When picking the right shipping method for a product, it’s essential to explore your options. This way, you can ensure that your products are shipped safely and efficiently while remaining cost-effective. Full truckload freight shipping is an option that’s convenient for business owners. C&M Transport is a reliable trucking company here to talk about what full truckload shipping is and the benefits it can provide.
What Is Full Truckload Shipping?
Full truckload shipping (FTL) is the process of delivering a full truck container to a designated location. Here, products are fully packed into a truck to fill the entirety of the space. This is a great option for companies who want to deliver large quantities of product – enough to fill a whole truckload. However, products can also be shipped with other compatible products to fill the whole container.
There are many different kinds of trucks that a business can choose to ship their products on, including:
Refrigerated Containers
Refrigerated containers, also called reefer trucks, come with a roof and walls with insulation. They also include a cooling unit to keep goods cold. Refrigerated containers can come in a typical semi-truck style, or they can be shipped using a curtain-side truck. Curtain-side trucks also have refrigeration capabilities. But instead of walls, they have insulated canvas curtains held down by buckles on the side.
Dry Vans
This is your typical kind of semi truck that uses a large, metal container with walls and a roof. There are two doors on the back for easy access, and they are lockable to keep items safe during transport. Dry vans can also be called general-purpose (GP) containers.
Flatbeds
A flatbed truck differs from refrigerated containers and dry vans because it does not have a walls or roof. It is simply a flat, open trailer. Typically, flatbed trailers are ideal for carrying oversized or tall cargo and great for expedited services.
Why Choose Full Truckload Shipping?
There are many advantages to full truckload freight shipping through a trucking company, such as:
Faster Delivery
Because there are fewer stops on the route for full truckload shipping, your products can be shipped and reach their destination even faster than other shipping methods. Truck containers in full truckloads are typically filled with one type of product, meaning they all have to reach the same destination. Because of this, fewer stops are made along the way. This means your shipment can get to the customer’s location even faster, as truckers won’t have to make multiple stops to unload other products.
Climate Control
Some products, like food and perishables, may require a temperature-controlled truck or other specialized equipment for transportation. Full truckload shipping allows businesses to ship their goods using refrigerated trucks. These trucks are designed to keep products at a designated temperature to maintain their quality. Because there are fewer stops associated with full truckload shipping, this can keep your products at a consistent temperature throughout the whole shipping process. In turn, your goods can arrive at their destination safely and in the best quality.
Delicate Loads
Full truckload shipping involves shipping products straight from one location to another. In this case, goods aren’t being transferred from truck to truck along the route. This means your products are less likely to become damaged during the handling process. In addition, because of the abundance of space in large truck containers, freight companies can ensure that transporters pack products in specific ways to minimize damage. Full truckloads also ensure the entirety of the container before embarking, so there’s less space for products to move around and shift during transport.
Decreased Shipping Costs
When business owners decide to enroll in full truckload shipping, they can achieve lower shipping costs. This is because there are fewer stops along the route, meaning less time and resources are spent transporting goods. The truck is simply delivering goods straight from one location to the final drop-off, so there are fewer costs associated with transfers, handling, and multiple drop-off locations.
Rely on Us for Safe Transport
C&M Transport is a logistics company dedicated to business owners through easy, convenient, and communicative shipping services. We handle everything about the transportation process from drop-off to the customer’s door. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, with 17 locations across the country, business owners can achieve safe shipping and handling of their products. To learn more about full truckload freight shipping and other services we offer, contact us today.