LTL Freight

What Does LTL Mean In Freight?

Less-than-truckload (LTL) Shipping is a cost-effective, reliable, and efficient method for shipping LTL. LTL freight shipping is a shipment that only requires part of the 48 or 53-ft truck. Hence the term “less than truckload.” LTL is transportation that does not need a whole truckload space. Think of LTL shipping like rideshare for freight. Your freight shares space in the trailer with other shippers’ cargo.

Rather than hiring a full truckload for smaller shipments, LTL shipping allows shippers to (in essence) split the cost of a truckload among several shippers. The shipper is charged only for the area their cargo uses. This is called capacity sharing, and using capacity sharing, reduces costs for shippers. LTL freight shipments can range anywhere from 150 lbs up to 19,9999 lbs. If you ship smaller loads, LTL is perfect for you!

When To Use Less-Than-Load Freight For Shipping?

Less-Than-Load freight shipping saves you money. Freight shipping is the easiest way to move large and bulky items quickly and affordably. You can save money with less-than-truckload shipping when you don’t need a full truckload. Shipping Less-than-load Freight is best for a shipper with freight under 20,000 pounds and when one does not require a full trailer. Consider Less-Than-Load when looking to maximize cost savings.

LTL Freight Service Is Best When:

• Freight weighing more than 150 pounds.
• Large, dense, or bulky items.
• Palletized or crated shipments.
• Shipments that don’t require the use of the entire trailer.
• Shipping Freight through local terminals and distribution centers.
• Business shippers and individuals who want affordable freight rates

5 Benefits Of LTL Shipping:

1. Reduces freight shipping costs: When booking an LTL shipment, you only pay for the portion of the trailer used. Other shippers’ items in the trailer cover the rest of the cost.
2. Handle your E-commerce: In an eCommerce-heavy economy, businesses need to ensure their shipping methods line up with the needs of their customers. LTL shipping improves delivery speeds by getting your shipments, inventory, or items to you ASAP.
3. Increases security: Most LTL shipments are on pallets before being loaded into a truck. Loose items and several smaller items not palletized are not ideal for LTL. The better your items are packaged, the better chance it has to arrive safely at their destination.
4. Extra service options: When Shipping Less-than-truckload Freight, you can access special services like liftgates and inside pick-up and delivery.
5. Online tracking and tracking by Text: Most LTL carriers provide full tracking online by using either a PO number, the bill of lading number, or the shipment reference number.

What Is LTL Freight Shipping?

Shipping LTL (Less-than-truckload) is how small to mid-sized businesses ship partial truckload shipments without paying for a full 53-foot trailer. Shipping full truckload trailers can be expensive and add up even quicker if you send them often. Hiring a full truckload for shipments that do not use the trailer’s total space relatively wastes your company’s money. Although LTL shipping has many factors that decide how your package will deliver, let’s take a deeper look into them.

Destination/Origin – Your shipment’s pick-up location and delivery location can fluctuate on how your package ships.

Packaging Type – Pallets, crates, boxes, etc., are different packaging options for LTL. If you have more packaging questions, visit here.

Weight and Dimensions – the measurement of LTL shipments weight includes the packaging and the item(s) shipping off. Measure the dimensions of freight using length, width, and height dimensions.

Why Choose FreightCenter for Your LTL Freight Shipping?

There are several reasons why you may choose FreightCenter for your LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) Freight Shipping needs:

Access to Multiple Carriers: FreightCenter partners with many reputable carriers to provide you with various LTL freight shipping options. With access to multiple carriers, you can compare prices, transit times, and other factors to choose the carrier that best suits your needs.
Competitive Rates: FreightCenter negotiates rates with its partner carriers on behalf of its customers. As a result, you can often save money on shipping using FreightCenter’s services.
Easy-to-Use Platform: FreightCenter’s online platform makes getting a quote, comparing prices, and booking your shipment easy. You can track your shipment in real time through the platform.
Dedicated Support: FreightCenter’s customer service team can assist you with any questions or concerns. You can contact them by phone, email, or live chat.
Shipping Expertise: FreightCenter has over 20 years of experience in the shipping industry. Its team of experts can provide you with guidance and advice on the best way to ship your LTL freight.

Overall, FreightCenter can save you time and money on your LTL freight services needs while providing the support and expertise you need to deliver your shipments on time and in good condition. We combine our innovative transportation management system (TMS) LTL technology to streamline and centralize the less-than-truckload shipping process. In addition, our shippers have a dedicated freight account manager who works with them every step to handle even the most unique shipping needs. Get the most out of shipping less-than-load freight by instantly comparing freight rates from top carriers or calling us at 800.716.7608.

FreightCenter’s has expert LTL shipping agents that know the logistics industry inside and out. They can help you find affordable LTL freight shipping rates and the best LTL carriers for your cargo. We can also help you choose the best accessorials or specialized LTL services, if you are in need of any. Partnering with a third-party logistics provider (3P) such as FreightCenter takes the guesswork and stress out of shipping less-than-load freight.

We Make LTL Shipping Easy

LTL shipping is complicated, especially for someone with no logistics experience. There are many variables to consider for each shipment. The lanes, weight and dimensions, packaging, and freight classification affect a load. They influence the services needed and the cost to ship. Since 1998, FreightCenter has provided shippers with logistics driven by superior service, innovation, and technology.

It’s no secret that we’ve become leaders in shipping since then. 90% percent of FreightCenter’s business is in less-than-load shipments. As of 2022, we’ve handled almost 1,000,000 Less-than-truckload freight shipments. Our freight experts continue to book hundreds more each day. We train our freight experts to simplify this process for you. So you can get help making the right logistics decisions for your business.

