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Challenges in Local LTL shipping

When it comes to moving freight, Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping is a great option for long hauls and often the only option for local shipments. For long hauls, shippers can often save money by only paying for the truck space they use while truckers and carriers can maximize earning potential by filling the entire truck with shipments from many shippers, but this often comes with the cost of time. For local LTL shipping, the challenges are many. Following is a list of some of the more common issues you’ll find in local LTL shipping:

Rates

Rates can vary quite a bit when you’re looking for local LTL shipping, but it’s important to remember that you often get what you pay for. Choosing the cheaper option to save some money may end up costing you more in time, money and headache later on. Do your research to find someone reliable and trustworthy that can haul your freight at a competitive rate.

Capacity

Just because you have freight to ship doesn’t mean you’ll always have access to a truck that can move it whenever and wherever you need it. Space is a recurring issue as many traditional LTL carriers strive to always operate at full capacity. Additionally, not all carriers provide local LTL shipping, so you have to find someone who offers the service or you may have to utilize a third-party provider to help connect you with the right carrier.

Quality

Not all carriers are created equal. As a shipper, you want a carrier who will be professional and can ensure on-time delivery. It can be a challenge to find quality carriers and vetting carriers and drivers properly takes time, money and persistence. Always be sure the carriers you work with have the proper authority, licenses and insurance as well as a solid history of safe operations.

Time

It can often take LTL shipments longer than you’d like to arrive at their destinations because the carriers work to fill the trucks to capacity by aggregating freight from many shippers. This often leads to manual monitoring of your shipment via emails and phone calls so you can track where your shipments are in the process.

Insurance

Even when you’re shipping a smaller amount of freight with LTL shipping, insurance should be a priority. Trucking companies carry a variety of insurance policies, and some may not fully cover your freight in all situations.  Always be sure your shipment is covered.

When it comes to local LTL shipping, what other challenges have you faced? In our next blog post, we’ll be going over ways you can overcome these challenges to help you utilize local capacity as successfully as possible. If you’re interested in learning how Cargomatic can help you, connect with us!