Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
A shipping mode where multiple shippers share space on the same trailer, each paying only for the portion of the trailer their freight occupies. LTL is ideal for shipments between 150 and 10,000 lbs that do not require a full trailer. LTL freight moves through a network of terminals where it is consolidated, sorted, and redistributed, which means longer transit times but lower costs for smaller shipments.
Detailed Explanation
A shipping mode where multiple shippers share space on the same trailer, each paying only for the portion of the trailer their freight occupies. LTL is ideal for shipments between 150 and 10,000 lbs that do not require a full trailer. LTL freight moves through a network of terminals where it is consolidated, sorted, and redistributed, which means longer transit times but lower costs for smaller shipments.
Example
A small manufacturer ships 4 pallets weighing 2,800 lbs from their plant in Michigan to a customer in Tennessee via LTL, paying about $600 instead of $1,800 for a full truck.
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