Partial Truckload Shipping

In volume LTL shipping, carriers consolidate multiple shipments from different customers into a single truck. Unlike standard LTL shipping, individual shipments will take up a significant portion of the truck but will not be large enough to fill it entirely.

Pricing is usually more flexible as shippers only pay for the space they use rather than the whole truck. This offers considerable savings over standard LTL shipping and some carriers may offer discounts over regular LTL shipments because the shipments are larger. Carriers quote volume LTL rates based on the space (in feet) that your shipment occupies, the weight, and the distance it travels.

Volume LTL is arranged similarly to traditional LTL, with routes being optimized by combining shipments going in the same direction. However, it may receive different handling and delivery times due to the larger shipment size.

Freight classes in Volume LTL are determined by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system, which categorizes shipments based on several factors, including:

• Density: Measured as weight per cubic foot. Lower-density items take up more space, so they are often classified higher.
• Stowability: How easy the freight is to load and transport alongside other freight. Odd shapes or items that can’t be stacked are assigned a higher class.
• Handling: Freight that requires special handling, is fragile, or requires more care is assigned a higher class.
• Liability: Freight that’s valuable, prone to damage, or dangerous typically falls into a higher class because it carries more risk.
• Impact on cost: Higher freight classes (closer to 500) usually result in higher shipping costs because the freight is harder to transport.

These classes, ranging from 50 to 500, help carriers determine pricing and shipping requirements. Higher classes generally indicate lighter or more fragile goods, which may cost more to ship.

Freight class still plays a role in Volume LTL, but because larger shipments are involved, the pricing may also depend more heavily on the amount of space the shipment occupies in the truck rather than strictly on the freight class.

Volume LTL shipments typically range from 6 to 12 pallets, weigh between 5,000 and 15,000 pounds, and require more than 12 linear feet of trailer space but not a full truckload.

This makes volume LTL ideal for businesses with medium-sized shipping needs. The size of volume LTL shipments allows carriers to efficiently fill available space in their trucks by combining multiple shipments, optimizing transportation efficiency, and helping shippers avoid the higher costs of full truckload (FTL) shipping.

The primary benefits of volume LTL shipping include cost savings and flexibility. Shippers pay only for the space their freight occupies rather than for an entire truck, which makes it more cost-effective than full truckload shipping.

Volume LTL also offers flexibility in terms of scheduling and routing as carriers consolidate shipments from different customers.

It can often provide faster transit times compared to traditional LTL shipping, as carriers often prioritize larger loads.

Partial truckload shipping is a middle-ground option when freight exceeds LTL but doesn’t need a full truckload. Partial truckload shipments are made up of multiple larger freight loads from different shippers on the same truck, usually range from 6 to 18 pallets and weigh between 8,000 and 27,000 pounds.

Unlike LTL, partial truckload shipments often don’t require freight class designations, which can simplify the pricing and logistics process. And partial truckload shipments take advantage of full truckload carriers and their equipment.

Partial truckload shipping works by allowing shippers to book a portion of a truck rather than the entire truck. The carrier consolidates shipments from multiple businesses going in the same direction, efficiently utilizing the truck’s space.

Unlike LTL, partial truckload shipments don’t require a hub-and-spoke system. This can reduce handling and lead to faster transit times. Pricing is based on the space the shipment occupies and the distance it needs to travel.

Partial truckload shipments typically range between 6 and 18 pallets and weigh between 8,000 and 27,000 pounds. They occupy anywhere from 12 to 28 feet of trailer space, depending on the size and configuration of the shipment.

Partial truckloads are used for shipments that exceed the size and weight limits of LTL shipping but don’t require the full capacity of a truck. This option is beneficial as it allows shippers to send out low-density shipments that don’t need a lot of space, but will benefit from not being tightly packed into a trailer.

The main benefit of partial truckload shipping is that it offers a cheaper alternative to paying for a full truckload. It gives shippers the chance to send out large, bulky shipments that do not require a full truck. Partial truckload shipping also does not require a freight class, which helps bring down costs even more.

Partial truckload shipments require less stops along the way, reducing handling and risk of damage. This also means shipments can arrive faster than other shipping methods.