Full-truckload (FTL) transportation refers to the movement of large quantities of goods on a single truck. In sharp contrast to this, less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation involves smaller shipments that are consolidated with other consignments on the very same truck. So, which one is right for your business? Keep reading to find out! As a full-service transportation company in Delta, at Welkin Transport, we provide both since our inception and you may contact us for any queries or further information on our services and pricing!
FTL shipping is the transportation of large quantities of goods or materials in a single truck. This type of transportation is typically used for materials that are too large to be sent through LTL shipping (more on this later!). FTL shipping is an increasingly efficient option for large shipments because it eliminates the need to consolidate multiple shipments from different shippers into one truck. This can save time as well as money along with reducing the odds of damage to your goods during transit due to friction with other consignments kept in the vicinity.
On the contrary, LTL shipping refers to the transportation of smaller loads that do not consume the space of an entire truck. This is in contrast to the aforementioned FTL transportation, where shipments are large enough to fill an entire truck. Note that LTL shipments tend to collectively weigh less than ten thousand pounds.
There are myriad advantages of using LTL transportation. To begin with, LTL shipments will cost you less than LTL shipments will for the sole reason that you are not reserving an entire truck to transport your goods, and this is why the majority of small businesses often prefer the former over the latter, so to speak. Furthermore, LTL shipments are often more flexible than FTL shipments, as the former kind can be scheduled for pick-up and delivery more quickly.
Finally, LTL shipments usually require less paperwork than FTL shipments do, as the former kind is typically smaller in size and costs less when compared to the latter type. To suffice, LTL shipping solutions are more commonly available across Canada and worldwide than FTL shipping solutions are.
How to Choose an FTL/LTL Transportation Company in Delta
There are a plethora of things that you must keep in mind when searching for the right transportation company in Delta to transport your FTL or LTL shipment. Let us briefly discuss each of them in the next few minutes.
What is the market reputation of the carrier? You can check out the online reviews to obtain an idea of what others are saying about their experience with your potential carrier.
What is the pricing policy of the towing company? Make sure to collect an upfront quote in writing so that you know beforehand precisely how much the shipment will cost.
What is the average transit time of the carrier? This is important to consider if your shipment is time-critical.
What are the terms and conditions of the towing company? You should ensure that you understand its policies on things like the carrier’s liability to the shippers and damage claims before you start shipping your goods.
To summarize, FTL and LTL are two of the most popular solutions for shipping goods. The former variant is best suited for large shipments that fill an entire truck, whilst the latter one is ideal for smaller shipments that do not require a full truck. Since not every transportation company in Delta provides both, make sure to assess your short- as well as long-term objectives and use discretion when finalizing one.
