By Shipping goods has multiple steps to it and one of them is figuring out which method of shipping you want to make use of. Less than Truckload or LTL Shipping is an ideal way to transport your goods when you have small shipments or don’t want to rent an entire truck. It is one of the most convenient and cost-effective methods to ship your goods. It is a very popular method of freight shipment. We are here to answer some of the most common questions about LTL shipping.
What is LTL Shipping?
Less than truckload or LTL freight shipping is a method that is ideal for transporting goods between 150 to 30,000 pounds. This type of shipping doesn’t require you to rent the whole truck but only use the amount of space that you need. In LTL you only pay for the space that you are using. The remaining space is paid for by the other companies. Hence, it is a cost-effective way to ship your products. It is ideal for smaller consignments and for small businesses.
Is it safe?
Whenever you are shipping your goods, one thing that you are worried about is the safety of the consignment. Especially when the items in the consignment are small. When you opt for LTL, the consignments are placed in crates or pellets which helps to ensure that all your goods travel safely to their destination.
How does this type of shipping work?
LTL shipping works on the spoke and hub model. The spoke and hub model is one in which there are larger central terminals which are referred to as hubs. Then there are local terminals which are referred to ask spokes.
Should you opt for shipping the parcel or LTL?
If the weight of your consignment is above 150 pounds then LTL is the perfect option for you. However, it is always best to reach out to expert service providers who would be able to share the competitive pricing for shipping the parcel through LTL.
What is the difference between FTL and LTL shipping?
FTL or Full Truckload shipment means renting the whole trailer and filling the space to its limit. Irrespective of whether you fill-up the whole space or not, you would be paying for the whole trailer. Whereas in Less than Truckload shipping, you only pay for the space that you are using. The rest of the space in the trailer is taken up by other businesses.
How to prepare the shipment?
To prepare the LTL shipment you first have to take the dimensions of the package. Measure the height, width and length of the freight. Once you have done that, round up the number to an inch. After the measurements are done, ensure that you place all the heavy items at the bottom of the crate or pallet. Place a label on this side. It is crucial to ensure that bill of landing is completed properly as this also works as the receipt for the consignment.
