What would be the best mode for your freight–LTL or Truckload (TL)?

The major differences and how to decide which is best for you!

If you’re a shipper, you might know that you can lower your logistics costs by selecting the right shipping mode. There is frequently no genuine decision to be taken because shipments are frequently clearly identifiable as either truckload (TL) or less-than-truckload (LTL). However, it isn’t always the case. Sometimes your company’s profit margin might suffer greatly from just a few bad shipping decisions. Therefore, let us tell you about the major differences between the two so that you can make the right decision.

When your choice should be Less- Than-Truckload (LTL)

The shipping option most suited for shipments that need less room than a complete truck is called LTL, as the name suggests. And the majority of LTL shipments weigh between 100 and 10,000 pounds on average. Full-size trailers can hold 45,000 pounds, so LTL is the most cost-effective option for these shipments. Rather than paying a flat fee for the whole truck’s weight and capacity, shippers only pay for what they actually utilize.

Large or irregularly shaped products or those that need more processing at the destination, are frequently best served by LTL carriers, who often provide more personalized delivery services

When to use LTL

If you are transporting 12 pallets or fewer
Your items are robust and are well-packaged
The schedule and delivery is rather flexible
Your priority is cost effectiveness

When using an LTL carrier, make sure you are aware of any additional costs, such as lift gate requirements, restricted access, etc., that may be incurred during

When your choice should be Truckload (TL)

Full Truckload should be your choice of shipping if you’re shipping really big packages that can fill up a semi-trailer. A complete truckload typically consists of between 26 and 30 pallets. If you use an FTL carrier, you will be charged for the full storage space of a trailer. Freight transported in this manner is often transported by a single carrier, making just a few stops and never being unloaded from the trailer, unlike LTL freight.

When to use FTL

If you are shipping more than 12 pallets
Your product is delicate
You have set times for the pickup and delivery
Time-sensitive delivery

In contrast to LTL rates, which are more complicated and comprised of a tariff and other more difficult to calculate components, full TL provides more predictable pricing (often a set or per mile fee). Due to equipment size restrictions on where 48′ and 53′ trailers may unload, the service that TL carriers provide is more rigid.

This shows that LTL and Truckload both provide advantages that are best suited to certain scenarios. Finding the right balance between price and quality may be a challenge for you. That is where we step in. In certain cases, the LTL cost of a package will exceed the cost of renting a full truck. Because the rates, product mix (freight class), and service needs of every organization vary, there is no universal formula or calculation.

We at Vineyard Brokerage are here to streamline transportation management for our customers with the help of our in-depth industry knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and excellent customer service. We have a team of logistics specialists ready to assist you in making an informed decision about which shipping mode will be best suited for you. You can trust us to analyze your transportation requirements and provide you with the finest transportation options for your shipping needs. We provide Full Truckload, Less-Than-Truckload, intermodal and expedited service.

With you every step of the way!