The Value of Partial Truckload Shipping

When it comes to shipping your goods, numerous options are available to get your shipment to its destination in the fastest, most efficient, and cost-effective manner. One shipping method that public warehousing and distribution uses is partial truckload. Very few businesses that perform in-house logistics have the necessary tools to take advantage of this great cost-saving shipping method, but a third-party logistics provider like Brendamour Warehousing, Distribution & Services does, delivering value to businesses every day.

Partial Truckload Definition

Also called load to ride (LTR) or volume less than truckload (LTL), partial truckload (PTL) is freight that does not fill an entire trailer truck. When there is not a full truckload, logistics providers, including Brendamour Warehousing, will fill the truck with shipments from others or find a truck going in the same direction as your shipment’s destination.

Typically, freight that weighs between 8,000 and 27,500 pounds, is less than 12 linear feet, and consists of one to 18 pallets is considered a partial truckload.

When to Use Partial Truckloads

When your business has a midsize shipment, you have some choices to make. Should you go with a full truckload (FTL) carrier, an LTL carrier, or PTL shipping? It’s a decision that cannot be made lightly since it will impact cost, delivery time, and handling.

This is where the expertise of a third-party logistics (3PL) provider comes into play. Brendamour Warehousing, Distribution & Services has the sophisticated transportation management technology to compare shipping options and determine the best distribution option.

Some things we take into consideration when deciding the best shipping methods for your goods are:

- The size of your shipment. Usually, partial truckload is the best mode of transportation for midsize shipments. Typically, midsize shipments are too large for LTL, but not large enough for FTL.
- The type of goods. If your goods are fragile or perishable, partial truckload is the more direct transportation method because there is no cross-docking or unloading and loading onto other trucks to complete the journey.
- The characteristics of your shipment. If what you are shipping is bulky, heavy, or takes up a lot of space but doesn’t fill an entire truck, partial truckload distribution is typically the best option.

Partial Truckload Advantages

One of the benefits of using a public warehouse like Brendamour Warehousing is our carrier networks. We know the quantity and types of shipments going out of our four warehouse facilities and can coordinate partial truckloads into one truck.

In addition, we utilize carriers in our vast transportation network that have extra space in their trailers and are heading to the same area as your shipment.

The advantages of partial truckload shipping to your business are numerous. They include:

- A more cost-effective shipping method. Since you pay only for the space you use, you’re not paying for a full truckload when you don’t need it.
- Faster transit times. Your freight goes out for delivery as soon as it is loaded. There are no stops at distribution hubs, so your goods go directly to their destination.
- Less handling. Your goods stay on one truck, so there’s no unloading and reloading that could create opportunities for damaged or lost goods.
- No freight class is required. This eliminates extra charges and re-classing requirements often necessary with larger shipments.

Want to Learn More?

Is partial truckload distribution right for your business? To find out, simply contact Brendamour Warehousing, Distribution & Services for a free consultation.

At Brendamour, we specialize in PTL distribution and have a solid carrier network and advanced technology to fulfill all your transportation needs, whether it’s regionally, nationally, or internationally.