The main difference between FTL (full truckload) and LTL (less-than-truckload) is that FTL uses the entire trailer for one customer’s goods or materials. With LTL, multiple customers share portions of the trailer. As you might expect, FTL clients pay for the entire shipment. By contrast, LTL shippers pay only for the space their freight occupies. At first blush, the difference seems pretty straightforward. But when you weigh these two models, you’ll find several nuances and details to consider.
FTL Model
Securing an entire trailer remains the most common approach to shipping goods and materials. The FTL model offers customers substantial tractor-trailer diversity, which is why it accounts for about 75% of the overall freight transportation market. FTL options typically include:
- Dry Van Shipping: Trailer lengths range from 28 to 53 feet, with door clearances of about 110 inches. Shippers can onboard anywhere from 24 to 26 unstacked pallets, depending on dimensions.
- Refrigerated Shipping (Reefers): These climate-controlled boxes also range between 28 and 53 feet. Reefers can also carry up to 26 unstacked pallets.
- Flatbed Shipping: Flatbed trailers run between 40 and 53 feet long and can also transport upwards of 26 unstacked pallets. The key difference between flatbed trailers and others is that they can carry tall and bulky items.
The FTL model of transportation typically involves a single pickup and delivery point. Fewer stops mean less physical interaction with the cargo. Straight-shot freight transport also helps haulers expedite shipments.
Benefits
- Faster transport times
- Minimal risk of damage
- Improved cargo security
- Cost-effective
- Straightforward paperwork
- Safer for fragile items
Good For…
- Large volume loads that require 26 unstacked or up to 52 stacked pallets
- High-value items
- Time-sensitive deliveries
- Perishable goods, such as produce and dairy
- Fragile items that require less handling
LTL Shipping Model
The LTL model assigns only a portion of the trailer space and cost to the customer. LTL makes up only about 6% of the freight transportation sector, largely because logistics companies have to cobble together enough freight from customers to make a run cost-effective.
Benefits
- Avoid paying for unused trailer space
- Share the cost with other shippers
- Pay only for the space you use
- Allows for smaller inventory shipments
- Far less expensive than using parcel services
- Budget-friendly option for small and upstart businesses
Good For…
- Small and mid-sized suppliers
- Single, bulky items, such as appliances
- Small items wrapped on pallets
- Businesses on a tight shipping budget
Which One Do You Need?
How Much Are You Shipping?
Given that a dry van, reefer, or flatbed provides up to 53 feet of trailer, consider whether your shipment will use the space. If the shipment falls significantly short, weigh FTL against the pros, cons, and cost of LTL. Customers who almost automatically look for an LTL opportunity move loads of about 6 pallets or fewer.
In many cases, an LTL shipment uses only about 12 linear feet. Because LTL shipments may include single heavy items such as machinery or metal parts, weight may also be a factor. If the item pushes the weight limit, it may require FTL transport.
What Are You Shipping?
In some cases, items that seem like good candidates for LTL are better suited to FTL shipping. For example, 6 pallets of fine dishware may seem like a natural fit for LTL, but LTL shipping involves multiple stops and cargo handling. Unless the dishware is the last cargo on and first off, LTL increases the likelihood of potential damage. The point is that cost needs to be weighed against special handling realities.
Is the Delivery Window Tight?
An FTL run is often a non-stop option that minimizes delivery times. An LTL is just the opposite. Because it serves multiple shippers, LTL transport makes stops along a designated route. If you are not in a rush, LTL makes sense. But if a shipment is urgent or time-sensitive, FTL is usually the right choice.
How Often Do You Need Items Shipped?
Small loads that are transported on a regular schedule may allow shippers to gain a place on a monthly or weekly designated LTL route. To some degree, the same applies to companies that require regular, ongoing FTL transportation.
Get Rates & Guidance From North American Specialized
North American Specialized offers FTL and LTL freight hauling on standard trailers, reefers, flatbeds, and Conestoga transportation for cargo requiring additional weather protection. Our USMCA compliance allows us to provide seamless freight hauling from the United States to Mexico and Canada, with door-to-door delivery options.
Visit our website to learn more about our capabilities, or contact us today to get rates.
