FTL / Full Truck Load
Picture your store is planning to open a new location in two weeks. Your company would need to transport a lot of products in a timely fashion, in order to ensure that the store is fully stocked with said products before the grand opening. In this scenario we would recommend a Full Truck Load service or (FTL) for short. With a FTL you would be purchasing a dedicated truck with a 53’ dry van in which we would only store your freight. Since the entire truck is dedicated to your freight, the journey is usually direct with no stops which results in quicker delivery times.
Here’s a breakdown of Full Truck Loads:
- Definition: A Full Truck Load (FTL) refers to when one customer rents the entire space of a truck for their freight. Your goods will be the only cargo on that truck.
- Direct Transit: The entire truck is dedicated to your freight, so the journey is usually direct with no stops to pick up or drop off other shipments. This can result in quicker delivery times compared to shared or partial loads.
- Volume and Weight: FTL is typically used when the freight is large enough to fill (or nearly fill) an entire truck or when a shipper has a preference for their goods to be transported alone. This can be around 10 or more pallets or when the cargo weighs more than 15,000 pounds.
- Safety: With FTL, since the freight isn’t being loaded and unloaded at multiple stops (as is common with Less-Than-Truckload or LTL shipments), there’s an overall reduced risk of damage.
- Pricing: FTL rates are usually priced based on the distance and the lane rather than the weight or freight class. It can be more cost-effective for large shipments compared to LTL rates.
- Flexibility: With FTL, you often have more flexibility regarding pick-up and delivery times. Since you’re the sole client for that haul, carriers can accommodate specific time windows more easily.
- Special Requirements: If your freight has particular requirements, such as refrigeration or other specific handling instructions, FTL might be the best choice as the entire truck can be tailored to your needs.
In conclusion, if you have a substantial amount of freight or if you want your goods to be the exclusive items on a truck for any reason (whether that’s for speed, safety, or specific requirements), Full Truck Load shipping is an excellent option for you!