Full truckload shipping
Full-Truckload Shipping
Full-truckload (FTL) is a method of transportation where an entire trailer is reserved for a shipment. This approach can be beneficial for a shipper due to its strategic benefits and various advantages. Through reserving an entire truck, business can often benefit from faster transit times, reduced handling and a direct route from pickup to delivery. There are various factors that influence the cost of full-truckload shipping, including distance, weight, and locations. In this blog, we’ll explore the key advantages of choosing full-truckload shipping, and break down how truckload rates are typically calculated.

Benefits of FTL Shipping
Faster Delivery
The next benefit of shipping FTL is the delivery time. Unike an LTL shipment, FTL shipments do not have multipe stops along the way. Once freight is loaded in the trailer, there is only one destination. This means that your shipment will be moved from pick-up to drop-off in one smooth trip, reducing risk and speeding up the delivery process.
Reduced Risk
As mentioned above, there is a reduced risk due to various factors when shipping FTL. When shipping LTL, freight is often moved around numerous times throughout the delivery process. Although rare, in some cases, skids can be damaged when being handled. Reducing the amount of movement of the skids can help mitigate any risk involved.
Fewer Requirements
There is greater ease of use for the shipper when choosing FTL. FTL rates are calculated based on the use of a full trailer. As long as the skid count does not exceed the maximum capabilities of the trailer, then the shipment will be good to go. This can make booking a shipment more straightfoward.
Reduced Costs
When a shipment has enough freight to fill a truck, truckload shipping will be a more cost efficient option than LTL shipping. When shipping LTL, you are paying for the part of the trailer that you use. If you are able to fill an entire trailer, it may be more cost efficient to ship at longer intervals with a full trailer.
Common Factors that Impact an FTL Rate
Distance
The first indicator of cost is the distance that needs to be travelled. In most cases, the greater the distance, the greater the rate. There are cases where rates will be higher at lesser distances due to irregular lanes.
Type of Lane
High Volume Lane
In the shipping industry, there are lanes that trucking companies will dedicate trucks to. These lanes are typically routes where substantial amounts of freight are constantly moved through. Carriers know that they will be able to find freight for their trucks. Along with this, it is much easier to find freight coming back, reducing the risk of a truck returning empty, which maximizes profit potential per trailer.
Low Volume Lane
The opposite of the high volume lanes is the more unique, low volume lanes. These are lanes that carriers do not frequently have trucks dedicated to and are usually less desired. These lanes that are less desired can come with higher costs. When shipping to a location that has few trucks available, carriers often charge higher per-mile rates. They have a lower chance of finding full loads coming back. This means they need to make up for some of that on the way to the destination.
Type of Trailer
The trailer type has an impact on the rate. Different trailers come with different costs and some are higher than others. Flatbeds and reefer trailers come with higher costs on average than a dry van. This is due to the extra processes that are involved with loading and driving a flatbed and reefer.
Supply and Demand
Shipping Truckload with Wood-Hall Logistics
At Wood-Hall Logistics, we offer dependable and efficient truckload shipping solutions designed to meet a variety of freight needs. Our TL services are ideal for companies who require dedicated transportation, providing faster transit times and minimal handling from origin to destination. With access to a broad selection of trailers and specialized equipment, we can handle shipments of different sizes and requirements, ensuring that each load is optimized for secure and timely delivery. Whether your goods are moving within Canada, or cross-border, we provide a smooth and cost-effective truckload shipping experience.
Conclusion
Truckload shipping is a reliable and efficient solution for business with larger volumes of freight, or specific delivery parameters and timelines. By dedicating an entire truck to one load, TL shipping reduces transit time, minimizes handling, and enhances security, making it an excellent choice for moving freight.
Our team at Wood-Hall Logistics can help answer any questions regarding what shipment type would be best for your business. Reach out to us at operations@wood-hall.com or give us a call at 519-213-1000!
-The Team at Wood-Hall Logistics