Freight shipping, for many businesses, is an organizational headache that rivals the nuances of particle physics. For others, it’s a nagging financial nightmare that never ends. But, no matter who you ask, freight shipping is important—and above all else, it’s an unavoidable necessity. But this begs the question: if freight shipping is so important, why is it so complicated? And further still, almost everyone wonders if they should choose full truckload (FTL) or less than truckload (LTL) shipping. At Unlimited Cargo, we believe shipping your freight doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few things to consider in order to get the most out of your freight shipping so you can spend more time running other areas of your business.

 

Consider What Shipping Method Is Right for Your Business Needs

 

This might seem obvious, but the truth is that selecting the appropriate shipping method is actually a little more intricate than most people think—and knowing those intricacies can make a big difference on your bottom line. That said, it’s not exactly complicated either so taking a moment to understand at least some of the benefits of both FTL and LTL can make a considerable difference.

 

FTL Freight Shipping:

 

 

FTL shipping, while usually more expensive than LTL, is ideal for businesses that have a lot of product to move (up to 40,000 pounds on a single dry van). But despite the cost, it does have its perks, including:

Speed

Because full truckload shipments never switch between trucks, FTL is often faster than LTL. If you have time-sensitive shipments that need to go out, then it’s worth considering FTL freight shipping for this benefit alone.

Security

A single truck doesn’t just mean faster delivery times: it means added security as well. Think about it: if you’re shipping via a single truck that means your shipment isn’t exchanging hands or vehicles. In other words, there’s less opportunity to damage goods between Point-A and Point-B. In fact, it’s practically non-existent. Not to mention, assuming your FTL shipment is completely full, it will be pretty difficult for anything to move around in the back of a truck. With FTL shipping you can rest assured that your shipment will be protected from handling damages (both on and off the truck), damages from other freight within the truck, and theft.

 

LTL Freight Shipping:

 

 

Great for small and large businesses alike, LTL freight shipping is generally used for smaller shipments. There are a number of ways you can get LTL shipping to work for you in order to stretch your shipping dollar (even for large shipments). However, it’s just as important to understand where your money is going as it is to understand where your shipment is headed. A few benefits of LTL freight shipping include:

Lower Costs

LTL is cheaper in the same way that carpooling is cheaper. LTL freight shipping is generally more cost-effective than FTL because you’re only paying for a small portion of a trailer or truck. This means, unlike FTL, you aren’t paying for space you aren’t using. When you “pool” with other businesses, each shares a fraction of the total cost. In the end, everyone is “pooling” together to save money. This provides businesses with a lot of creative flexibility, especially when they have to ship to multiple parts of the country. Plus, when you consider many of the additional services you get, including the ability to ship non-commercially, it’s difficult to argue against how cost-effective LTL shipping is.

Environmentally Friendly

LTL freight shipping is also environmentally-friendly—and that’s great! Think about it: FTL shipments tend to have plenty of cargo space left in the trailer. Many FTL vehicles on the road aren’t always full. This is wasted space. That means more trips, more greenhouse gas emissions, and a larger carbon footprint. If you’re looking to “go green” LTL just might be for you.