When it comes to transportation and logistics, trillions of dollars worth of cargo moves across the U.S. every year via semi-truck (or a motorized alternative), accounting for over 70 percent of all U.S. freight movement.
Transportation companies (freight brokers, asset carriers, 3PLs, etc.) have many tactics and solutions for shouldering this burden, covering the specific needs of the U.S.’ many different companies and manufacturers.
Sometimes, these solutions are interchangeable — as is the case with less “complex” freight moves; smaller shipments, palletized retail goods, etc. Other situations warrant a more specific, specialized approach (like heavy haul trucking and over-dimensional shipping).
If your company’s freight falls into the former category — neither over-dimensional, complex or in need of heavy haul service(s) — two things are likely:
Here at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), we have been helping companies, like yours, move their freight since 1955. Throughout the years, this has taken many forms, and today we offer a wide range of transportation solutions using our asset fleet and brokerage authority.
Providing every service at a high level — from full-truckload open-deck and van to partial, less-than-truckload and even hot shot services — is difficult. That said, our experience and capabilities give us a unique understanding of each of them.
In this article, let’s talk about the main solutions for moving “small” freight shipments. There are plenty of options for transporting these loads. Many of them (probably) apply to your situation.
But which transportation services will meet your needs? What do they cost? And, most importantly, how can you make sure the solution you choose truly aligns with the goals you’ve set?
The main solutions for shipping “small” quantities of freight — freight that doesn’t require full-truckload coverage — are:
Let’s go over these services, their cost and the pros and cons of utilizing them.
Hot shot trucking service has become increasingly popular over the last decade.
Performed by an individual operating a medium-duty pickup truck and pulling a hot shot trailer (of which there are many kinds), “hot shotting” freight can be convenient and cost-effective.
Hot shot trailers come in several variations and sizes. Commonly, hot shots are 30-40 feet long and 8 feet, 6 inches wide with the ability to haul cargo upwards to 10 feet tall. In most cases, the maximum weight a hot shot trailer can load ranges from 12,000-18,000 pounds.
Hot shot trailers offer similar capabilities to their 48-/53-foot open-deck counterparts.
Among the long list of cargoes that hot-shot trucking is a viable solution for are:
Note: Many hot shot trailers feature ramps, making this a great solution for moving self-propelled machinery and equipment.
In the right situation, hot shot trucking can be singularly advantageous. That said, compared to the other options on this list, here are the main advantages of hot shot trucking:
Here are some reasons you might not want to use hot shot service for your next load:
Like other dedicated services, hot-shot trucking rates are based on a ton of factors including:
In the end, hot shot trucking rates can vary substantially from one situation to another. That said, the overall cost of this service will be lower than securing a full-truckload solution.
Related Content: What is Hot Shot Trucking?
Straight trucks (which are also sometimes called “cube” or “box” trucks) are single-frame motor vehicles. In recent history, these trucks have become an increasingly common way to transport freight as they present a dedicated, enclosed solution for shippers to depend on.
Straight trucks are essentially smaller dry vans and are manufactured in a variety of lengths. Most commonly, straight trucks are 22-26 feet long and can carry a maximum of 8,000-10,000 pounds of cargo weight. Internally, these trucks usually measure 96 inches wide by 96 inches tall (your situation may vary).
Because they are enclosed trailers and commonly feature a liftgate, straight trucks are used in place of 53-foot dry vans. As such, should it make sense for your business, plan to use straight trucks for dry van commodities like:
If you’re looking for an expeditious, dedicated transportation solution, straight truck services fit this mold. The main advantages of sending your cargo in a straight truck are:
Compared to these other services, here are the disadvantages of using a straight truck:
Once again, the price you pay to use a straight truck is determined by several factors. These factors include but aren’t limited to:
Like most other services, straight truck shipping prices will vary based on your situation. To ensure you receive an accurate quote, work with a transportation provider that has experience pricing these loads.
Related Content: What Are Straight/Box Trucks and How Are They Used to Ship Freight?
Commonly used as an alternative to LTL service, sending your cargo in a sprinter van is a unique way to ensure expedited delivery. These vans don’t exceed the gross vehicle weight thresholds that would classify them as “commercial motor vehicles.” As a result, sprinter van operators aren’t required to follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) hours of service regulations. This allows them to travel from A to B with far fewer restrictions. For this reason, and a handful of others, sprinter van service is an effective way to move cargo — particularly on a tight schedule.
Depending on their make and model, sprinter vans vary in size. That said, typically their cargo capacity maxes out around 4 feet wide, 8 feet high and 8-15 feet long. Due to this limited space, sprinter vans can haul a maximum of four pallets. Don’t expect to get more than 5,000 pounds of cargo into a sprinter van.
