LTL

Ltl                   

Less than truckload shipping or less than load LTL is the transportation of relatively small freight.

Acronym	Definition
LTL	Low Traffic Load
LTL	Local Transmission Line
LTL	Lighter than Truckload
LTL	Let's Talk Later

There are several different perspectives as to what is actually considered LTL. Full Truck Load carriers can put anywhere from 2 to 6 different people's shipments on a trailer and since each shipment is technically less than a truckload they would consider that to be LTL. He main advantage to using an LTL carrier is that a shipment may be transported for a fraction of the cost of hiring an entire truck and trailer for an exclusive shipment. Also a number of accessory services are available from LTL carriers which are not typically offered by FTL carriers. Shippers with enough volume of LTL freight may choose to use a full truckload carrier to move the freight directly to a break-bulk facility of an LTL carrier. Both LTL carriers and XL parcel carriers are similar in the fact that they both use a network of hubs and terminals to deliver freight. Delivery times by both types of service providers are not directly dependent upon the distance between shipper and consignee. LTL freight usually takes up less than 12 linear feet of the trailer, and since the typical pallet measures 40” x 48”, 6 pallets arranged side-by-side would take up exactly 12' of linear space on each side of the trailer. Truckload: A full truckload shipment can range from 24 to 30 pallets and up. LTL Less Than Truckload LTL shipping stands for less than truckload, meaning that the shipment will not take up an entire truck. Example if your shipment only takes up one third of the space on the truck you only pay for one-third of the truck. Where the freight will be further sorted and consolidated for additional transporting also known as line hauling. In most cases the end of line terminals employ local drivers who start the day by loading up their trailers and heading out to make deliveries first. When the trailer is empty, they begin making pickups and return to the terminal for sorting and delivery next day. Because of the efficiency of this order of operations, most deliveries are performed in the morning and pickups are made in the afternoon.