LTL vs. FTL Shipping: Info About Methods of Freight Transportation
If you regularly ship freight across the country with your business, you are probably always on the lookout for services that can guarantee timely delivery in a safe, cost-effective manner. There are several different methods of shipping cargo, the most common of which are full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) shipping. Which one you choose depends on the size of your shipment, your budget, how quickly you need it delivered and the kind of freight you’re shipping.
Here are some of the pros and cons of each to help you choose which method of freight transportation in Aurora, CO will work best for you.
LTL shipping
As far as the pros of LTL shipping go, perhaps the biggest is that you won’t have to pay for a full truck. Instead, you’ll be able to share the cost with other people shipping their own freight. This is especially helpful if you run a small business with lower shipping needs, but it can still be cost-effective for larger companies as well.
LTL shipping allows you to send your freight to locations all across the United States and Canada securely and safely with pallets or skids. Ultimately, it is an extremely cost-effective transportation option when you have small shipping needs.
There are, of course, some drawbacks. There might not be as many shipping routes for LTL freight as there are for FTL freight. If you have some particularly sensitive cargo that requires special care or training, this might not be a good option either, as the freight will likely be transported to and from multiple terminals. Shipping can also take longer, because you’re sharing the truck with other companies.
Not all carriers that offer LTL shipping have their own hubs, and might require assistance from third parties in some locations. This could also increase costs in some circumstances.
FTL shipping
FTL shipping is beneficial for high-value cargo, because you get the whole truck to yourself. This also means shipments can be completed faster, because you don’t have to worry about other companies’ items needing to be dropped off. If you have more than six to eight pallets to ship, this will also give you a more cost-effective delivery method, because you won’t have to split your cargo among as many shipments as you would if you decided to opt for LTL shipping instead. Finally, FTL shipments usually come with more accurate quotes when talking with the shipping company, as carriers typically have set rates based on cargo weight and location of delivery.
The downside of FTL shipping is that it often costs much more than LTL shipping. FTL carriers also might not have value-added services like handling at pickup and delivery points, and they could have some extra restrictions with regard to the flexibility of moving cargo in the event of breakdowns or other circumstances.
For more information about whether FTL or LTL shipping is right for your needs, contact Osage Specialized Transport today to discuss how freight management in Aurora, CO can benefit you.
