Moving your goods from one point to the other seems to be a rather straightforward process right? However, deciding on what carrier to use and the shipping method can throw the entire process out in the open to challenges. When it comes to shipping, you need to worry about a lot more factors than just price. One of the longest battles in shipping is the age-old battle between quality and price. Although there are a number of factors that influence the shipping method, the key debate among the factors is whether to ship via FTL (Full Truckload) or LTL (Less Than Truckload). Full Truckload or FTL has a number of benefits key among them being enhanced speed and security. It must be understood however that these benefits come at a price. Renting an entire trailer space can be a costly endeavor compared to Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping. So why Go For Full Truckload Shipping?
Less Damage
Full Truckload cargo undergo little handling during transit compared to Less Than Truckload shipping. Full Truckload cargo does not need to be consolidated or deconsolidated as the size of the goods and the space is already predetermined before moving. Less handling of your cargo reduces the risk of mishandling, breakages and loss of items giving you a peace of mind and less having to worry about insurance claims.
Speed
In Full Truckload shipping, the goods remain intact and in a single truck throughout the entire journey. This means that the transporters’ only focus is to deliver the goods to you as soon as possible. The entire trip eliminates some extra steps common in Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping where goods need to be consolidated and deconsolidated at the docks for them to get to their specific destinations. Having your goods being handled several times means that the whole trip will take longer and expose your goods to potential damage.
Best for Variety Goods
If you are dealing with large items that exceed 10,000 pounds or 12-15 cubic meters, then Full Truckload shipping is the way to go. The same applies for goods that are hazardous or non-stackable cargo. In most cases, more than one hazardous cargo should never be allowed in the same truck meaning that if you decide to ship Less Than Truckload (LTL), the delivery time will be longer as you will have to ship the items separately. While most shippers do not see the need to transport cargo that does not fill the entire volume and weight dimension of the trailer through Full Truckload shipping, the small cost that converts your LTL load to FTL cannot be compared to the cost you would incur in case of breakages and damages.
Whereas Full Truckload shipping is not a preferred choice for people who do not ship mass amounts of good, there are immense benefits that come with this mode of shipping. Since there is little or no consolidation and deconsolidation of goods, you can rest assured that you will get your products safely in a fast and convenient manner.