LTL Freight Shipping Services
Need Help? Call us today for assistance… or for a Free, No-Obligation LTL Shipping Quote!
Call Us = (800) 450-3735
LTL shipping is ideal for most businesses that are shipping freight that weighs less than 15,000 lbs and doesn’t require a full trailer. Using LTL allows you to maximize your cost savings, and decrease shipping-related overhead.
At Freight Rate Direct, we’re LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) shipping experts – and we offer great LTL rates and top notch customer service whether you’re a first time shipper or a seasoned freight manager … we’ve got you covered.
Stop wasting your time comparing carriers, LTL shipping rates, getting LTL quotes, and asking about tracking methods? Don’t take on the burden of managing your freight on your own – share the load with Freight Rate Direct.
Experience the difference with Freight Rate Direct, Your Source for Great Freight Rates. For a competitive LTL freight shipping rate, complete a quote request here, or call us at (800) 450-3735 to speak with a freight pro now. We look forward to helping you!
How Are LTL Rates Determined?
There are many factors that go into determining your LTL rate, such as:
- Location – The farther your shipment has to go, the more it will cost you. That’s shipping 101!
- Dimensions – The exact dimensions and weight of your shipments are important when determining freight class. The larger and heavier a shipment, the more it costs to move.
- Shipment Mode – Expedited shipping and other guaranteed delivery services are available for LTL shipments for additional fees.
- Type Of Shipment – Any freight shipment that requires special equipment or handling will cost more to ship. This includes biohazards, chemicals, perishables, hazardous items, fragile items, and so forth.
Is Freight Rate Direct the Right Choice for You?
The Answer is… YES, if any of the following scenarios apply to you:
- Are you a wholesaler, manufacturer & distributor?
- Do you ship occasionally or regularly in the U.S. & Canada?
- Do you ship less than truckload (LTL) or full truckload?
- Do you need help shipping occasional heavy haul?
- Are you tired of wasting time looking for the best rates?
Call us today for a Free, No-Obligation Quote! (800) 450-3735
How to Prepare an LTL Shipment?
Following are 3 basic steps to preparing an LTL shipment:
- Measure It – Measure the length, width, and height of your shipment, and round up to the nearest inch. This will help you avoid adjustment fees and get an accurate quote from your service partner.
- Document It – Complete a comprehensive Bill of Lading (We’ll provide you with a BOL) to give to carriers when they arrive. This is your receipt for the goods being shipped, and accurate completion ensures the safety of your shipment.
- Package It And Label It – Goods should be loaded onto pallets to condense and protect them during shipment. Follow packing best practices such as placing heavy, non-compressible items on the bottom of the pallet, and label the shipment clearly.
Welcome to Freight Rate Direct!
Freight Rate Direct is a leading provider of freight shipping solutions for small to mid-size businesses. We offer great LTL rates and top notch customer service whether you’re a first time shipper or a seasoned freight manager … we’ve got you covered.
Experience the difference with Freight Rate Direct, Your Source for Great LTL Freight Rates. For a competitive rate on your freight, complete a quote request here, or call us at (800) 450-3735 to speak with an LTL freight pro now. We look forward to helping you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Call (800) 450-3735 and speak with one of our LTL Freight Pros. We’re happy to help!
“LTL” is an acronym used by the freight shipping industry, and it stands for the “less-than-truckload” shipment modality. This method is typically used when a piece of freight weighs between 150 and 15,000lb and does not require the usage of a full 48/53ft tractor-trailer.
Because LTL shipping does not require the use of an entire semi, the shipper pays only for the portion of the standard truck trailer that their specific freight shipment occupies, and freight companies may contract with several different shippers to fill up the entire trailer – each shipper pays for their own shipment.
Essentially, it’s a “hub and spoke” model. Trucking companies move entire shipments between large distribution centers (hubs), and from there, shipments are sent to smaller local terminals (spokes) and delivered to their final destinations.
LTL shipments do not require the full space or weight limit of a trailer – FTL (Full Truck Load) shipments do. When you pay for LTL shipping, you only pay for what you use. If you pay for FTL shipping, you must pay for the weight and volume of the entire truck trailer.
- Cost Reduction – Because each shipper only pays for the portion of the trailer used when booking a shipment, costs are massively reduced compared to other shipping options.
- Increased Security – LTL shipments are typically packaged onto pallets before being loaded onto trucks. By combining multiple shipments into one well-packaged shipment, you reduce the risk of a valuable shipment being damaged by a smaller shipment service
- Access To Additional Service Options – Most LTL carriers offer inside pickup/delivery and liftgate services, providing you with increased flexibility.
- Tracking Services – LTL services provide tracking capabilities through a variety of methods, including Bills of Lading (BOL), PRO numbers, Purchase Order (PO) numbers, pick-up-date ranges, and shipment reference numbers.
LTL shipping offers quite a few additional services, based on the needs of your company. These additional services include:
- Expedited Shipping – If you need your goods to get to their destination quickly, you can request an expedited freight quote from your carrier.
- Liftgate – Liftgate services are used for shipments that weigh more than 100 pounds, and are sent to receiving locations without a loading dock. A truck equipped with a liftgate will allow your shipment to be lowered to the ground.
- Limited Access – Limited access services are required for deliveries to locations that have limited carrier access, such a construction sites, remote and rural areas, camps, and other out-of-the-way areas.
- Inside Pickup And Delivery – If a carrier is required to enter your building to obtain your shipment or must bring your delivery indoors, this service will be required.
If your shipment weighs more than 150 lbs, LTL will almost always be a better choice. Contact us for details about rates and options.
Complete a quote request here, or call us at (800) 450-3735 to speak with an LTL freight pro now. We look forward to helping you!
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