Full Truckload Carriers and Shipping Service

Full truckload carriers transport freight weighing greater than 20,000 pounds in 48- to 53-foot trailers. When you’re transporting large quantities, using a full truckload carrier and shipping service enables you to take advantage of economies of scale. East Coast Transport makes use of FTL transportation, in particular, for perishable food products that require top-of-the-line refrigerated trucks. We ensure that our clients can easily locate a dedicated FTL trucking partner to reduce the time spent on managing shipping and receiving.

More than half of all trucking in the continental United States is done via full truckload shipping service. FTL requires that a single client has enough freight to fill an entire semi-trailer or intermodal container. Another option for clients is to use “less than truckload” or LTL freight fulfillment that allows several customers to mix freight in each container or trailer. The main advantage of full truckload carrier service is that our client’s freight is never handled after it is loaded until it is delivered at the end of its route. With this shipping method, refrigerated cargo is specially protected from the melt.

Supply Chain Management With Full Truckloads

There are many considerations involving logistics and supply chain management when moving freight. In today’s fast-paced world, people enjoy the convenience of receiving products straight to their doorstep. Products are shipped from a warehouse to a customer’s home or business in a matter of days, sometimes hours. Transporting freight efficiently and safely ensures deadlines are met and customers are happy. Advances in technology and increased competition have created unique customer demands in logistics. To keep up with delivery demands, freight must be moved quickly, across town or across the country, at an affordable price. It’s important to work with a 3PL (third-party logistics company) that understands supply chain planning and the benefit of full truckloads. East Coast Transport, a 3PL, can assess your supply chain and make recommendations in all aspects of freight management including transportation, tracking, technology, safety, warehousing, and communications.

When moving freight, the type of cargo dictates the type of truck that is required. Cargo is generally shipped via full truckload (FTL) or less than truckload (LTL). With LTL shipping, carriers ship small amounts of freight from multiple customers. Although the truck gets filled, each customer occupies only a portion of the truck, and they pay for the space they occupy on the truck. A full truckload of freight takes up the entire truck and is usually compiled of large or oversized freight. Refrigerated, flatbed, and dry van trucks all transport full truckloads, carrying up to 44,000 pounds and 48 pallets. Full truckloads are commonly used to transport non-perishable, refrigerated, or hazardous freight. Freight that is moved with a full truckload remains on that truck through the entire supply chain process, resulting in quicker shipment due to minimal stops and handling. Moving freight with a full truckload is more economical than less than a truckload.

Advantages of Full Truckload Shipping

• Many shippers steer away from Full truckload shipping because it requires shippers to fill an entire truck, van, or flatbed trailer. However when a shipper has a high volume of freight, Full Truckload Delivery is often the most economical because carriers offer better rates. This is also true for high-weight freight.
• Perfect for High-risk and Delicate Shipments where goods are not disturbed during transport as they can be with LTL shipping. In Full Truckload shipping, the cargo moves from Point A to Point B with no adjustment and no repackaging. For this reason, a Full Truckload reduces the risk to perishable goods.
• Quicker than LTL: Since there are no changing hands and planning, the freight moves incredibly rapidly to its destination.
• Because the freight is only handled during loading and unloading, the chance of damage is lower. Fragile cargo requires more space (full truckload).
• A full truckload is best for large shipments, generally over 20,000 pounds. A customer has peace of mind knowing that they have dedicated shipping.
• A 3PL company, East Coast Transport, understands full truckload shipping and supply chain management and provides the technology and skilled resources required to meet business objectives.

Supply Chain Planning

Transporting freight at a competitive rate with a quick turnaround time is crucial. Evaluating your supply chain process using state-of-the-art technology, East Coast Transport will make supply chain and full truckload recommendations that help clients improve their bottom line and meet business objectives. We have relationships with carriers that specialize in transporting all types of cargo. Our knowledgeable team is experienced at finding the best FTL carrier at the best price for your cargo. East Coast Transport understands the logistics industry and regulations, and has an extensive network of transportation providers.

Why Choose ECT as Your Full Truckload Carriers and Shipping Service?

The way East Coast Transport works with FTL loads is to contract a semi-trailer starting at the location of the shipper. Once the trailer is fully loaded with freight, and the driver has been given the bill of lading, invoice, and other paperwork, the truck is ready to leave. The driver follows a direct route to deliver the freight. Every once in a while, another driver will relieve the first driver and finish driving to the destination in order to stay on schedule. In fact, drivers have to follow regulations about how long they can continue driving, which places the biggest time constraint on freight delivery. On average, full trailers average a speed of 47 miles per hour.

Full Truckload carriers often specialize in certain types of freight because federal law determines which types of freight can be shipped together in the same load. As a full truckload carrier service, East Coast Transport has relationships with several carriers specializing in transporting perishable items, food products, metal, hazardous waste, liquids, etc. We help our clients choose the right FTL carrier at the lowest cost by accessing a network of thousands of possible full truckload providers.

Get started with East Coast Transport’s Full Truckload Carriers and Shipping Service

By using East Coast Transport to help you find and use a dedicated full truckload carrier, your products will ship using the most reliable trucking service for freight over 20,000 pounds. East Coast Transport is on many lists of FTL companies and is referred to due to our reputation and professional services. Give us a call to discuss your full truckload transport service needs!