If what you’re preparing to ship is too large to be delivered as a package, you have two freight shipping alternatives: full truckload (FTL) & less-than-truckload (LTL). The logistics responsible for both of these modes are incredibly varied, but in the end, they will ship your freight where it needs to go.
You need to take into consideration several elements when you start your search for the ideal freight business to deliver your products despite whether you pick LTL or FTL. Have a look at this summary of each setting and a list of the leading freight companies to help you examine your alternatives.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Shipping Carriers
If your freight is also too large to be taken into consideration for a standard package delivery but does not need a semi-truck entirely to itself, it’s most likely an LTL shipment. LTL freight companies incorporate multiple LTL shipments to create a singular truck consisting of different LTL loads. This consolidation makes the most of the performance of the truck and also cut down on costs.
LTL shipping could be the appropriate option for you if your freight weighs over 150 pounds, yet less than 15k pounds, and also you wish to lower your total transportation prices.
Advantages of LTL Freight Companies
When you deliver LTL, you only pay for the section of the trailer your freight uses up, rather than the full trailer. This distinction is cheaper and also the most efficient option for many companies.
You can also get additional services when you ship LTL, which include liftgate, minimal accessibility abilities, expedited shipping alternatives, and inside delivery and pick up.
The Best LTL Carriers
These are the top LTL carriers in the U.S., conferring to Logistics Management Magazine:
- Old Dominion Freight Line
- FedEx Freight
- UPS Freight
- YRC Regional
- Estes Express Lines
- XPO Logistics
- ABF Freight System
- Southeastern Freight Lines
- Saia Motor Freight Line
- Holland Regional
Full Truckload (FTL) Shipping Carriers
FTL shipments are usually understood to be one of the most affordable options for moving freight if the freight can loading a whole trailer – shipments that are higher than 5k to 10k pounds – are usually the perfect weight for FTL shipments. The typical weight that can efficiently deliver on a trailer is typically in between 42k as well as 44k pounds.
Full truckload shipping is additionally the go-to freight transportation choice if you intend to ship cargo that has unique needs. These can consist of almost anything from needing a flatbed trailer to a truck with climate control for temp-sensitive products.
Advantages of FTL Freight Companies
As opposed to LTL shipments, which often make several stops and are transferred between trucks several times before getting to their location, FTL freight does not call for any kind of added action. This routing indicates that shipping freight full truckload is typically a much quicker alternative than shipping LTL.
Various kinds of transportation readily available for FTL shipping include:
- Flatbed Carriers
- Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Trailers
- Refrigerated (Reefer) Trailers
- Step Deck Trailers
- Dry Van Trailer
The Best FTL Carriers
These are the leading FTL carriers in the United States, likewise according to Logistics Management Publication:
- Prime
- J.B. Hunt Transport
- Landstar System
- C.R. England
- Werner Enterprises
- Schneider National
- U.S. Xpress Enterprises
- CRST International
- Swift Transportation
- Crete Carrier Corp.
Consider these points with when selecting between LTL & FTL freight companies:
- Your shipment dimension
- The goal delivery timeline
- Your budget plan
- Whether the cargo is delicate or temp-sensitive
Differences Between LTL Freight Companies and LTL Truck Carriers
Freight Companies operate under the MTM (Main Terminals Carrier) and RVU (Registered Warehousers and Transporters) system. The two systems are slightly different, but each is very similar to the other. The significant difference is that a licensed Registered Warehouser who is employed by a commercial freight carrier may not perform any functions of a terminal operator or may perform only those actions authorized for him/her by the carrier.
There are three types of LTL or Generalized Terminals that LTL or MTM Freight Companies can use to load or unload their cargo. These three types are traditional, connector, and shipper. The definition for a terminal is a building where the warehousers and truck carriers perform their daily operations. This building is also where the freight transporters park and wait for customers.
Terminal buildings of other businesses that do business with freight carriers are called Terminals. The term MTM or Main Terminal Carrier generally refers to any such building that the freight carriers operate.
Trucks that carry freight from one place to another are called semi-trucks. Trucks can transport products, materials, and of course, people. Freight Trucks come in all shapes and sizes. They can be large as it’s necessary to transport goods to different places and they can be small enough to transport one product at a time.
LTL Freight Companies can use any type of truck or vehicle they want to transport their freight. Trucks are an essential element of Freight Companies because trucks can load and unload the goods.
The kind of truck and the manufacturer and model that the carriers use is called the type of truck. Different carriers use different freight trucks because of their specialties. There are different types of semi-trucks for various functions like the sort that carriers use for cargo shipping, the type used for intermodal storage, and the style used for short-haul delivery.
All LTL Trucking Companies are required to use certain types of trucks because of safety regulations. However, some companies can choose to get other types of trucks. Most companies use Ford, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Toyota, and Ram trucks for hauling freight. LTL carriers that use freight trucks made by Ford and GMC are called registered shippers.
Shippers are required to pay a no less than a certain amount per ton for each truck. The carrier is not allowed to charge more than the minimum cost for their trucks. Freight shippers are to file a yearly report of the amount of truck cargo they transported in their previous year.
Registered Transporter LTL Carriers
Other LTL carriers are registered transporters. They are not required to pay the shipper or load limit fees, but they can charge the service charge.
There are other LTL truck carriers and LTL carrier groups that help freight companies with unloading and loading their cargo. They can also perform the duties of shippers and truck drivers. They also have the same rights as shippers and drivers to hire and fire employees.
Another notable difference between LTL freight companies and LTL carriers is that a truck carrier cannot load or unload on its property. A carrier must have a site that specifically for cargo and an additional location that is used by the trucker to park his truck. For example, a carrier that transports beverages must also have a secure loading dock or pay a fee to have a private loading dock.
LTL truck carriers that provide services for truckers are also different than LTL freight companies. LTL carriers that offer freight services are registered transporters. They must use a secure loading dock or pay a fee to have a private loading dock.
Fleet Concepts has a vast network of one of the most well-respected ground freight companies in the United States. The TMS can additionally connect intermodal freight equally as fast. Fleet Concepts gives you access to the most affordable shipping rates in the industry for LTL as well as FTL shipping.