When you become a FreightCenter customer, an account manager reviews your business. They work to understand your transportation needs in full. Our National Account Managers work hand-in-hand with our Customer Care team. Together, they ensure you receive fast, personalized, and dedicated service. FreightCenter is a non-asset-based third-party logistics (3PL) provider. That means we don’t have our trucks or warehouses.

Instead, we work with freight carriers to offer you complete Less-than-truckload shipping services. FreightCenter negotiates highly competitive rates with the best trucking companies in the nation. That means you get access to discounts you can’t find anywhere else.

FreightCenter Provides Helpful Tools

FreightCenter provides all customers with many helpful tools. Customers have access to 24/7 rates for all shipments and an assigned agent to help with connection to our partner carriers. Our agents can provide you with the best carrier that fits all your shipping needs and requests. Use FreightCenter’s freight shipping quote tool to begin. For other locations, call our international shipping experts at 800-716-7608

Saving money doesn’t have to cost more in the long haul: Let FreightCenter be your “one-stop ship.” Request an LTL shipping quote using our proprietary technology. ‘You get to choose the carrier that provides the price and transit time that meets your needs. With just one section, you’ll instantly receive an extensive list of LTL carriers.

Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) faqs:

What is LTL Freight?

Familiar with Less Truck Load (LTL) shipping? It refers to freight shipment that doesn’t require an entire 48 or 53-ft truck. Hence the term “less than truckload.” At the same time, LTL shipments can range anywhere from 150 to 10,000lbs. While many Freight Shipping Companies need to make smaller, more frequent shipments, are you? If you ship small, LTL is perfect for you!

How does LTL work?

In most cases, Shipping LTL Freight operated in a hub and spoke model. This is where local terminals are the spokes, and larger central terminals are the main distribution centers or freight hubs.

How Does Shipping LTL Save Me Money?

There are many benefits when shipping LTL when it comes to the financial side of it. While shipping LTL allows customers to pay for only the space in the truck that their shipment occupies, LTL shipment rates often go by the density. For instance, if you have many small items transporting, we suggest reducing those items into one freight package, increasing the density. Therefore, lowering your rate.

Occasionally, adjustments to rates occur. This is often due to inaccurate information given to carriers. While booking your shipment, please provide the correct details to avoid this and save money!

What’s the difference between LTL and FTL?

Freight that does not require the entire space of a truck is known as LTL shipping, whereas full truckload and flatbed shipments take up the room or weight limit of a whole trailer.

Should I ship through a parcel carrier or LTL provider?

If you are shipping over 150 pounds, consider LTL. Shipping LTL with a freight service provider means competitive rates and expert advice.

Why Is LTL Freight So Expensive?

Your shipment cost is based on weight, density, classification, etc. Several variables, including fuel price, driver compensation, and maintenance, determine LTL freight costs. Due to a shortage of drivers in the industry, driver pay has increased to attract qualified workers.

Why is LTL Freight Slow?

LTL freight shipping can run slower than total truckload shipping. This is because the truck carries the cargo of several different shippers and therefore has to make numerous drop-offs and trade-offs. LTL shipping can also be ground freight, so the driver can run into many delays, including auto accidents, bad weather, or slow traffic.

Who Is the Best LTL Freight Carrier?

FreightCenter can help you find the best LTL carrier for you. Our network includes more than 50 of the top LTL carriers and consists of national and regional options. We help you get the best shipping rate possible as we have strong partnerships with most preferred carriers.

What Does LTL Freight Mean?

LTL stands for “Less than TruckLoad” or “Less Than Load.” LTL shipping is used for freight that is too large to take to the post office but too small for an entire truck. When shipping LTL freight (150 to 15,000 lbs), you share a truck with other shippers and pay only for the space your cargo occupies.

How Do I Ship LTL Freight?

When shipping Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight (150 to 15,000 lbs), you pay only for the space your cargo occupies. LTL freight shipping can be complicated due to variables such as lanes, weight, dimensions, and classification. LTL can be shipped via standard, expedited, or guaranteed services.

What is LTL vs FTL?

Freight that does not require the entire space of a truck is known as LTL shipping. FTL is when shipments take up the space of a whole truck.

Parcel vs. LTL

If the shipment is more significant than 150 lbs, transporting as LTL is intelligent. While smaller, lighter packages should be shipped through the parcel.

What is interlining LTL Shipping?

Interlining occurs when a carrier cannot complete the full transit in their coverage area and will transport your shipment to a partnering carrier to complete the remaining distances.

When Should I Request Inside Delivery?

Inside delivery is essential when the truck driver needs to go beyond the loading or unloading dock when picking up or offloading your shipment. A pricing adjustment would apply to the original quote if you did not order inside delivery at booking.

When To Use LTL Freight For Shipping?

Less-Than-Load freight shipping saves you money. Freight shipping is the easiest way to move large and bulky items quickly and affordably. You can save money with less-than-truckload shipping when you don’t need a full truckload. Shipping LTL Freight is best for a shipper with freight under 20,000 pounds and when one does not require a full trailer. Consider Less-Than-Load when looking to maximize cost savings

Who Is the Best LTL Freight Carrier?

FreightCenter can help you find the best LTL carrier for your needs. Our network includes more than 50 of the top LTL carriers and consists of national and regional options. We help you get the best shipping rate possible as we have strong partnerships with most preferred carriers.