Every business that needs to move their shipments, needs to be aware of both FTL and LTL shipping methods. Before you choose to go with either of the shipping methods, you must have proper information regarding the same. This article will help you gain essential information regarding FTL and LTL as we have analyzed the both in detail.
What is LTL?
In general, LTL shipment is abbreviated as’ less than truckload ‘, and here the load will not occupy the whole truck, which approximately weighs 10 to 100 thousand pounds, sometimes less than that too. Also, for an LTL shipment, we are allowed to pay only for the space thus occupied by the load in the truck.
For example, let us say that we have a shipment that fills only one-fourth of the space of the truck. We need to pay only for that one-fourth of the occupied space, and here the remaining space of the truck will be filled with other small shipment loads accordingly by another business.
Based on these considerations, LTL shipments are widely used by small businesses as they ship small weights or quantities and thus usually search for more cost-savings with budget-friendly options. Eventually, this could benefit the trucking services too, who are newly starting, as they could be the choice for every small organization.
Apart from these considerations, there are a few drawbacks to LTL shipments as this process involves low-weight loads; the delivery time will usually be delayed. The main reason for this could be to include different small packages at the same time in the same truck, as they will have many continual delivery spots to onboard with. So if you need fast delivery, then FTL could be a good choice for operating over LTL.
What is FTL?
Loads that weigh more than twenty thousand pounds need an FTL or full truckload shipment. In other terms, if one needs to move more than 10 pallets, then FTL service will be useful. At times, even if the shipment does not include heavy loads, one can choose FTL for having a safe delivery on high-margin risk loads.
Benefits of LTL and FTL
Both shipments do have benefits. However, many carriers widely use LTL for shipping as most small or newly started companies have fewer requirements. Only when the load’s weight is above 20 thousand pounds, they go for FTL.
For now, let us look at a few benefits of using LTL and FTL trucking services-
Cost-effectiveness
When considering cost-effectiveness or negotiation, FTL (“full truckload”) one can choose as the services offer reasonable prices for the entire shipment. LTL, or “less than truckload,” will have a few extra delivery charges because it includes shipments from different companies.
Mitigated Risks
Every trucking service does come with reduced risks while delivering the shipment. Most carriers make sure to place cargo in an organized way so that it will not damage other cargo. This is true especially for LTL shipment, as it carries different company loads at the same time. Thus, we will be risk-free from any damage.
Hassle-free
The accuracy of the trucking services will be higher as professionals will haul both types of loads. One doesn’t need to bother when is the pickup or the delivery time and what are the climate conditions at delivery location. Thus, we can gain the benefit of being hassle-free with both FTL and LTL.
Timely Operative
Both the trucking services, FTL and LTL, operate according to the prescribed time, slot availability and plan of the shipment. The time benefit will remain the same with both FTL and LTL as they operate as per the time assigned for the cargo shipments.
So, when moving shipments, there will be external factors to consider like the price of the shipment, size of the load, and speed involved in delivering the shipment. We at US Ravens, can guide you in choosing the better one for your load as we provide both LTL and FTL services. Get in touch with us today.