Truckload shipping
Truckload shipping is the movement of large amounts of homogeneous cargo, generally the amount necessary to fill an entire semi-trailer or intermodal container. A truckload carrier is a trucking company that generally contracts an entire trailer-load to a single customer. This is as opposed to a less-than truckload (LTL) company that generally mixes freight from several customers in each trailer. One advantage Full Truckload (FTL) carriers have over Less than Truckload carriers is that the freight is never handled en route, whereas an LTL shipment will typically be transported on several different trailers.
Responsibilities
Truckload is used for larger shipments of freights. If the number of items is large, a 48’ or 53’ capacity trailer will not be enough for shipping products. In such a case, truckload shipping is the best method to reduce cost, transporting goods quicker and reduce the chance of damage. The shipment will be cost effective if it is large enough to require the use of the space of the trailer. Truckload shipping will also be beneficial than booking multiple LTL (less than truckload) shipments.
There are mainly three types of truckload shipment. They are Dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated. During the time of filling the entire trailer, full truckload should be selected. This is ideal for large shipments. Compared to LTL, selecting full truckload will be cost effective when the weight is high. Full truckload freight is very fast because it is sent to the chosen destination directly. Thus, the transit time is very less.
If the freight does not need the entire space of a truck, it is called LTL. On the other hand, the entire space of weight limit of a trailer is required for full truckload (FTL) shipments. Efficiency and productivity of the package can also be improved in truckload shipping.
Packaging
Freight is usually loaded onto pallets for unit loads. Sturdy shipping containers such as crates or corrugated fiberboard boxes are commonly used. Carriers have published tariffs that provide some guidance for packaging. Packaging engineers design and test packaging to meet the specific needs of the logistics system and the product being shipped.
Truckload shipments are sometimes broken down into individual containers and further shipped by LTL or express carriers. Packaging for TL often needs to withstand the more severe handling of individual shipments. A typical full truckload for a dry van trailer consists of 24 standard pallets of cargo that weighs up to 45,000 lbs. (or more).
History
When the American Interstate Highway System expanded in the 1950s, the trucking industry took over a large market share for the transportation of goods throughout the country. Before this time era, trains had been relied on to transport the bulk of the goods across the country. The Interstate Highway System allowed for merchandise to travel door to door much more easily. Since that time, truckload carriers have taken advantage of the interstate system to transport merchandise across the country. They typically will bring the merchandise from the distribution center in one area of the country to a distribution center in a different part of the country. The increase in truckload freight transportation has reduced the amount of time it takes to transport the goods where the freight was manufactured or produced to the different areas around the nation.
Sources
- Constantin, James A. and Hudson, William J.. Motor Transportation: Principles and Practices. The Ronal Press Company. New York, 1958. Pages 149-154.
- Bardi, Joseph E., Coyle, John J., and Langley, John C. Jr..The Management of Business Logistics: A Supply Chain Perspective. Cengage Learning, 2000. Pages 45-58, 67-81.
- McKinlay, A. H., "Transport Packaging", IoPP, 2004
- Fiedler, R. M, "Distribution Packaging Technology", IoPP, 1995