LTL, which stands for "less-than-truckload," is employed when a shipment is insufficient to occupy an entire truck, while FTL, short for "full truckload," is utilized when a shipment fills up a truck completely. When it comes to comparing truckload versus less-than-truckload, there are several factors to contemplate beyond the terminology.

A large portion of problems occurring in less-than-truckload freight shipping are often blamed on the transportation company selected. Recurring situations involving lost cargo, harmed commodities, persistent postponements, unforeseen fees, unclear or ambiguous paperwork or subpar customer support constitute major difficulties.

On the contrary, full truckload shipments are typically composed of no less than 12 pallets and up to 30 pallets - 26 pallets being the most prevalent amount. Shipments can also be categorized according to mass. Less than truckload shipments usually weigh between 100 and 10,000 pounds, whereas full truckload shipments frequently amount to over 10,000 pounds, possibly up to 20,000 pounds or beyond.

LTL shipping is utilized when freight does not occupy the entire capacity of a truck. As a rule of thumb, LTL transportation is suitable for loads weighing over 150 pounds but under 15,000 pounds, comprising no more than 10 pallets and measuring 12 linear feet or less.

A shipment going faster than light is limited to 80,000 pounds in weight unless exceptional authorization is granted. If your goods are especially heavy for their volume, you may have unused capacity in the cargo area, but the weight restriction still applies. The typical 53-foot shipping container can hold between 42,000 to 45,000 pounds of freight.