Whether you should use LTL freight services for your shipment may depend on a variety of factors. These can include the size of the load, what’s in it, where it’s going, how quickly it needs to get there, and a host of other particulars that will dictate whether LTL shipping is the right service for your supply chain needs.
LTL freight involves transporting shipments that only take up part of the truck’s trailer. They are typically comprised of fewer than twelve pallets of cargo and usually weigh between 150–15,000 pounds. LTL carriers often transfer loads between multiple trucks, consolidating shipments at transit hubs along the route before reaching their final destinations. This model offers a number of pros and cons.
It’s cost-effective. Because LTL shippers only use a portion of the trailer space containing their cargo, they only pay a portion of the shipping costs. The cost to move the truckload is shared with the other shippers who have goods on the truck
It’s environmentally friendly. By sharing trailer space with other shippers, LTL maximizes the amount of cargo that’s shipped in a single truckload. This means no wasted fuel emissions due to partially loaded trucks.
It’s more secure than parcel services. While some shippers who need to move smaller loads will break them up and ship items via parcel service, LTL allows you to palletize and shrink the load together, ensuring items are more secure during transit.
It’s convenient. LTL carriers offer a variety of accessorials and other special services like liftgates, inside pickup and delivery, and residential delivery. Full truckload and parcel services do not typically provide the wide array of services that LTL does.
Transit times may vary. Because of the complex logistics involved in LTL shipping, transit times are rarely guaranteed and can be prone to various delays, making them unpredictable.
It’s handled frequently. While well-packaged LTL shipments are typically more secure than parcels, they are still handled often. With many shipments being loaded and unloaded onto different trailers and transit hubs along their route, there is more opportunity for items to be damaged than a full truckload shipment that is only loaded and unloaded once.
It can get lost. Similarly, due to LTL freight changing trucks and being reorganized with other shipments while in transit, there is a higher chance of LTL shipments becoming lost or routed incorrectly along the way.
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the pros and cons of LTL shipping, when should you use it? The answer: it depends. Less-than-truckload shipping is not better or worse than parcel or full truckload (FTL). The best option for your shipment depends on your preferences.
LTL is usually better for items that fit or stack easily onto fewer than twelve pallets, are somewhat durable, and have flexibility regarding transit times. FTL is typically better suited for shipments that exceed twelve pallets of freight, products that are oversized or unusually shaped, high-value or fragile items, or loads that must meet a strict delivery deadline. LTL is almost always the most cost-effective option, while FTL is almost always the fastest. It’s important to consider all the factors involved before deciding what type of shipping is best for you.
If you are unsure which method of freight shipping best fits your situation, contact the shipping experts at Koho. They can help you determine a suitable shipping mode for your needs and budget, and you can book a quote with a trusted carrier directly through their user-friendly online shipping platform.
Whether you should use LTL freight services for your shipment may depend on a variety of factors. These can include the size of the load, what’s in it, where it’s going, how quickly it needs to get there, and a host of other particulars that will dictate whether LTL shipping is the right service for your supply chain needs.
LTL freight involves transporting shipments that only take up part of the truck’s trailer. They are typically comprised of fewer than twelve pallets of cargo and usually weigh between 150–15,000 pounds. LTL carriers often transfer loads between multiple trucks, consolidating shipments at transit hubs along the route before reaching their final destinations. This model offers a number of pros and cons.
It’s cost-effective. Because LTL shippers only use a portion of the trailer space containing their cargo, they only pay a portion of the shipping costs. The cost to move the truckload is shared with the other shippers who have goods on the truck
It’s environmentally friendly. By sharing trailer space with other shippers, LTL maximizes the amount of cargo that’s shipped in a single truckload. This means no wasted fuel emissions due to partially loaded trucks.
It’s more secure than parcel services. While some shippers who need to move smaller loads will break them up and ship items via parcel service, LTL allows you to palletize and shrink the load together, ensuring items are more secure during transit.
It’s convenient. LTL carriers offer a variety of accessorials and other special services like liftgates, inside pickup and delivery, and residential delivery. Full truckload and parcel services do not typically provide the wide array of services that LTL does.
Transit times may vary. Because of the complex logistics involved in LTL shipping, transit times are rarely guaranteed and can be prone to various delays, making them unpredictable.
It’s handled frequently. While well-packaged LTL shipments are typically more secure than parcels, they are still handled often. With many shipments being loaded and unloaded onto different trailers and transit hubs along their route, there is more opportunity for items to be damaged than a full truckload shipment that is only loaded and unloaded once.
It can get lost. Similarly, due to LTL freight changing trucks and being reorganized with other shipments while in transit, there is a higher chance of LTL shipments becoming lost or routed incorrectly along the way.
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the pros and cons of LTL shipping, when should you use it? The answer: it depends. Less-than-truckload shipping is not better or worse than parcel or full truckload (FTL). The best option for your shipment depends on your preferences.
LTL is usually better for items that fit or stack easily onto fewer than twelve pallets, are somewhat durable, and have flexibility regarding transit times. FTL is typically better suited for shipments that exceed twelve pallets of freight, products that are oversized or unusually shaped, high-value or fragile items, or loads that must meet a strict delivery deadline. LTL is almost always the most cost-effective option, while FTL is almost always the fastest. It’s important to consider all the factors involved before deciding what type of shipping is best for you.
If you are unsure which method of freight shipping best fits your situation, contact the shipping experts at Koho. They can help you determine a suitable shipping mode for your needs and budget, and you can book a quote with a trusted carrier directly through their user-friendly online shipping platform.
Liftgate Maximums
Average Limits Across Carriers
Maximum Length
66.5"
Maximum Width
65.5"
Maximum Height
79"
Maximum Weight
2,750 lb
