This article will learn more about the advantages and characteristics of full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL). Also, the differences between FTL and LTL will be discussed and simplified for you, so you will know exactly which service will be beneficial for your shipment.

What Is Truckload?

The freight is transported by road in large quantities of shipments (usually over 4.500 kilograms) in a truckload (TL). It means a trailer up to 16 meter long and filled with freight. The freight must be full capacity or more than half of the trailer to be classified as a truckload.

What Is Full Truckload (FTL)?

A full truckload (FTL) is when a single shipment moves from one destination to another to shorten travel time, but unfortunately more expensive. This is because only one customer pays for all the travelling costs involved in shipping the particular products.

What Is Less Than Truckload (LTL)?

When the term less than truckload (LTL) is being used, it refers to freight that is less than the trailer's capacity. This is a more cost-effective way of transporting goods. Because of extra free space in the trailer or container, an array of shippers will ship their freight in one container, so you only pay for the portion of your freight.

There are three main benefits when using LTL:

1. You can track the PRO number, and the number of days to deliver the shipment is shown on all trackable freight
2. Because different shipments are used in one freight, the carbon footprint is drastically reduced
3. Extended service to shippers using LTL is inside deliveries, lift gates, pickups, notification options and non-commercial delivery

What Is the Difference Between Full Truckload (FTL) and Less Than Truckload (LTL)?

All heavy and oversized shipments are allocated to full truckload transport services, which means that less than truckload service is the optimal choice if you want to ship much smaller loads. Here follows a more detailed explanation of each truckload.

A FTL is when a single customer, in other words, a single load, is transported by road. These freights are loads that occupy the whole trailer. These loads usually consist of goods that need regulated temperatures like seafood or delicate goods such as fruits and vegetables.

LTL shipping is a freight of a combination of shipments from many customers in one truckload. Each customer does not need a FTL, so many customers use the opportunity to fill up the freight and only pay the size, class, amount, weight, and the shipment density and duration of travel. That is why it is the most cost-effective manner of getting goods from point A to point B on land transport services.

There you have it! We simplified all the terms for you to make an easier, more informed choice when shipping your goods.