LTL Trucking Basics

Find out how LTL carriers can give you a shipping edge

LTL carriers are those that are hauling for you "less than a truckload," or less than the full trailer being hauled behind a semi or other vehicle rig. Many carriers offer both LTL and full truck load services, but often times, your shipment will not require an entire truckload of space. So what you pay goes into your portion of the space used split by a number of people also utilizing that space to ship their package or packages.

LTL carriers come in all shapes in sizes. They can vary and include covered or enclosed trailers and on occasion refrigerated LTL carriers. Rates are generally determined by weight, class, pick up and destination zip codes (“lane”). Additional services such as signature required, protect from freeze and more can also be added to the total.

To make the most of LTL trucking basics:

1. Begin with LTL definitions and general information.

2. Look at rate calculation information.

3. Check out LTL trucking equipment for those looking to break into the industry.

 

Start with simple LTL trucking information

Look at LTL transport basics such as term definitions, freight sizes and locations across the country. Find out what carriers are available near you and what services they offer.
Try: Discover LTL basics from Access America Transport. Look at definitions, rates, equipment and more. dnaFreight shares that LTL loads can vary from 100 lbs. to 20,000 lbs.

Find out how LTL trucking companies figure their rates

Examine how LTL freight rates are considered. Decide how those rates and how they are figured impact what you are trying to ship.
Try: Consider how pricing figures are equated through businesses such as SMC³. Think about auditing your current LTL transportation costs through companies such as Data Trak Technologies.

Check out LTL trucking equipment

For those tapping into the LTL freight industry, take a look at the vehicles available and what the purchasing and/or financing options are.
Try: See how Con-way Freight chooses it's equipment for its LTL freight carriers. Look at less than truckload vehicle leasing alternatives from companies such as LTL International.

 

• Ask about volume pricing on select LTL lanes. Some areas of the country are more frequently traveled than others and offer more frequent and regular trips by carriers. Having your shipment on these truckloads helps saves costs because they are being carried with other shipments that are going in that direction anyway. This can help you save money by giving you part of a volume discount with all of the other people that your shipment is sharing space with on the vehicle.
• Don't forget that fuel surcharges are added on top of line haul costs. These are based on the national average of diesel fuel and are figured on a weekly basis.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---