The key to a successful team effort in LTL shipping begins and ends with communication. LTL freight is already a complicated industry, and the past few years have made it even more challenging to navigate. With multiple shipments organized onto every trailer, strict requirements for freight descriptions and classifications, tight capacities, and a myriad of different shipping situations all handled by LTL service, things can become overwhelming very quickly. Clear and thorough communication between shippers, carriers, and their teams is critical to ensuring everything goes smoothly, no time or money is wasted, and a relationship of trust can be built that is mutually beneficial. The best way to maintain open and organized channels of information sharing between shipping and carrier teams is to use a technology-conscious 3PL to facilitate communication.
For LTL freight to run efficiently, shippers and carriers must be on the same page. For shippers, this means communicating accurate information to the carrier regarding the nature of the shipment. The correct weight, dimensions, freight class, and description of cargo must be conveyed to the carrier at the time of the quote. Because LTL carriers are configuring multiple shipments onto a single trailer, it is critical that the information provided by the shipper is precise and accurate to avoid overloading the truck or not being able to fit all the cargo in its designated space on the trailer. Shippers must also provide any additional information necessary to complete the shipment, such as any accessorials or special handling instructions, to avoid delays or missed pickups/deliveries. For example, if a pickup location doesn’t have a loading dock and a liftgate is necessary to load the shipment onto the truck, failing to include that information when obtaining the quote will lead to a missed pickup, rescheduling, and an additional charge from the carrier.
For carriers, it is important to communicate with shippers if there are any obvious discrepancies that can be solved prior to the shipment being made. Carriers must also create, maintain, and provide an organized invoice that clearly shows the costs and procedures to the shipper. This offers transparency and a common document from which both sides can operate, which can help avoid conflicts that may arise from decentralized communication.
With the LTL market as chaotic as it is these days, effective communication shouldn’t stop at the shipper-carrier level. With delays and capacity issues commonplace due to high demand and labor shortages, it is crucial that communication be prevalent throughout the supply chain. Shippers need to be in contact with their customers as well as their carriers. If a shipment is delayed, letting each party that may be affected by the delay is an important way to encourage transparency and trust between businesses. Giving customers a heads up that their items will not be there at an expected time will allow them to adjust their own supply chains, inventory, and expectations, which is better for everyone in the long run.
The best way to ensure your LTL shipping team maintains open lines of communication and maximizes their collaborative efforts is to work with a qualified and trusted 3PL like Koho. Third-party logistics experts are tech-enabled to provide centralized communication and information sharing that benefits shippers and carriers alike. Utilizing Koho’s online platform, both shippers and carriers are able to store and locate all the information necessary to complete a shipment in one place. Koho will double-check the shipment descriptions that are submitted at the time of the quote to ensure no details are missing. The platform will also electronically produce a complete bill of lading available to print with all the relevant information. Koho will also provide online tracking so shippers and consignees can follow their cargo every step of the way, be prepared for deliveries, and receive timely notice of any unforeseen delays or issues. Koho will even pull your proof of delivery document directly from the carrier’s system and make it available to you on the platform as soon as the delivery has been made.
The messaging feature on Koho’s online platform offers a place for all communication regarding a shipment to occur. Rather than relying on phone calls or email threads that may not include all necessary parties or get lost in the shuffle of inboxes, Koho’s messaging feature provides a single location that anyone from the shipper or carrier team can access to convey important instructions, guidance, or details about a shipment before it occurs or while it is in progress. Shippers also have direct access to the LTL freight pros at Koho through the platform. Avoid potential communication breakdowns and get you and your team members on the same page by using a tech-conscious 3PL like Koho to provide access to a trusted carrier network, visibility into the status and details of your shipments, and transparency between all parties. Contact Koho today about your next LTL shipment.
The key to a successful team effort in LTL shipping begins and ends with communication. LTL freight is already a complicated industry, and the past few years have made it even more challenging to navigate. With multiple shipments organized onto every trailer, strict requirements for freight descriptions and classifications, tight capacities, and a myriad of different shipping situations all handled by LTL service, things can become overwhelming very quickly. Clear and thorough communication between shippers, carriers, and their teams is critical to ensuring everything goes smoothly, no time or money is wasted, and a relationship of trust can be built that is mutually beneficial. The best way to maintain open and organized channels of information sharing between shipping and carrier teams is to use a technology-conscious 3PL to facilitate communication.
For LTL freight to run efficiently, shippers and carriers must be on the same page. For shippers, this means communicating accurate information to the carrier regarding the nature of the shipment. The correct weight, dimensions, freight class, and description of cargo must be conveyed to the carrier at the time of the quote. Because LTL carriers are configuring multiple shipments onto a single trailer, it is critical that the information provided by the shipper is precise and accurate to avoid overloading the truck or not being able to fit all the cargo in its designated space on the trailer. Shippers must also provide any additional information necessary to complete the shipment, such as any accessorials or special handling instructions, to avoid delays or missed pickups/deliveries. For example, if a pickup location doesn’t have a loading dock and a liftgate is necessary to load the shipment onto the truck, failing to include that information when obtaining the quote will lead to a missed pickup, rescheduling, and an additional charge from the carrier.
For carriers, it is important to communicate with shippers if there are any obvious discrepancies that can be solved prior to the shipment being made. Carriers must also create, maintain, and provide an organized invoice that clearly shows the costs and procedures to the shipper. This offers transparency and a common document from which both sides can operate, which can help avoid conflicts that may arise from decentralized communication.
With the LTL market as chaotic as it is these days, effective communication shouldn’t stop at the shipper-carrier level. With delays and capacity issues commonplace due to high demand and labor shortages, it is crucial that communication be prevalent throughout the supply chain. Shippers need to be in contact with their customers as well as their carriers. If a shipment is delayed, letting each party that may be affected by the delay is an important way to encourage transparency and trust between businesses. Giving customers a heads up that their items will not be there at an expected time will allow them to adjust their own supply chains, inventory, and expectations, which is better for everyone in the long run.
The best way to ensure your LTL shipping team maintains open lines of communication and maximizes their collaborative efforts is to work with a qualified and trusted 3PL like Koho. Third-party logistics experts are tech-enabled to provide centralized communication and information sharing that benefits shippers and carriers alike. Utilizing Koho’s online platform, both shippers and carriers are able to store and locate all the information necessary to complete a shipment in one place. Koho will double-check the shipment descriptions that are submitted at the time of the quote to ensure no details are missing. The platform will also electronically produce a complete bill of lading available to print with all the relevant information. Koho will also provide online tracking so shippers and consignees can follow their cargo every step of the way, be prepared for deliveries, and receive timely notice of any unforeseen delays or issues. Koho will even pull your proof of delivery document directly from the carrier’s system and make it available to you on the platform as soon as the delivery has been made.
The messaging feature on Koho’s online platform offers a place for all communication regarding a shipment to occur. Rather than relying on phone calls or email threads that may not include all necessary parties or get lost in the shuffle of inboxes, Koho’s messaging feature provides a single location that anyone from the shipper or carrier team can access to convey important instructions, guidance, or details about a shipment before it occurs or while it is in progress. Shippers also have direct access to the LTL freight pros at Koho through the platform. Avoid potential communication breakdowns and get you and your team members on the same page by using a tech-conscious 3PL like Koho to provide access to a trusted carrier network, visibility into the status and details of your shipments, and transparency between all parties. Contact Koho today about your next LTL shipment.
Liftgate Maximums
Average Limits Across Carriers
Maximum Length
66.5"
Maximum Width
65.5"
Maximum Height
79"
Maximum Weight
2,750 lb
