If you are starting a business and you need to move products from A to B, you may have already come across the terms full truckload and less than truckload shipping. These are your two main options when it comes to shipping, but what is the difference and how do you know which one is right for you? 

This page will give you the rundown of each type of shipping and the pros and cons of each, so you can make the most efficient, cost-effective decision for your business. 

What Is The Difference Between Full Truckload Shipping And Less Than Truckload Shipping?

Finding an efficient delivery system for your business is vital, so you need to understand the differences between full truckload and less than truckload shipping. 

Full Truckload (FTL) shipping refers to the shipping of any item or collection of items that requires all of the space in the truck. You might have one big item or you might have hundreds of small ones but either way, the truck will only be transporting your goods and nobody else’s. 

You’ve probably already worked out that less than truckload (LTL) shipping refers to the shipping of an item or collection of items that doesn’t take up all of the space in a truck. The rest of the space is free to be used by other businesses and the truck will make multiple stops along the way. 

Why Use FTL Shipping?

There are a few reasons why people use truckload shipping aside from the obvious space issue. Sometimes, the customer would prefer that their item is shipped in a truck on its own for whatever reason. When transporting heavy items, it may be more cost-effective to use truckload shipping too. 

There are a few key benefits to FTL shipping that you should consider. Firstly, it’s a lot quicker and when you use a reliable FTL freight shipping service, the delivery estimates will be very accurate because the driver is only making a single stop. There is also less potential for items to get damaged because they are only being handled at the beginning and end of the journey. 

The biggest downside of FTL shipping is that it can be more expensive than LTL shipping because you are paying for the whole truck, but the benefits usually make it worth it. 

Why Use LTL Shipping?

In some cases, LTL shipping is the best option because there is no sense paying for a whole truck for a few small items. You can save money by going with an LTL service instead. However, you need to weigh up the potential downsides before deciding. Broken items lead to upset customers, so if you are sending anything particularly fragile, it may be best to use FTL shipping instead. Late delivery is also one of the biggest mistakes that ecommerce businesses make and this is more likely with LTL deliveries. The driver is making multiple stops and taking a less direct route, so there is more potential for hold-ups and it’s harder for them to give accurate estimates about arrival times. 

In some cases, LTL shipping is a good way to save money, but it’s usually best to use an FTL shipping service.  

• DISCLOSURE – This post has been written by an outside source