In the world of bulk transport shipping, you generally have two options: less than truckload (or LTL) or full truckload (FTL). While on the surface, the difference is rather obvious, with one shipping method, you fill less than an entire truck while the other you fill the entire truck, but there are far more variables to consider when selecting one over the other. Choosing the wrong form of shipment can end up costing you significantly in one way or another, which is why having a full comprehension of LTL and FTL is so important. Here is your guide to what all the differences are and which you should choose, depending on your circumstances.
A Guide on LTL and FTL
More About LTL
A less than truckload shipment, as the name suggests, means you are sending less than an entire truckload. When this happens, the truck is usually combined with other products and shipments from other companies. When this is done, it helps split up the cost of a truck. Instead of paying for the shipment of an entire truck, you will split it up with the other companies using the same truck. If you don’t have enough product to fill a truck, this is a viable option when you want to save money.
During this kind of shipment, the truck will likely stop at several locations. It will need to pick up the products from the other shippers and then deliver them to varying receivers. Due to this, your shipment will, more than likely, remain in transit longer. The added length of transit will depend on a few variables, but it shouldn’t extend the shipment date by too long. However, it is important to keep in mind that when using this kind of shipment option, whatever it is you are sending will be in a truck for longer than if you use a full truckload option.
More About FTL
With a full truckload, you will be either filling the entire truck or paying to use the entire truck while only filling part of it. When using this shipment option, the truck will remain in transit longer because it only needs to pick up the goods from your company and then deposit the goods at the final receiver’s location. Your shipment requirements will dictate where the truck will go, so if you need the truck to make multiple deliveries, the truck will do exactly that. There will be no secondary stops to pick up other products, which means your shipments will arrive faster.
Usually, this form of shipment is used by companies that fill an entire truck. However, you can also pay for an entire truck and only partially fill it if you are interested. It might be something to consider if it is essential for a product to arrive by a certain date, and you don’t want any delays or additional stops. It will increase the cost to ship the product because you’re not filling the truck, but when time is more important than the up-front cost, it ultimately may end up being the best way to go for you.
LTL and FTL – Both Have Refrigeration Options
There’s no need to worry about refrigeration options. Both truck shipping options are available to you, so whether you are looking for an LTL or FTL, you can have either in a refrigeration option.
LTL Is A Popular Choice For Many Companies
In between LTL and FTL, many companies would prefer to choose LTL. Because many of them, will not need to send out an entire truckload full of products. Very few companies have the need or production requirements to constantly fill entire truckloads and ship out the product at once. This is why the LTL is a valuable alternative for many businesses. While it can add some time to the shipments, it usually isn’t more than a couple of days (depending on where everything is going and how long it takes to off-load the products). It is also an excellent way to reduce the cost of shipment when an entire truck is not required.
Professional Assistance With What Works Best
When selecting a shipping company, it is important to work with a provider that can offer you up-to-the-minute logistics on your shipment. You need to know where it is and when the expected delivery is to be. Shipping and receiving locations are often on tight deadlines and schedules, so they need to know when a truck is expected. Should a truck arrive too early or too late, it might be forced to wait behind other trucks that are loading and off-loading. This extends the shipping time for all other companies that might have products within the truck. You don’t want to go blindly into working with any random shipping company. Instead, a service provider such as RJS Logistics can work with you in not only finding a viable shipping option for your business but also provide you with logistical information that will help keep you informed and on top of everything else that is going on with your shipments, regardless of where the shipment is headed.
Discover What Is Best For Your Company
Every business has different variables to consider. From shipping deadlines and the amount, you’re sending out to whether you want to promote selling more products at a reduced cost to fill a truck completely. There are more ins and outs to shipping than many realize, which is why it is so important to partner yourself with a shipping company that will work specifically with you in pinpointing the best ways to go and schedule shipping made specifically for you and your business. Whatever your business may be or whatever products you are shipping, now is the time to contact the team at RJS Logistics. From local to international shipping, all of your needs will be covered. You just need to take the first step and contact the customer service staff. Everything else will be taken care of.
