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Transport Services: A Look At Less Than Truck Load (LTL) And Full Truck Load (FTL) And The Differences

When shipping goods across Australia, you have two options for freight shipping: less than truck load (LTL) or full truck load (FTL). Depending on the load being carried, you will find one of these types of freight shipping more suitable for your situation than the other. Shipping rates for both vary based on distance carried, weight of the load, the classification of the freight, type of accessories included and whether there are any added fuel surcharges.

Less Than Truck Load (LTL) Is Suitable for Smaller Loads

If you have a fairly small load, LTL is a more suitable option. This means that the cargo that you are shipping does not have to take up all of the space available in a covered or enclosed 48 or 53-foot trailer. Instead, your cargo will be transported in the trailer with goods from other companies that are shipping goods to a destination along the same route.

Since you only pay for the amount of space that you use up, LTL shipping costs are generally significantly lower than FTL shipping costs although you may be required to pay additional fuel surcharges. Since LTL freight shipping involves delivering cargo and goods from multiple companies, delivery times may be a bit longer. Finding a truck route that meets your needs may also require some time.

Full Truck Load (FTL) Recommended for Bulk Shipments

Bulk shippers and those dealing with larger loads will benefit from FTL rather than LTL. FTL is designed for larger shipments and usually involves delivering goods from just one company. The FTL pricing includes fuel, insurance, labour and any additional fees and charges that may be involved with the cost of transport.

As you will be paying for all of the space, you can expect FTL freight shipping to be a bit more expensive when compared to LTL; however, your goods are generally more secure, as they are not stored with goods from other companies. You will not have to worry about the possibility of contamination. In addition, the delivery time for your shipment will be much shorter, and you can expect delivery times that are more accurate and services that are catered to the needs of your company.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of freight shipping available will help you choose which is most suited to the load that you are handling. Both LTL and FTL freight shipping have beneficial properties that make them ideal for different situations.

For more information, contact W G Davis & Sons Trucking Ltd. or a similar company.


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