The New World of Freight.....

​

TranMazon is looking to train, work and partner with the right candidates for our Freight Broker Agency Owner Program. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

​

We provide Freight Services for Amazon, the Department of Defense (DOD), and Other Government Operations. If you are looking for the best in industry services, please contact us today.

 

The terms less-than-truckload (LTL) and full-truckload (FTL) get thrown around often within the shipping and logistics community. However, newcomers may find themselves at a loss for what these terms actually mean. To clear this up, we are breaking down each term individually before directly comparing them so that you can choose the best shipping modes for your freight. Understanding the difference will help you make better freight choices.

​

Freight Shipping Overview

First and foremost, it’s important to know what freight shipping actually is. The term freight shipping refers to the paid process of shipping goods by ground, sea, or air. Freight is typically composed of goods transported to another location in bulk. Two subcategories that fall under the umbrella of freight shipping are less than truckload (LTL) shipments and full truckload (FTL) shipments.

​

Less Than Truckload (LTL) Shipping

Less than truckload freight shipments, commonly abbreviated as LTL, are shipments that exceed the size limit required to be able to ship as a single package through the mail (a parcel shipment). Despite being too large for a parcel carrier, less than truckload shipments are too small to fill an entire semi-truck trailer, leaving lots of wasted space and contributing to “empty miles.” In order for shipping to be mutually beneficial between the shippers and trucking companies, carriers often ship multiple LTL shipments together to make the trip economically sensible. This way, trailers aren’t traversing our highways carrying only air.

​

Full Truckload (FTL or TL) Shipping

Conversely, full truckload shipments (abbreviated FTL or TL) are large enough to fill up an entire semi-truck trailer. Unlike LTL shipments, which might ride alongside other shipments, FTL freight is contracted to one carrier and rides alone, meaning extra stops don’t need to be along the way. This reduces the number of “touches” and reduces the likelihood of damage. When there is enough freight to qualify for a full truckload rate, this is usually the most economical choice.

​

Which Should I Choose, LTL or FTL?

LTL and FTL shipping are both beneficial types of freight shipping. LTL shipping is often the best choice for smaller shipments that are too big to be shipped in a parcel. FTL is less expensive for larger shipments that can fill or almost fill an entire truck completely. Both are acceptable options when thinking about how to ship your freight, but each has specific scenarios in which they are most beneficial to the shipper.

​

It is always a good idea to compare the freight rates of multiple LTL or FTL carriers to choose the carrier with the best rate and service level for your shipment.

​

Why Should You Compare Your Freight Rates?

Comparing rates is the best method to avoid overpaying. Whether shipping LTL or FTL, different carriers will offer different freight rates and service levels and it’s important to shop around. Looking into what’s available often makes way for the discovery of less expensive rates or particular lanes that have the ability to speed up delivery. Prices constantly fluctuate, and what initially seems like the better option may not be best in the end.

​

How Can TranMazon Transportation Management System (TMS) Help?

Leveraging technology is the easiest way to ensure that you are shipping your freight most efficiently. By utilizing a transportation management system like TranMazon TMS, shippers can compare all of their negotiated and spot rates within a single platform. With the ability to compare rates instantly, shippers have the power to book confidently and quickly.

​