What is truckload transportation?
Truckload (TL) is a road transportation mode used to move large freight shipments that fill the space or weight limit of standard 48-foot and 53-foot trailers.
Full truckload (FTL) transportation is an over-the-road move for a trailer filled with one cargo shipment or consolidated partial truckload shipments. Full truckload shipments are served by three different trailer equipment types: dry van, flatbed and refrigerated (reefer).
Truckload shipping serves shippers who:
Ship enough freight to fill a trailer
Isolate a large shipment to one trailer
Expedite time-sensitive cargo
Transport freight with high risk of damage
Full truckload shipments usually travel between one origin and destination. This limits time in transit and improves delivery time estimates. Limited stops also reduce freight handling and the potential for cargo damage.
What is a truckload carrier?
A truckload carrier is an individual or ground transportation company that transports full truckload shipments on behalf of shippers. Freight carriers own their own vehicles—small truckload carriers typically own 1 to 5 vehicles, while larger carriers operate fleets of trucks and trailers.
Truckload carriers can serve dedicated freight—consistent shipments in the same lane at the same rate, as contracted between the carrier and a shipper. With contract or dedicated freight, a shipper commits to a certain amount of freight while the carrier commits driver and equipment capacity.
Alternatively, truckload carriers move spot market freight—a transactional, one-time shipment transported at current freight market pricing and spot rates. Full truckload carriers access spot market freight by participating in load boards and digital freight matching platforms.
Truckload vs. less-than-truckload
A full truckload (FTL) shipment fills all or most of a standard trailer. Less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation combines freight shipments from multiple shippers.
LTL shipments range from 150 to 5,000 pounds, between 1 and 6 pallets, and use up to 12 linear feet on a trailer. FTL shipments can range from 24 to 30 or more pallets and are limited by trailer space or weight capacity.
Other differences include:
Pricing
Truckload rates are calculated on a per-mile basis. Pricing depends on established contracts between shippers and carriers or spot market pricing for available trucking capacity. Both contract and spot rates are determined by trucking capacity supply and freight shipment demand. Rates can fluctuate based on origin and destination, shipment weight, truck capacity and location.
Less-than-truckload pricing is regulated by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), which classifies freight based on commodity, density and ease of transport. LTL carriers each have standard rates determined by origin and destination, the NMFC class, the amount of space the shipment occupies and any additional services or accessorial charges.
Routing
Full truckload shipments generally move direct from origin to destination. Restrictions are limited to trailer capacity and the driver's hours of service (HOS). A truckload shipment can travel 400 to 500 miles per day.
LTL shipments share a trailer with multiple shipments and operate using a hub-and-spoke model. Shipments are consolidated at carrier terminals with shipments bound for similar destinations. LTL trailer loads make multiple stops, limiting daily driving distance to approximately 300 miles.
Benefits of truckload shipping
Faster transit times
Truckload freight moves faster than LTL shipments. A truckload shipment is picked up and delivered by the same truck, with no extra stops between pickup and delivery.
Less chance of damage
One freight shipment in one trailer means less chance of cargo damage. Truckload shipments are handled less than an LTL move, which further reduces damage risk.
Rates
Full truckload rates are determined in real time based on freight shipping demand and available trucking capacity. Carriers or brokers may be willing to negotiate rates based on their own business priorities. LTL rates are fixed by LTL carriers based on classification, origin and destination, weight and space utilized—LTL rates are not negotiable.
What is the maximum weight for a truckload?
Federal truckload weight limits are 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, 20,000 pounds on a single axle and 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle group.
The maximum weight also depends on the trailer equipment type:
Dry van: 44,000 to 45,000 pounds
Flatbed: up to 48,000 pounds
Reefer: 42,500 to 44,000 pounds
Tandem trailers provide additional axles and weight capacity to facilitate larger individual shipments.
Fill your truckload faster
How technology supports truckload shipping
A transportation management system (TMS) supports full truckload transportation for shippers, freight brokers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and carriers.
For shippers, a TMS provides:
Procure, plan, optimize, execute and settle full truckload shipments in a single platform
Access to spot market capacity through digital freight matching
Control tower visibility and analysis-based decision support for best service and best cost options
For freight brokers and 3PLs, a TMS enables:
Matching customer loads to equipment posted on public boards
Access to validated carrier data to match client requirements
Managing carrier and rate data in one system to secure optimal rates for clients
For truckload carriers, a TMS supports:
Managing driver data and safety records while ensuring regulatory compliance of drivers and equipment
Maximizing asset utilization and reducing unnecessary miles
Simplifying planning and execution within a single management system
Knowing the status of every driver and truck to meet customer demands
Integrated claims management tools allow shippers, brokers, 3PLs and carriers to manage any type of claim with centralized data and process automation.