Truck Load 101
Freight transportation is the movement of cargo from one location to the next by means of truck, water, air, or rail. In the past quarter-century, the volume of freight that is moved through this system of transportation has grown tremendously. In the next ten years, it is expected to increase by nearly 75 percent. Moving freight by truck is the most popular of moving product and goods. It accounts for over 80 percent of the product that is transported.
Semi trailer trucks, also known as tractor trailers are an integral part of the local, national, and international infrastructure of transporting goods through containerized cargo shipment. These trailers come in many styles and lengths. Examples of these trailers are flatbeds and sidelifts and they may be refrigerated, ventilated, pressurized, or heated depending on the cargo and climate.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) cargo is what the most of the freight shipments and business to business shipments are. These shipments are often called motor freight and the carriers are called motor carriers. Their weight can range from 100 to 15,000 pounds. They are typically less than 8 ft by 28 ft. The average piece of LTL cargo is 1300 pounds and the same size as a standard pallet. If you have large of extra long freight, expect surcharges based on cubic capacity and extra long length. Standard city delivery is usually 48 ft while in residential environments a 28 ft trailer is widely used. Expect shipments to be shrink-wrapped and palletized which necessary in a mixed freight environment.
TL (Truckload Freight) is usually considered any shipment of freight that is over 15,000 pounds. The total weight of a loaded truck cannot exceed 36,000 pounds. TL carriers usually a rate that varies depending on numerous factors: items shipped, geographic location of delivery, and distance. The use of transportation brokers or intermediaries is very common in the TL market.
