How to Determine if Your Business Requires FTL or LTL Transport

Transportation is a major part of third party logistics, and it is often divided into two types: LTL and FTL. LTL stands for “less than truck load” or “less than trailer load,” and FTL stands for “full truck load” or “full trailer load.” So, how do you know which one your business needs? Take a look at these tips for making a decision:    

LTL Overview 

LTL shipping is a great choice for people who ship small orders. Your order may only take up a small corner of a truck, so the third party logistics company you choose will add other LTL orders to make the trip cost-effective. For this reason, shipping may cost less on your end because you are not paying for the entire trip, but it does have some drawbacks. For example, your order is probably not going to the same destination as the other orders on the truck, so it may take longer for it to arrive as the others are delivered. Also, your order may be handled more as the truck driver and other employees move it around to search for other orders. FTL shipping

How to Determine if You Need LTL Transport

  • Your load weighs more than 100 pounds but less than 10,000 pounds
  • You only ship one order at a time
  • You have a smaller budget
  • Your shipment is not time-sensitive

FTL Overview 

When you choose FTL shipment, you pay for the cost of the shipment by yourself, as your order takes up the entire truck. The best part about it is that you do not have worry about time, as everything in your order is usually going to one destination, and you do not have to worry about it being handled too much, because it will be loaded and unloaded only.  

How to Determine if You Need FTL Transport 

Your load weighs over 10,000 pounds 

You usually ship items in bulk 

You need items shipped quickly 

Your shipment needs to be handled as little as possible 

If you are in the Atlanta area and need LTL or FTL transportation for your business, contact Bonded Service at 404-349-1466. With more than 80 years in the business, we can help you get your order to your destination anywhere in the Southeast and beyond. 

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