The Difference Between LTL and Partial Shipping

Having the choice of a mode of transportation can make a great impact on your company’s performance. You’re in the business of selling products that need to be transported with almost no issues in the process. One mode of transportation can be more beneficial to you than the other or you have the power to choose either or. Less than truckload (LTL) and partial (PTL) shipping are two options of many options to choose from. And both are equally capable to get your goods from one place to another. Although LTL and partial shipping both are popular choices for medium to small companies, they can provide solid potential. They both also have certain differences in their trailer use for you to consider before booking a load.

What is LTL Shipping?

Less than truckload shipping allows a company to rent out and use a trailer for only the space they need. The remaining space can be sectioned off for other companies to transport their products. It is a shared system. An LTL shipment has limited number of pallets that do not exceed 4,000 pounds. LTL shipping plans out its transport to deliver goods in an efficient manner. This mode considers the different stops, upload and unloading each company’s products to save time and money.

What is Partial Shipping?

On the other hand, there is partial shipping which is often considered a hybrid of the FTL and LTL shipping modes. PTL would be an option if there were 5-14 pallets in play. It’s safe to say that this is not a very common type of mode of transportation because of the requirements involved. The one thing that makes it an attractive option is that the shipment is carried and delivered by the same truck that picked the shipment