Transportation and logistics allow you to move heavy and oversized cargo safely and efficiently with the right and experienced freight forwarders. The cargo or loads transported by logistics companies vary in size and weight and require specific transportation methods, such as Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping.
Established and specialist logistics providers such as Heavy Haulers, including domestic parcel services, provide these services.
What is LTL Freight?
LTL freight shipping moves small loads or cargo that only fills one truck or requires an entire trailer. It is suitable for 150 to 15,000 pounds or 1 to 10 pallets. This shipping method allows you to pay only for the space your cargo takes up.
Other carriers share remaining shipping space up to capacity. The carrier consolidates cargo from multiple customers into a single trailer, making it a cost-effective method for small cargo carriers or companies that frequently transport smaller batches of goods or cargo.
The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) helps determine LTL freight shipping costs by establishing a classification or grouping standard. The model uses 18 classes, ranging from 50 on the low end to 500 on the high end.
In addition, the trucks used in LTL have variable capacities; a 16-footer has 800 cubic feet, while a 26-footer has 1,400 cubic feet. Different carriers generally have their own size and capacity limits and rules. Optimizing capacity and space use requires cargo carriers to ensure that loads are wrapped to form a box.
Should you get dedicated or shared transportation for your LTL cargo?
LTL allows shippers to choose a preferred shipping method, such as dedicated or shared transportation, for your cargo.
The choice between dedicated and shared transportation for your LTL cargo is determined by several factors, including:
- cost
- security
- Urgency
- flexibility
- route
Dedicated transportation for your LTL cargo
This is a specialized type of shipment in which trucks, trailers and drivers are dedicated to a specific customer or route. When you obtain dedicated transportation for your LTL cargo, the entire trailer is dedicated exclusively to your shipment, minimizing the risk of loss and damage.
While this method can be expensive, as you pay for exclusivity and flexibility, it gives you more control over the pickup and delivery schedule with minimal or no delays, making it ideal for time-sensitive cargo.
Carpooling for your LTL cargo
This method combines or consolidates your load with the loads of other customers shipping in the same direction. It reduces the number of trucks needed for shipping, making it efficient in the use and optimization of resources.
Shared transportation is more cost-effective than dedicated transportation because the costs are spread among different carriers using the same truck or trailer. However, it is prone to delays as drivers make multiple stops to deliver other customers’ loads.
It also has less control over pickup and delivery time, making it unsuitable for time-sensitive loading.
Choosing between shared and dedicated transportation for your LTL cargo requires you to consider your shipping needs, the pros and cons, the sensitivity of your cargo, and your budget to make an informed decision.
How to Ship LTL Freight Safely
An expert shipping company should guide your LTL shipping needs to ensure your shipment is protected and delivered safely and on time. In general, the safest protocol for LTL freight is palletizing and packing.
They prevent damage and loss and facilitate the loading and unloading of carriers. When packing or palletizing is not suitable, an expert carrier recommends wrapping to improve the stability and security of the shipment.
Here are the steps to ship LTL freight safely.
Step 1: Choose a trusted and trusted carrier
Secure LTL shipping starts with choosing the right specialized carrier, depending on your cargo and preferred method. Consider a carrier with a proven track record and experience moving cargo safely, especially delicate and time-sensitive cargo.
Step 2: Get a quote
When you use LTL shipping, you get a freight quote from your carrier. This quote estimates shipping costs to help you set or adjust your budget. You can get a quote directly from your carrier, broker or online marketplace.
Step 3: Prepare your shipments and schedule a pickup date
Loads improperly prepared for shipment are the leading cause of damage and loss during transit. Consider the size, weight and sensitivity of the cargo and let your carrier guide or help you prepare it. Depending on the type of cargo, this step involves palletizing, packing or wrapping.
Step 4: Track your shipment
Once the cargo is loaded, make sure your carrier has tracking services to update you on the status of the shipment. This will also help you respond quickly to any situation to keep your cargo safe.
LTL freight shipping may not be a one-size-fits-all solution to your transportation needs. Still, it presents several advantages and flexibility for small cargo carriers. Understanding the process by working with experienced experts like Heavy Haulers for specialized services is vital.
