Full Truckload: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

I know you’re probably wondering what full truckload is.

Or, you would like to learn more about full truckload.

Whichever the case, this guide will answer all your questions about full truckload.

So, keep reading to learn more.

What Is FTL (Full Truckload)?

Full truckload refers to when a single truck is dedicated to hauling a specific type of cargo. It mostly happens in situations when a shipper would like to send to his clients.

A large volume of goods is sufficient to fill up a truckload.

Full truckload is the transportation of foods of a single type using a truck. It is also used in cases where the shipper possesses more than a single type of cargo.

To ship, but it is safe to transport them together.

What Types Of Goods Are Transported By Full Truckload?

Full truckload tends to be suitable for homogenous shipping goods.

However, there might be exceptions, for example, where different goods are shipped together in a full truckload.

This care should be implemented to ensure that they are compatible to be carried in the same container.

In a case where shippers need to transport goods that cannot be mixed with others, FTL is needed. They tend to prefer shipping them in the form of a full truckload.

Goods that are sensitive to temperature variations also tend to be shipped as a full truckload. Breakbulk cargo is another type of good that tends to be transported as a full truckload.

What Are The Advantages Of Shipping Full Truckload?

Some of the advantages of shipping your goods as a full truckload include:

• When the volume of the goods is more than half or almost reaching a truckload. It is economical and efficient to hire a full container.
• You will be able to benefit from favorable rates which are offered by transporters of the full truckload.
• Using a full truckload will enable you to get a single consignment from a shipper. This will help you cut down a lot of costs.
• Shipments in a full truckload can be packed inside a container according to the specifications that you desire. This will help prevent potential damage while the goods are in transit to your point of delivery.
• Full truckload tends to be safer in shipping your goods than other types of shipments like LCL shipping.
• It entails less handling of cargo as cargo is only handled at the loading point and final destination. This also ensures their reduction in the potential cause of damage to your cargo.
• In full truckload, the operation tends to occur from point to point. There will be no need for stops to offload or load some cargo on the way. This will ensure that your goods reach faster as compared to other shipping methods.

When Should I Use Full Truckload?

You should use full truckload when:

• You require to ship very many pallets, which are over 12 at a single time.
• The products you would like to ship are delicate or fragile.
• You require pickup and delivery appointments by firms.
• The time needed for delivery of your products is very sensitive.
• When you require to cut down on shipping costs which are a large amount of freight, a full truckload is cost-effective when shipping goods in large quantities.
• You require special handling services for your cargo, for example, a flatbed or a refrigerated shipping container.
• Your cargo is of very high value because a full truckload eliminates the chances of it being stolen.

What Are The Types Of Full Truckload Shipping Services?

Some of the full truckload shipping services include:

Dry Van (Enclosed) Trailer

They are suitable for protecting cargo from elements that are harmful because of weather and road conditions.

Refrigerated (Reefer) Trailer

These are temperature-controlled and are good for the transportation of foods that are cold or frozen.

Due to the additional fuel required to control the temperature, these shipping services tend to be relatively costlier than other available options.

Flatbed Carriers:

These are open bed trailers that are versatile and are mostly used to transport cargo. That is large, for example, construction and manufacturing equipment.

Step Deck Trailer:

These shipping services resemble flatbed carrier designs and are mainly used in freight transportation with very high restrictions.

Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Trailer

It is a popular selection for freight that is long or tall because of its detachable front. It makes it possible to be dropped to the ground to form a ramp.

How Does Less Truckload Differ From Truckload Freight?

LTL differs from truckload freight in the following ways:

Transit Time And Handling

LTL shipping tends to combine shipments from multiple clients so that your freight is not the only one in the truck.

Space and cost will be shared with other company’s freight and will make several stops between different terminals during the shipping.

Truckload freight, on the other hand, entails only your freight on the truck.

The Carrier will only make a pickup at the point of origin, and his only stop will be at the destination point.

Weight And Shipment Size

LTL shipments tend to typically range between one and six pallets weight from 200 to 5000 pounds. Freight in LTL takes up less than 12 linear feet of the trailer.

Truckload freight shipment tends to range between 24 to 30 pallets and above.

Truckload freight ensures that the space your shipment occupies in the truck tends to have more impact than weight.

Therefore, truckload freight commonly tends to range from 5,000 pounds to 45,000 pounds and above.

Pricing

Pricing is the most vivid difference between truckload and LTL.

The pricing for LTL is regulated by National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA).

It tends to classify freight basing on its density, commodity, and ease of transportation.

LTL carriers tend to have standard pricing rates, which are established by your origin and destination points.

