Once a company reaches a particular scale, it usually invests in its shipping fleet and creates a logistics division to manage the shipping process from a variety of perspectives. But this is not the case with small or medium companies. Due to their lack of a shipping fleet or an internal logistics team, the smaller firms are left with the option of outsourcing their transportation logistics or choosing the right shippers on their own to carry and complete their shipping process. Therefore, smaller companies usually depend on a Third-Party Logistics (3PL) supplier to provide the best shipping solutions for their unique distribution needs. And when it comes to freight shipping, there are usually two options: Full Truckload (FTL) and Less Than Truckload shipping (LTL).
Today, we will learn more about Full Truckload, its meaning, benefits, and even some of the drawbacks that it can fetch. To learn all about it, just keep reading.
What is FTL or Full Truck Load Shipping?
As its name suggests, FTL transportation incorporates transporting shipments that utilize a full truckload (or trailer). And the term ‘using the full truckload’ means that there are no other deliveries or pickups on the truck; the truck or trailer is solely used for one purpose only in Full Truck Load Shipping. However, it is also possible to use FTL for smaller orders as well, businesses often employ it for large-scale deliveries. While it is commonly used for large-scale deliveries, companies can choose FTL for small deliveries too.
You must note that there is no standard or solid rule on the size of shipment qualifying for FTL. What you need to understand is that most businesses rely on FTL shipping if they are trying to move 10 or more 10 pallets (with a weight of at least 15000 pounds or more).
When to choose FTL shipping?
With the bafflement of choosing the better option among FTL and LTL, it is important to take up all the pointers and compare them. Therefore, here we present a comprehensive and all-inclusive note on when to choose FTL. We hope that by using this information you will be able to make an educated decision. FTL or Full Truck Loan shipping is quite an ideal freight alternative for shippers who have ample cargo to top up a 48-foot or 53-foot trailer. Ideally, FTL is the right choice when you are shipping more than 12 pallets in one fell swoop.
If you are arranging the transportation yourself, you might need to go above and beyond to setup an efficient and cost-effective pipeline but if you relying on a dedicated load board for shippers (also known as freight brokers), you will need to just relax and let the experts do their job.
What are the benefits of FTL Shipping?
Just imagine having one full truck dedicated to your delivery only. What idea can you get from that? Rather than imagining, you must search for the benefits as well as drawbacks associated with FTL shipping. Before you make a decision, you have all the right to explore the advantages and disadvantages associated with the option. Rather than making you do all the homework, we are hereby jotting down the top advantages of FTL shipping and they include:
- Comparatively faster delivery: Since the carrier will not make stops in between the journey, your delivery will be faster. Therefore, FTL offers substantially faster delivery speeds than LTL.
- Tracking and security: You can easily track your FTL shipping by entering the PRO number. Since the whole carrier will be dedicated to your shipment only, there is more security too.
- Perfect for heavy shipments: Since the shipment will travel the entire distance in the same truck or trolly, there is no scope for load transfers which means, there is also no chance of damages.
- Well-suited for high-risk shipments: As mentioned above, there will be no load transfers as the shipment will travel in one truck only, FTL is especially beneficial for high-risk shipments or other shipments which are fragile.
While the aforementioned are the advantages, there are some drawbacks of FTL shipping too which need to be pondered over by the businesses. In short, making an informed decision includes considering both the good and bad sides. Consequently, you must understand FTL shipping, explore its benefits & drawbacks, compare them and make the decision accordingly.
