Bedford Logistics provides partial truckload shipping services to meet the needs of customers with smaller freight loads. Our relationships with partial truckload carriers, our company trucks and facilities, and our experience and expertise allow us to offer optimal transport solutions at competitive rates. When you hand the management of your partial shipments to us, you can trust us to get your freight to its final destination in a safe and timely manner.
Partial Truckload Logistics Services
Partial truckload shipping is a blend of less than truckload (LTL) and full truckload (TL) shipping. Partial truckload shipments are those that, while large, do not require the use of a full trailer, so other items can be hauled at the same time.
Partial truckload is ideal for low-density freight, meaning light shipments that take up a lot of space. Generally, freight that ships via partial truckload takes up 6 to 18 pallets, weighs between 8,000 and 27,000 pounds and takes up more than 12 linear feet.
Benefits of Partial Truckload Shipping
- Freight is transported on a single vehicle from its origin to its final destination.
- You pay only for the space your shipment occupies and the weight capacity it uses.
- Unlike LTL, partial truckload vehicles do not stop at terminals or hubs; freight is loaded and unloaded only once, even if the truck is shared with another shipper’s freight.
- The risk of damage due to handling is reduced.
- Transit times are faster.
- No freight class classification is required, so you avoid the extra charges that come with re-classification.
- Rates are established by the market and based on mileage, lane, and space and weight requirements
- Partial truckload may be more cost-effective than LTL shipping if your freight takes up more than 3 or 4 skid spots but does not weigh much.
The Difference Between Partial and Volume LTL Shipping
Volume LTL shipping is similar to partial shipping; volume LTL freight does not require a full truck trailer, occupies more than 6 pallets, weighs over 5,000 pounds and takes up more than 12 linear feet. Volume LTL rates are published by the carrier; volume freight must be palletized or crated; and LTL transport involves several stops at hubs and terminals. If your freight meets the requirements for partial truckload shipping, then that’s the way to go!
Questions about this service? Please contact Bedford Logistics for assistance.