Your freight class will depend on the amount of space occupied in the truck and the accessories required.

Truckload shipping services freight prices, on the other hand, are dependent on the market. The negotiations for the cost happen whenever needed over the phone or through email because there are no pre-established rates.

The truckload freight rates tend to fluctuate even at times by the week, day, or even hour. Some of the factors that result in changes in pricing include; weight, truck capacity, location, origin and destination points, shipping lane or route, and fuel costs of operation.

Reefer Availability

LTL refrigerated shipments tend to be more difficult to secure and get than dry van LTL shipments. Lanes and temperatures determine most carriers for LTL freight.

In truckload freight, the reefer trailers and containers are readily available, and the temperature can range from o to 70 degrees. Your shipment can move on whichever schedule and temperature that you desire.

Are There Similarities Between Less Truckload and Full Truckload?

Some of the similarities between LTL and FTL shipping:

• They both transport freight over the road. However, some LTL carriers tend to make use of rail shipping in the movement of your freight.
• Both make use of semi-trucks.
• They need drivers who are well qualified and possess a commercial driver’s license.
• LTL and FTL are shipping both ship freight that is palletized.

What Is The Maximum Full Truckload Capacity?

The maximum full truckload capacity commonly ranges between 5,000 pounds to 45,000 pounds and above.

How Many Pallets Can You Ship In Full Truckload?

A full truckload can ship pallets ranging between 24 to 3o and above.

Can I Optimize My LTL Shipments Into Full Truckload Shipment? How?

Yes, you can optimize your LTL shipments into full truckloads to reduce transportation costs and improve truck usage.

Optimization will also help you to reduce the number of deliveries, empty mileage, and damage risk.

Some of how you can optimize full truckloads include:

• First, you will need to split up large volumes from a supplier to a producer into FTLs. When this step is carried out effectively, the transportation costs will be reduced.There will be extra space in the truck.A reduced number of deliveries and a reduced risk of cargo damage.

• The second step will be giving full truckload resources to reduce the time or empty mileage from one delivery location.That is to the following location for loading.This will ensure the satisfaction of all provided requirements.

What Are The Benefits Of Optimizing Less Than Truckloads To A Full Truckload?

Optimizing less than truckloads to a full truckload makes it possible to achieve results that are beneficial and optimal and reduces:

• The risk of management is due to shipping little air in the truck.
• Costs of transporting your cargo.
• The number of your deliveries
• Empty mileage
• Less C02 emissions thus reduce the impact on the environment.

Do Full Truckload Drivers Load Freight?

No, FTL drivers do not load freight onto the truck. In full truckload, the transport operator tends to load the cargo at the point of origin and seal the truck.

The FTL drivers are obliged to transport your freight from the point of origin to the destination point.

Which Factors Affect The Cost Of Full Truckload Freight Shipping?

Some of the factors which affect the cost of FTL freight shipping include:

1. The availability of the trucking lane
2. Lead time
3. Mileage
4. Fuel costs
5. Seasonality
6. Type of truck or trailer that you need

Which Accessorial Charges Are Common With Full Truckload Shipping?

In full truckload, you mostly have the attention undivided by a driver throughout the entire shipping process.

Full truckload carriers are a little bit more considerate with accessorial charges.

The accessorial charges tend to be about 15 minutes of detention or driver assistance in transit, which will last three days.

Can I Negotiate Full Truckload Shipping Costs?

Yes, you can negotiate shipping costs for a full truckload with your service provider.

This is because the truck will entirely transport your cargo, and FTL will help reduce transportation costs. The volume of your products can fill it up.

How Can I Avoid Surcharges And Accessorial Costs In Full Truckload Freight Shipping?

FTL freight shipping may be simple and a positive experience, but at times. It may result in shippers making small errors which may cost them.

When you give shipment information that is inaccurate or uncertain, you may be surprised by accessorial charges to your freight.

Potential fuel surcharges tend to affect the cost of FTL freight shipping.

Since the market price of fuel tends to influence this variable, logistics carriers tend to increase or lower.

It is regularly based on the average price of fuel.

You can avoid surcharges and accessorial costs in FTL freight by following some simple steps, which include:

• Prepare your shipment on time: Due to the restricted hours of service for drivers, there is reduced time for waiting on shipping.Therefore, you should ensure that your cargo is packed and fully prepared on the scheduled pickup date and time.This will not only ensure that you save on your budget.But also strengthen your relationship with all the third parties in the logistics process.

