What Is Less-Than-Truckload and When to Use It?

What is Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)?

Less-Than-Truckload, also known as LTL, is a freight service designed for goods that don't need a full truck. Instead of booking an exclusive unit, your freight shares space in the truck with other customers' freight, letting you pay only for the space you actually use, while keeping the same security, control, and tracking at all times.

This type of service is especially useful when you need to move freight fairly often, but don't always generate enough volume to justify a full truck to a single destination.

When is it worth using Less-Than-Truckload instead of a full truckload?

Choosing between Less-Than-Truckload and a full truckload mainly depends on your shipping volume and dispatch frequency. Less-Than-Truckload is useful in the following scenarios:

• When you're looking to cut costs. You don't pay for an empty unit; you only pay for the exact space your freight takes up, whether measured in pallets or linear feet.
• When delivery time isn't a priority. Because it's a consolidated service, the freight may make additional stops before reaching its destination. If you're looking to optimize costs and have more flexibility with delivery times, LTL is an excellent option.
• When you distribute to multiple destinations. You can collect a large volume of freight at a single origin point and, through LTL, deliver it individually to different destinations or customers, optimizing your distribution logistics in a single trip.
• When you ship often but in variable volumes. It's the ideal option if your business needs to ship freight constantly, but doesn't always fill a full truck for a single destination.
• When you want to optimize your inventory. It lets you ship as you produce or sell, without needing to accumulate stock in the warehouse while waiting to fill a truck.

What packaging should you use for Less-Than-Truckload shipments?

To ensure your freight's safety while it shares space with other loads, there are different types of packaging depending on what you're shipping:

• Pallet: the standard and most recommended packaging for regularly shaped items or stacked boxes; it allows for quick, safe handling with forklifts.
• Crate (wooden box): ideal for irregularly shaped items, heavy machinery, or fragile products that need additional rigid protection.
• Palletless / oversized freight: applies to large-sized goods that, due to their nature or dimensions, can't be placed on a standard pallet, but that are designed to be transported and stacked safely.

Ensuring proper packaging is the shipper's responsibility, since the freight will travel sharing space with other loads throughout the trip.

What type of freight can be shipped via Less-Than-Truckload?

LTL accommodates a wide variety of commercial and industrial products, including:

• Commercial and retail freight: boxes with finished product, palletized goods, and consumer items.
• Industrial sector: spare parts, industrial equipment, tools, and light machinery.
• Large-volume items: appliances, electronics, or oversized goods.

There are some restrictions based on dimensions, weight, or product characteristics, and for safety reasons, hazardous materials, flammable liquids, weapons, perishables without refrigeration, and illegal items are not accepted.

What information do you need to get an Less-Than-Truckload quote?

To get an accurate cost with no surprises, you'll need to have on hand:

• Exact origin and destination zip codes.
• Total number of pieces, boxes, or pallets.
• Total weight and dimensions of each already-packed pallet or bundle.
• A general description of the freight to be transported.
• Any additional services you may need, such as a ramp or loading/unloading assistance.

With this information, you can review rates and delivery times from different carriers in seconds, instead of requesting quotes separately from each one.

Conclusion

Less-Than-Truckload is an alternative worth considering whenever your shipping volume doesn't justify a full truckload, whether you're shipping within the US or handling import and export operations with Mexico. Beyond cutting costs, it gives you the flexibility to distribute to multiple destinations and optimize your inventory without compromising your freight's safety.

If you'd like to get a quote for your next Less-Than-Truckload shipment and see the rates available for your route, you can sign up today on Envia.com and get an instant quote.