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Shipping freight can seem like an extremely complex procedure because of the variety of choices offered. It is important to know the distinctions between Full Truckload (FTL) shipping, and Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping since they’re two of the most frequently used transport choices. Shippers should consider the size, time, as well as price when choosing between FTL or LTL. These are the major distinctions among FTL and LTL shipping to help choose which one is best for your needs.
The most significant distinctions in FTL and LTL shipping can be divided into 4 categories:
Dimension
The first thing you need to consider when shipping your freight is the size. The terms Full Truckload and Less Than Truckload are self-explanatory and mean exactly what they mean.
LTL is a smaller type of shipment typically, ranging between 100 and 5000 pounds. The smaller shipments do not fill a truck, leaving room for smaller transports.
However, FTL shipments fill most of a truck and are usually significantly larger, typically with a weight of more than 20,000 pounds.
Price
Since LTL shipments are smaller and allow room for other transports, they’re cheaper since you pay for the space you need.
FTL shipments consume the majority of the truck’s space and cost more since they are paying for larger space in the truck.
The choice of whether to go with FTL as well as an LTL is vital as if you select the wrong choice you could end up having to pay for space you don’t use.
Time
If you’re in a tight spot on time and want to get items shipped swiftly, FTL may be the best option.
Since LTL shipping involves more than just the delivery, they usually require several stops and transfers before reaching the destination.
In general, FTL shipments pick up and deliver from the same truck, which results in faster delivery times.
Handling
Apart from the time sensitivity, you should also think about how fragile or risky the shipment is.
When you use FTL, the freight will remain in one truck, and not be moved to another location. This reduces the risk of items being damaged or missing while shipping FTL.
However, LTL shipments may switch trucks or be moved several times before delivery, which increases the chance of missing or damaged items.
The right method of shipping is vital to reduce costs and time for your business. If you’re looking for LTL as well as FTL shipping requirements, you should look no further than SIO Logistics! Contact us now.
