What Is LTL Freight? A Comprehensive Guide for Shippers

 

What is LTL Freight

Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight shipping is a mode of transportation that has taken the logistics and freight dispatching industry by storm. It is a viable option for carriers and shippers looking to cut down on shipping and delivery costs. This is why, unlike full-truckload (FTL) shipping, where the whole truck is leased for a particular shipment, LTL freight shipping permits many shipments of different shippers or businesses to be consolidated into one and is more informative and cost-effective.  

The question remains whether LTL freight shipping services are the best fit for your carrier business. If you have no idea what it is, then this article will help explain LTL freight meaning and make the right decision. Let's begin! 

Understanding LTL Freight Meaning: Key Characteristics and Advantages 

Understanding this shipping strategy's key characteristics and advantages is crucial before you schedule your first LTL freight shipping operation. While navigating your way into the realm of logistics and operations, you are most likely to come across the term "Less-than-Truckload (LTL) freight shipping," but what does it mean? To determine whether this shipment option is appropriate, we will review the points in the section below. 

What Is LTL Freight? 

LTL freight or less-than-truckload freight is almost precisely what the term implies – Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight means that a small volume of shipment from different shippers is combined to form one single big shipment that will be accommodated in a single truck. This concept is the equivalent of carpooling for your shipments and provides a freight shipping service without needing to use the entire truck.  

LTL shipping is crucial as it helps micro, small, and medium-sized businesses ensure they can quickly deliver their goods to the end receiver safely within the deadline. Due to small business owners in the past years, LTL freight shipping has remained a key characteristic in the productivity of any business in the logistics industry.  

Key Characteristics: 

The cargo volumes of LTL shipments are small, generally defined under characteristics given below: 

  • Trailer space of less than 12 linear feet. 

  • Weight around 150 lbs – 15000 lbs (about 6803.88 kg)  

  • Less than one full-sized truck 

  • Number of pallets should not exceed 10 

 

4 Benefits of LTL Freight Shipping In 2024 

LTL freight shipping is all about resource optimization and efficiency. It offers a wide range of benefits to carriers and shippers alike. Let's discuss some of them below: 

  • Cost-Efficient for Small & Medium-Sized Businesses 

LTL freight is beneficial for small and medium businesses because of cost-sharing. They only pay for the area their goods occupy, reducing their transportation costs. 

  • Cost Effective for Carriers, Truckers and Owner Operators 

With proper planning of your time with LTL freight shipping, carriers, truckers, and owner-operators can satisfy the needs of many shippers in a single simplified route, which means less resources, fuel, and almost everything else. 

  • Improved Flexibility and Accessibility 

LTL freight is one of the most affordable and convenient shipping options available on the market today for businesses. They can deal with many carriers and points without getting locked into full loads. 

  • Reduced Environmental Impact 

LTL freight is much more environmentally friendly in shipments, enabling truckers to group many shipments and pack the cargo. That way, it eliminates the number of trucks on the road and reduces fuel usage, pollution levels, and greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

Final Words 

LTL freight shipping is not an easy job, and carriers, truckers, owner-operators and shippers alone often require assistance, but where can they get help? Many people are unaware that third-party logistics service providers exist to help both carriers and shippers. You can be the right choice if you want a 3PL service provider with LTL freight shipping services! Contact Us Now! 

 

 

 

 

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