What is Full Truckload (FTL) Shipping?

Full Truckload (FTL) shipping is a freight transportation method where an entire truck is dedicated to a single shipment. Full Truckload is typically used when the shipment is large enough to fill a trailer or when a business wants exclusive use of the truck for faster delivery and less handling.

Standard Full Truckload trailers are usually 48 or 53 feet long and can carry up to 45,000 pounds of freight.

When to Use FTL

• You have 10 or more pallets or over 15,000 pounds of cargo
• You want faster transit times with fewer stops
• You need extra security or reduced risk of damage
• You’re shipping direct from origin to destination

Example in Practice

A furniture distributor ships 20 pallets from North Carolina to a retail warehouse in Texas. The cargo fills a 53’ trailer, so the company books FTL service for a direct, uninterrupted delivery.

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