As a logistics manager you need to find the most effective way to ship your company’s goods, whether locally or across the country.
If you are shipping large quantities, you should consider full truckload (FTL) transport. What is full truckload shipping and what are the advantages?
Read on to find out if FTL is right for your company.
What Is Full Truckload Shipping?
Full truckload shipping transports large shipments by road in a dedicated truck, delivering them to their destination directly. This is in contrast to less than truckload (LTL) shipping, which combines shipments from several companies on one truck to make up the full load.
FTL shipments tend to be at least 10,000lbs, with a full truckload weight limit of around 40,000lbs. The federal weight limit for commercial vehicles is 80,000lbs.
Full truckload carriers use dry freight containers, flatbed trailers, or refrigerated trucks depending on the type of shipment. They have the latest transportation management technology to stay connected throughout the shipping process, providing tracking, tracing, and access to documents.
When Should You Use FTL?
Full truckload is an ideal method of shipping if you have a shipment large enough to fill a truck, or you need it to arrive at its destination within a certain time. You might also need to use FTL if you are shipping items, such as food, that cannot be combined with other goods.
What Determines the Cost of Full Truckload Shipping?
Full truckload freight rates are complex to calculate and fluctuate all the time. Costs vary depending on several factors.
- The distance the goods will travel
- Size and weight of the shipment
- Fuel prices
- Type of truck
- Capacity available on the route
- Standard or expedited delivery time
Full truckload shipping companies charge extra fees for additional services like handling fragile goods, delivery at specific times, or difficult locations.
What Are the Advantages of Full Truckload Shipping?
There are several advantages to using FTL over other types of freight transportation. These include:
- Fast, efficient delivery direct to the destination
- Private service rather than shared space
- Cheaper than cargo planes or trains for large shipments
- Insurance against accidents, natural disasters, loss, or damage
- Fewer size or weight restrictions
- Less chance of damage with a single, direct carrier
- Well suited to transporting fragile or high-risk goods
- Optimal weight distribution, unlike shared space
While FTL shipping is designed for large shipments it is flexible, so you can ship a partial load if you need expedited delivery or you are shipping valuable goods.
Use Full Truckload Freight for Your Business
Depending on what you are shipping and when you need it to arrive at its destination, full truckload transit could be the most cost-effective option for your company.
If you’re looking for a full truckload shipping company, Genex can help. We offer FTL as well as LTL, intermodal, cross-docking, warehousing, and cross-docking. We can give you a quote in less than five minutes and promise the best service at a competitive price.