Less than truckload
For freight that does not fill a trailer. You pay for the space you use rather than the space you do not.
When this is the right call
- Your shipment runs somewhere between one pallet and roughly twelve
- The delivery date has some tolerance, because LTL moves through terminals
- The freight is packaged and palletized well enough to survive being handled more than once
Where LTL quotes go wrong
Almost every LTL billing dispute comes from one of three things: the freight class was guessed, the dimensions were rounded down, or an accessorial was not declared. The carrier re-weighs and re-classes at the terminal, and the corrected invoice lands weeks later.
So we ask for more detail up front than you might expect. It is not paperwork for its own sake. It is the difference between the number we quote and the number you actually pay.
When to stop using LTL
Past about twelve pallets, LTL usually stops making sense. The rate climbs, the handling count climbs with it, and a full truckload is often cheaper as well as faster. We will tell you when you have crossed that line rather than quoting you the service you asked for.
| Typical size | 1 to 12 pallets |
|---|---|
| Weight range | Roughly 150 lb to 15,000 lb |
| Handling | Moves through carrier terminals, so expect multiple touches |
| Transit | Longer and less precise than truckload by design |
| Packaging | Shrink wrapped and palletized. Loose cartons do not survive LTL well. |
What we need to quote it
Give us these and the rate comes back accurate
A vague tender produces a vague number that changes later. These are the details that actually move the price.
| Freight class or density | If you do not know the class, give us dimensions and weight and we will work it out. |
|---|---|
| Dimensions per pallet | Length, width and height. Anything over standard height changes the rate. |
| Accessorials | Liftgate, residential, inside delivery, appointment. These are the line items that surprise people. |
| Origin and destination type | Commercial dock, limited access, or residential. It matters more in LTL than anywhere else. |
Other services
Have a lane in mind?
Send us the details and we will come back with a rate and tell you whether we are hauling it or placing it.