Any shipment that fits within its dimensional confines can be hauled by a sprinter van. More specifically, sprinter vans are used to move:
Sprinter vans can not be used to haul hazardous materials or temperature-controlled goods.
Here are the advantages of using a sprinter van for your next shipment:
Though using a sprinter van is a great solution in some situations — and is commonly used to expedite LTL freight after it leaves a company’s dock — there are also some disadvantages to be aware of:
The cost of securing a sprinter van will vary depending on the distance to your pickup, your freight’s length of haul, how quickly your freight needs to arrive and the demand for sprinter truck service in your area. Together these factors — and several others — dictate the rate you pay to lock down a sprinter van.
Note: sprinter vans aren’t nearly as available as other services on this list. Reduce your rate by giving your provider as much lead time as possible when requesting this service.
Related Content: What is Expedited Freight Shipping?
Partial truckload service is a common piece of many supply chains. Carriers offer this service by selling portions of a 53-foot trailer to multiple parties. Once their trailer is booked, a partial-truckload driver proceeds to pick up/drop off freight from/to multiple locations. Usually, PTL services are offered along a certain route, allowing drivers to pre-plan their trailer space and pick-up/drop-off schedule.
Shippers book PTL service by securing a portion of a 53-foot trailer (dry van or flatbed). Although the quantity you ship is up to you, PTL shipping makes the most sense (financially) when. . .
Rule of thumb: Whenever your freight will occupy more than half of a 53-foot trailer, PTL shipping might not be your best option.
Most commodities can be shipped using PTL service. Whether you usually move open-deck cargoes or dry van products/materials, there will be a PTL solution for you.
However, hazmat and temperature-controlled freight are more difficult to ship using PTL service. Since these kinds of shipments don’t mix well with others, you may have trouble finding a viable PTL solution for moving them.
Compared to the other transportation services on this list, here are the advantages of PTL shipping:
Here are the most glaring disadvantages PTL service presents:
Typically, the cost of PTL capacity directly correlates to the percentage of overall trailer space a shipper is using. If, for example, your freight is 15 feet long, occupying 28 percent of a 53-foot trailer and the rate of dedicated service (an entire trailer) is $1,000, expect to pay $280 to secure PTL capacity.
This is not an exact calculation and your situation will vary. That said, as the amount of deck space your freight utilizes increases — reducing the space available for other shippers — your price will increase.
Related Content: What is Partial-Truckload (PTL) Freight Shipping? [Pros + Cons]
Of the services on this list, LTL shipping is the most commonly used. There are transportation companies that specialize in LTL service exclusively, utilizing an asset fleet and terminal network.
Similar to parcel shipping, LTL service moves freight from terminal to terminal and truck to truck, inching it closer to its final destination with each move. Though LTL service isn’t right for time-sensitive shipments, in the right scenarios, it can be very cost-effective.
Like PTL service, LTL shippers pay to secure a portion of space within a larger trailer. LTL shipping is possible when:
Note: these measurements are what LTL carriers deem possible. However, when your freight exceeds 10,000 pounds and eight feet long, other services may be more cost- and time-effective.
Typically, companies moving palletized, non-temperature-controlled freight can use LTL service. While it’s possible to ship temperature-controlled LTL freight, this is a highly specialized offering. Additionally, hazmat cargo is more difficult to ship LTL.
Your cargo’s freight class or “NMFC code” (which drives the price of moving it) should also be factored in here.
That said, you can ship most commodities using LTL services.
Like every other solution on this list, LTL service has a distinct set of pros and cons.
Here are the main advantages of sending freight LTL:
Here are the main disadvantages of LTL shipping service compared to the other services on this list:
LTL freight rates are based, mainly, on that shipment’s freight class — a measure of cargo transportability. Based on four metrics (density, stowability, ease-of-handling and liability), your freight’s classification directly impacts the per-cubic-foot cost of moving that freight.
For this reason, freight that has significant value, is difficult to move and/or is challenging to stow, should be shipped using a different service.
Related Content: What is Freight Class? (Understanding Your NMFC Codes)
Any of these services can make sense in the right situation. However, making this discernment takes practiced hands. While this comparison article is a great starting point, and should give you a leg up in the future, working with an experienced provider will also prove invaluable.
Managing your supply chain and navigating issues as they arise will be easier with a great transportation provider in your corner.
But, with so many carriers to choose from, selecting a great one from the field can be challenging.
That’s why your next step is to download this Freight Carrier Selection Checklist.
This free 30-question tool will help you fill your network with the companies you deserve; companies with the wherewithal, experience and resources to help you when it matters.
Finally, if you have any questions about your next shipment, or how ATS can help you deliver for customers, don’t hesitate to contact us here. We have a transportation expert ready to help you in any way you need.