It is undeniable that shipping can be expensive and time-consuming. Keep in mind that the success and survival of your business will be determined by time and cost, which are important components that you should not ignore.
That is why most companies prefer to use third-party trucking services rather than having their own fleets to satisfy the increasing demand for delivering goods from one point to another.
Most truck service companies offer various types of services at different costs. However, before making your decision, you must know what each service consists of. Continue reading to learn more about the different types of trucking services to help you make the right decision for your company.
Less Than Truckload (LTL)
If you do not need a full truckload when transporting your goods, then the best option for you is Less Than Truckload (LTL). The products to be transported will be arranged in pallets, which should have a weight capacity of 150 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. This is beneficial since you can have numerous shipments for different customers delivered on a single truck.
Also, the shipper will only pay for the space that they use, which is cost-effective. The price will also vary depending on the goods being transported as well as if you are using additional services.
LTL is the best option for small and medium businesses. This is because this type of business only ships fewer items than large corporations. With LTL, you can take advantage of delivering items cost-effectively, especially when you need to do this more frequently. The only drawback of using LTL is that you will have limitations on the timing and delivery routes.
Full Truckload (FTL)
Full truck load (FTL) transportation would be the best option for companies that are commonly transporting goods in bulk quantities. The goods will most likely occupy the entire cargo space, or at least the majority of it. Additionally, FTL can streamline the logistics of the delivery process since the goods will be moved from the supplier directly to the customer.
This is advantageous since FTL can deliver your goods faster because there won’t be any other items to deliver to other customers. Also, it can reduce the risk of getting your items damaged because of constant reloading.
The space and speed that FTL provides are perfect for companies that are delivering bulk perishable goods. FTL is also a great option if you are transporting heavy objects from one destination to another. However, FTL might not be a good option for small and medium businesses since it is costly; most often, its cost can’t even compensate for its benefits.
Flatbed Trucking Services
If you are looking for the easiest and quickest way of loading and unloading your items, then you should choose flatbed trucks. This is the perfect option if you are transporting items that are already packed and ready for shipment. Flatbed trucking services are typically used by several industries, such as the construction industry when transporting supplies and heavy machinery.
When it comes to flatbed trucking services, you can either choose short-haul or long-haul services. As the name says, short-haul services refer to delivering items within a particular region. On the other hand, long-haul services are dedicated to companies that need to deliver their goods interstate.
Trucking services have experienced drivers who can assure you that your delivery will be their top priority. Whether you choose short-haul or long-haul services, these trucking service companies will make sure that your goods will be delivered on time to your customers.
Reefer Trucks
Also known as refrigerator trucks, these trucks are typically used for delivering perishable items. This is ideal for items that require a certain temperature to maintain their quality.
The goods will be loaded into the truck along with the essential equipment needed for maintaining the temperature. Most often, a backup system will be set up just in case one of the cooling systems does not function properly. The backup system will automatically kick in to prevent the goods from spoiling.
Some of the items that are delivered through refrigerated trucks are fish, poultry, vegetables, meat, cheese, and fruits. Refrigerated trucks are also commonly used by pharmaceutical companies to transport chemicals and medicines.
Although using a refrigerated trucking service offers a lot of benefits, it also has some drawbacks. The wrong choice of trucking company is the main cause of the drawbacks of using a refrigerated trucking service. However, these mistakes can be prevented if you carefully choose the right trucking company for your business and ensure that you maintain a good relationship with them.
Expedited Trucking Service
If you need to quickly transport your goods from one place to another, then expedited trucking services is an ideal option for you. They can deliver items anytime and anywhere. Expedited trucking service is very useful if the item is fragile or too heavy to ship by air and you need it to arrive right away.
Furthermore, this approach will make sure that your goods will be delivered on schedule, minimizing the risks related to the supply chain. However, due to the urgency of the delivery and the nature of the item, expedited trucking service can be quite expensive for several businesses.
Intermodal Freight Shipping
Intermodal freight shipping refers to the use of multiple types of transportation, such as rail and trucking services, to deliver the goods. Every method of transportation complements the whole delivery since it can overcome the limitations of the other services. For instance, the goods will be transported first through a shipping container.
Then, once it arrives at the port, the container will be delivered to a specific station by rail. The next step is to transport the container to its destination using a truck. With intermodal freight shipping, the risk of damaging the items will be minimized. Furthermore, you can ensure that your items will be delivered faster.
Intermodal freight shipping is commonly offered by most trucking companies. They have the appropriate facilities to ensure that you can have the best experience with intermodal freight shipping. They even have yard locations that are closer to the terminals. These yards are completely safe with 24/7 security.
White-Glove Services
Sometimes you need to transport items that require special care because of their size, fragility, or value. The best approach for this is white-glove services. Compared to traditional transport services, white-glove services will deliver the items to a specific location and will do the packing and installation of the items.
You can ensure that the staff from these companies is well-experienced and highly trained in using specialized equipment essential for handling these unique items. Unfortunately, white-glove services tend to be costly, just like specialized trucking services.
How to Select the Best Trucking Service for Your Company
Ultimately, at this point, you also know the different types of trucking services and what each of these services offers. Nevertheless, when choosing trucking services for your company, there are several things that you need to consider before making the final decision.
This includes the shipment size, budget, nature of the cargo, safety and security, the time required for the shipment to be transported, as well as the pickup and delivery destinations.
These factors can help you in choosing the features that you are searching for in a trucking service. As a result, you can surely find the perfect trucking service that meets your company’s needs. Nevertheless, these factors may also differ depending on the trucking company that provides these services. Hence, before making your decision, be sure to get more information about the trucking company.
Trojan Horse Truck Services offers different types of services, from pickups and deliveries to trailer spotter services and many more. For more information, you can reach us at 602-332-0877 or send us an email at trojanhorseaz@gmail.com.
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