There are a number of various options when it comes to shipping. Although, it is true that narrowing the field down to just one is a bit confusing. Many different factors should be considered, and some would include the type of shipment, price, the size of the shipment, as well as the speed at which the shipment must be done and delivered.
That being said, it is important to know the differences between LLT and FTL shipping. Thankfully, this article will discuss just that. Hopefully, you will find your answer and decide which method is better for you.
LTL
LTL shipping would stand for "less than truckload". That would mean that the shipment does not take up an entire truck. Typically, these types of shipments would usually weigh around 100 to 10 thousand pounds. LTL shipment also means that you will only have to pay for the space in the truck that you actually need.
As an example, in case your shipment will only fill up one-third of the space on the truck, you will have to pay only for that one-third of the space. The rest of the vehicle will then be packed with other small shipments from other businesses. That being said, LTL shipping is an excellent choice for small businesses that do not ship in huge quantities and are searching for something that is more friendly on the budget. So, those who start a trucking company will certainly benefit from small businesses like these. Although, just like anything else, LTL shipments are not perfect. Shipments can more than often take a bit longer to reach their destinations. The reason being since there are many different packages onboard which can create frequent stops.
So have in mind that If time is of the essence, FTL shipping is the choice to take.
FTL
FTL shipping would stand for "full truckload". The explanation behind it is that the shipment will need an entire truck. FTL shipments are usually used when there are ten or in some cases more palettes that need to be shipped. Generally, it is pretty easy to know when your shipment needs to be shipped this way.
Although, sometimes not so big shipments can also benefit from FTL. In case that your shipment is made out of high-risk merchandise, FTL is the better option since shipments will stay on the same truck the entire time.
Things to Consider
The pros and cons of FTL and LTL shipping would actually depend on your business needs. To be precise, of the particulars of your freight.
When determining which shipping method will be best for you, here are a few basic things you need to consider:
- Cost
- Fragility
- Speed
- Weight
All businesses that need the service of the carrier have many options at their disposal These two popular methods are valid options and should be taken into consideration. Before you use LTL or FTL shipping make sure you are aware of both and which has what to offer. Hopefully, this article will give you the basic knowledge to start, the rest is up to you.
