If you’re looking for a way to decrease your freight costs and want to improve your overall shipping strategy, full truckload services (FTL) may be right for you.

Full truckload shipping is the perfect solution for businesses that are shipping enough product to fill an entire truck. If you’re using truckload shipping, your freight will be the only one on the truck, and the truck is going straight from the origin to the destination. During the process of FTL, the distributor procures an entire truck for its shipment from a carrier, and the carrier then delivers those goods. Goods being distributed are large or heavy, or if you simply have sufficient goods to fill a whole lorry.

Truckload Freight Definition

Truckload is a mode of freight for larger shipments that typically occupy more than half and up to the full capacity of a 48’ or 53’ trailer. This method is commonly used when shippers decide they have enough items to fill a truck, want their shipment in a trailer by itself, the freight is time-sensitive, or the shipper decides it’s more cost-effective than other options. 

Types of Truckload Equipment

Dry van: Typically used to move dry goods that are not temperature sensitive.
Flatbed: This trailer does not have walls and is typically used for shipments that can’t be loaded through trailer doors.
Refrigerated: The equipment does not have walls and is typically used for shipments that can’t be loaded through trailer doors.

Benefits of Truckload Shipping

No weight restrictions: With FTL shipping, no size and weight restrictions are made by the carrier. You don’t have to worry if your goods conform to their requirements as your delivery will simply take up the whole shipment.
Efficient: FTL shipping can be more efficient too. The transit times are faster as the lorry isn’t making other stops, so your delivery goes straight to your drop-off destination.
Easy handling: When you use FTL shipping, your goods are never handled en route. The driver doesn’t have to move your goods to unload someone else’s shipment. There’s less risk, therefore, your goods will not be damaged or lost in transit.
Save money: FTL shipping can save you money. Carriers often offer better shipping rates for FTL shipping, so it can work out to be cheaper.

Truckload Shipping Best Practices

Be informed: Shippers should conduct research to understand the supply and demand of truckload equipment and how it impacts rates.
Be consistent: Shipping the same amount of freight, on a regular schedule, to the same locations, could help you secure consistent capacity.
Be efficient: Packaging shipment so they are loaded and unloaded easily will improve efficiency and productivity.

Through our member companies, the ShipNorthAmerica Network provides a broad range of services in specialized freight movement. Visit our blog for more articles, news, and updates for the transportation industry.