what is the difference between ltl and ftl

LTL and FTL stand for “Less than Trailer Load” and “Full Trailer Load” which coincides with the ocean transport SSL vessel terminology as LCL and FCL that represent “Less than Container Load” and “Full Container Load” respectively. When ordering transportation for your LTL or LCL shipments you are purchasing a shared space in the trailer or container to be loaded with other shipments. In certain situations the shipper may only have goods enough to fill a portion of the trailer or container but may request to hire a dedicated truck that will only haul the freight you provide without other 3rd party goods on the same route. Ordering a full truckload would mean exactly that, you would own the entire space of the route and attempt to utilize the offered square footage capacity to its fullest to benefit from the size of the trailer provided.

The cost of transport from either option typically goes in line with the carrier attempting to have the lane paid for in full to cover the traveling expenses and overhead fees to operate a tractor trailer and provide income. All sorts of industry rely on FTL and LTL transport to move their goods and continue operations. More complex shipments such as LTL refrigerated transport can be difficult due to varying demands of temperature control for certain products and spoilage deadlines that could prioritize deliveries and delay others. Refrigerated transportation is normally FTL to avoid unforeseen delays even if the order does not use the entire trailer, dedicated service is the way to go most of the time to protect goods and hire expedited delivery. Whether its moving construction equipment, fitness equipment, amusements, furniture, pallets, household goods, etc, the industry needs various forms of trailer transport in order to fulfill logistic demands.