Shipping large items can be challenging, especially when you don’t have enough freight to fill an entire trailer. Fortunately, there’s Less-than-truckload (LTL) services that can help you transport your cargo efficiently and cheaply by combining with other small shipments. But how do you prepare your cargo and book your load? That’s what we’re going to find out.
Key Takeaways:
We’ll guide you through these points so you’ll have all the information you need to determine just what kind of services you need to ship your large items.
If you’ve never had to ship something large before, you may be wondering just what your options are. Maybe you’re even wondering just how big is too big for standard mail or parcel shipping. What other option is there?
LTL shipping is a great way to move heavy and bulky goods that can be classified as freight rather than as parcels or post. That said, you’ll need to make sure your package meets the weight and dimensional requirements for this mode of transport. We’ve provided a table that shows what actually qualifies as bulky or heavy loads under these circumstances.
There is a variety of cargo that meets or exceeds the weight and dimensional requirements we included in the table.
This includes:
Even if your large item falls under one of the categories we’ve listed, you’ll still need to take the time to measure and weigh your shipment. This will help you determine if you should ship your freight using LTL services. You’ll also need to include this information on your shipping documents.
For shipments less than 150 pounds, or with smaller dimensions, you may be able to use more common postal solutions, including the U.S. Post Office system or private companies that offer similar services.
Filling out an LTL quote correctly is essential when you need to transport large items. Many shippers are shocked to see how expensive it will be to move their goods, but this is often due to inexperience with the process.
Here are some best practices you should follow when you fill out your quote:
Freight class is essential to get an accurate freight quote. To determine your freight class, you’ll have to look at the following features of your cargo:
Density is the most important factor when determining which of the 18 freight classes apply to your items. Any inaccuracies you make during this process can result in the wrong classification. If this happens, the carrier providing the quote will have to correct your mistake. This can result in unexpected rate increases and additional fees.
While freight class is essential, it doesn’t provide a definitive classification for your goods. That’s why you’ll need to provide a National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) code. These are five to six-digit numbers that are applied to individual commodities. It provides detailed information about the characteristics and packaging requirements of your cargo.
There are a number of ways you can actually get this information, but if you’re struggling, just focus on the basics: dimensions and weight. Working with a highly rated and qualified broker or carrier that can walk you through the specifics is recommended to avoid early mistakes.
Next, you’ll need to provide specific information about any accessorial services you’ll need for your large items. The amount of services you require will vary based on the specifics of your load.
Digital quoting tools are very helpful to get all these steps done. Here at USA Truckload Shipping, you can use our quote platform to get an accurate amount for your shipment of large cargo in a matter of minutes with just a little basic info.
Preparing large cargo for LTL shipping can be an involved process. It all comes down to the exact type of freight you have. We’ll go through the different steps you’ll have to follow when preparing your freight for LTL transport.
Most large cargo that you ship will travel inside a box (or boxes) that’s secured to a pallet. The box you select should fit tightly around the item.
Any empty space between the commodity and the box can be filled in with cushioning to keep it secured. You may want to use a second box that goes around the first one for extra security.
After boxing, you should secure it to a pallet. The floor of a trailer or delivery vehicle is often dirty and may even have spilled liquid on the floor. Pallets will keep your freight slightly elevated. The platform also makes it easier to load and unload your commodity.
Crating is a good option for freight that’s either expensive or fragile, such as:
You can use closed, open, or skeleton crates to protect your shipment. Make sure to use packing material and wooden blocks to keep the item inside secure.
Shipping labels will need to appear on your palletized or crated freight. Your shipping labels should contain key information about yourself, your consignee, and carrier.
This includes:
The amount of shipping labels you put on your freight can vary based on where you’re sending it. Walmart pallet requirements, for example, tell shippers that at least two labels must appear on adjacent sides of the load. This can be vastly different from other retailers. At the very least, you’ll need to put two labels on adjacent sides of the load.
If your large items are delicate or require special handling, then you should include a label that communicates this information.
Common labels with special instructions or warnings include:
Labels like these let the carrier know that your freight should be handled with care. This helps guarantee the safe arrival of your freight.
Related: Essential Pallet Requirements
There are a variety of documents you’ll need to include with your large items when you ship with LTL.
While all the documents we listed serve a purpose, packing lists and HAZMAT paperwork aren’t always necessary. Packing lists are typically used for international shipments, but you can use them for domestic loads as well. HAZMAT paperwork is only necessary for shipments that include hazardous items.
Now that your shipment and documentation is ready, you can move on to booking your load. Start by submitting your information to the carrier or freight broker that you’ve selected. During this process, you’ll have to arrange a pickup date and time.
After booking your load, gather your shipping documentation so you have it ready on the day of pickup. Remove any debris or obstacles at the location to make the pickup easier for the carrier.
Large items that shipped via LTL might require accessorial services. This might be necessary if they’re requested by your consignee. Accessorial services can also make loading and unloading easier at certain locations.
Here are a few you should consider:
For heavy and bulky freight, liftgate services are a must if there’s no dock at the pickup or drop-off locations. You’ll want to add residential and inside delivery to your load if you're shipping an appliance that your customer wants to be installed.
Some locations don’t have an appropriate amount of space for efficient pickup or delivery. Specialized equipment may even be required in some instances. Therefore, you’ll need limited access support for your shipment.
Each service represents an additional cost. We’ve provided a graphic that shows the estimated cost for each service.
The exact cost is different for every carrier. You can try asking potentially transportation providers how much they’ll charge for prior to booking your load.
USA Truckload has the capacity you need to move large cargo using LTL transport. We use a network of over 22,000 carriers to transport freight all over the country. Our network of reliable carriers allows us to provide a 99.5% on-time delivery rate. When you choose USA Truckload, you’ll also gain access to a variety of transportation services.
If you’re ready to experience the difference a USA Truckload can make, then fill out your RFP today. You can also call our team at (866) 353-7178 if you have more questions, or reach out to us on our contact page.
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