LTL Freight
To save money, freight shipments that cannot fill an entire truckload should be shipped as LTL freight. Shipping a smaller freight load by LTL can offer significant savings over shipping the same load in an empty truck. There are, of course, exceptions when truckload freight is a better option; consult your freight carrier for advice.
Timeline for Freight Shipping
Because LTL freight travels on a hub system and is transferred several times before reaching its destination, it takes longer to ship than TL freight. Your freight carrier should provide a timetable with the exact transit time of your shipment.
Handling and Preparation
LTL freight is more susceptible to damage, since it is handled and transferred repeatedly. If you are shipping your load as LTL freight, it should be consolidated into one large, palletized shipment. Minimizing the number of individual packages reduces handling time and decreases the likelihood of damage.
Things you should ask yourself before shipping as LTL freight:
- Is my shipment less than 10,000 lbs?
- Am I, or an agent, available to load and unload the shipment?
- Can I consolidate and palletize my shipment?
- Am I comfortable sharing trailer space with other shipments?
- Do I understand the timeline restrictions of LTL freight?
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