• Be aware of additional services: Most of the time, surcharges and accessorial costs tend to be imposed for additional services.There are a lot of extra services which carriers can offer. If you do not control them and they will charge you later.These include limited access delivery, liftgate service, hazardous material shipping, inside delivery, and others.Therefore, if you need cargo delivered or picked to a remote location or require loading equipment.This ensures that you discuss with the Carrier earlier.

• Provide accurate information: To avoid surcharges and accessorial costs. It is important to give the correct information about your shipment.Ensure that you give accurate weight, dimensions, and other load characteristics of your cargo that may affect your final shipment.It is also important to ensure that you provide an accurate address and giving many delivery details as possible.

What Are The Key Considerations When Choosing A Full Truckload Shipping Company?

Some of the key considerations when choosing a truckload shipping company include:

• Total mileage: The distance that shipments cover is an important consideration when selecting a truckload shipping company.Truckload shipping companies tend to charge more for longer distances due to increased fuel usage and travel time.
• Trucking lanes: Trucking lanes used by the shipping company will affect the total costs you will have to incur when selecting truckload shipping companies.It is essential to select companies that ship products in your origin and destination routes to ensure convenience.
• Customer service history and proof of reliability: It is important to know what the customers are saying about the truckload shipping company before engaging them in business.They should also demonstrate that they will be able to deliver your cargo promptly.

• Technological advancement and utilization: Selecting truckload shipping companies that have embraced technological advancement and strive to deliver efficient services. A good truckload shipping company will tend to use technology to cut down the operation costs.

Are My Shipments Insured When Shipping Full Truckload?

Yes, full truckload shipping makes it possible for you to have insurance options to ensure the safety of your cargo while it is being shipped.

It is important to ensure that anything can happen to your cargo while on the road; thus, it is important to secure it with the necessary precautions.

What Are The Policies For Shipping Valuable Goods Via Full Truckload?

When shipping valuable goods using FTL, here are some of the policies which you should observe:

• Protect all cargo: It is important to ensure that you use the correct packaging to make sure that the valuable goods arrive in the right condition.This is essential because in case of damage while the valuable goods are in transit.It may result in the incurrence of void carrier liability coverage.

• Prepare for loading and unloading: Packing valuable goods in the full truckload tends to be the shipper’s responsibility.Ensure that you plan the layout of your load and coordinate between the point of origin and destination.

• Give accurate information: It is important to state the exact rates and transit times needed for your valuable goods.To make it easy to plan for your shipment.You should provide the correct information on the sizes, dimensions, and weight of your freight, as this will ensure efficient delivery.

What Are The Timelines In Full Truckload Shipping?

The transit times in full truckload are very fast as your shipment goes straight to your drop-off destination.

It also makes it easy and meaningful to track the driver.

As they will arrive within the estimated arrival time stated in your Transport Management System (TMS).

Full truckload ensures that no delays are resulting from multiple stops along the way to your destination.

When using full truckload shipping, it is important to state clearly the timelines that you need your shipment to arrive.

Do Full Truckload Carriers Offer Expedited Shipping?

Yes, full truckload carriers do offer expedited shipping to ensure they help you accomplish your goal.

There is always a tremendous amount of lead-time in cases of shipment, which is critical.

In such cases, expedited shipping will let you know what you are dealing with as soon as possible.

This will give you a chance to make proper arrangements to ensure that your shipment arrives in the appropriate manner and time.

Full truckload carriers will help in the delivery of your goods at the last minute.

Where you have a delivery of high profile that needs to be delivered within a short timeline, expedited shipping is offered. A full truckload carrier will offer you a helping hand.

How Does Full Truck Load Compare To FCL?

Full container load (FCL) refers to when you purchase the entire space inside a container.

FCL is very important for sizeable and large volume shipments, and most companies select it.

Full truckload (FTL) requires the entire space to fulfill your shipment, and the cargo will entirely consist of your goods.

FTL gives you a very great level of control over the entire shipment process.

As the truck is entirely dedicated to you and the driver only makes necessary stops.

FTL is a faster process in which you will encounter very few problems throughout the entire process.

What Are The Drawbacks Of Full Truckload Shipping?

FTL shipping has very few drawbacks, some of which include:

• While you can fill a full truckload shipment primarily, at the time, you cannot manage.In such cases, you will have to incur a greater average price based on the total cost of each item delivered.

• You will be required to agree to delivery schedules that are fixed and determine by the Carrier of your cargo.This is because drivers tend to go in one route, and thus you must fit with their delivery schedule.

At Tj chinafreight, we will help you in all shipping from China.

For any inquiries about full truckload shipping, contact us now.