Our Blog

When smaller operations are looking into reducing their shipping costs, they often feel pressured to embrace less-than-load (LTL) shipping methods, with claims of huge cost savings. However, this isn’t always the case.  In some cases, simply going with full truck load freight shipping is going to be the best option.

This does require the shipper have enough volume to reliably fill a full truck. However, if that’s the case, keeping shipping simple may be the better choice.

Four Reasons to Consider Full Truck Load Freight Shipping

1 – Rates are more negotiable

Generally speaking, when you partner with an LTL carrier, they’re charging a fixed rate with very little flexibility.  On the other hand, when you hire direct truck shipments, you have more room to haggle. Full truck load shipping is priced simply based on what the market can handle, and carriers may be willing to make some deals if they’re looking for more work.  For example, you could get a good deal on backhaul, since carriers want to avoid ‘deadheading’ whenever possible.

2 – Simplified logistics and scheduling

Dealing with LTL systems can be complicated, especially if your shipment has to be moved between multiple trucks or modes of transport.  This makes tracking your shipment more difficult as well. With full truck load shipping, you typically just put the shipment on one truck, and that’s that.  There’s often much less hassle.

3 – Time savings

Another potential issue with LTL carriers that isn’t always discussed is the matter of time.  Your load may be sitting in their warehouse, waiting for another load to show up. Changes between trucks or modes will also add time to the shipment. Typically, LTL transportation will add a day or two, compared to full truck loads, and that delay may be detrimental to your customers.

4 – Fewer risks

Finally, there are simply fewer risks when doing full truck load freight shipments. Every time your goods change hands, there’s a chance of damage.  You also have no real control over how your shipments are packed into the truck. In rare cases, if the LTL shipper has substandard insurance, there could even be lengthy legal disputes over who is at fault if one set of goods appears to have damaged another.

A&Z Trucking is one of America’s top 3PL providers of shipment services, including both LTL and full truck load freight shipping. Contact us to discuss your options for optimizing shipments!