Trucking companies transport goods across short and long distances, with different companies specializing in various freight services. LTL companies haul goods that require less than full trailer capacity, while TL companies transport cargo that requires an entire trailer. Blanket wrapping is a more expensive service that involves transporting heavy furniture and equipment without securing them on a pallet. When choosing a company, consider their experience, rates, guarantees, insurance coverage, and packaging requirements.
Trucking companies are an essential part of the transportation industry. Haulers of this type handle a variety of different types of cargo, sometimes providing the means to transport the goods across the city. Other times, trucking companies move goods to distant locations, either by themselves or interline with other freight carriers. Different companies specialize in different freight services, thus creating a network that often includes a variety of shipping companies.
Trucking companies can usually be classified into two broad categories. One is known as long haul trucking. These are simply freight services that allow you to transport goods across the country. The other is usually referred to as short-haul trucking and involves picking up and delivering goods over short distances, such as in a nearby town or at least within a two to three hour drive. Both of these types of services are considered part of what is called over the road or OTR trucking. Within these broad categories are several trucking companies that offer a combination of freight services that allow you to ship anything to anywhere.
One of the most common types of trucking companies are those that specialize in LTL freight services. Short for less than a truckload or less than a load, LTL companies focus on hauling goods that require less than full trailer capacity. The idea is to pick cargo from multiple customers, transport the cargo to a central hub, then reload the cargo with other LTL cargo destined for the same general geographic location. This is one of the least expensive means of transport and is suitable for many shippers.
Trucking companies may also specialize in what is known as TL or trucking cargo. This involves hauling cargo that requires an entire trailer to transport. In some cases, a TL load may not fill the entire trailer, but the forwarder is willing to pay the full truck rate to avoid having the shipment unloaded at one hub and reloaded onto another truck. This approach offers the security of less handling between the point of origin and the destination, something shippers often find attractive.
Blanket wrapping is another type of transportation service offered by several trucking companies. A company that specializes in this type of transport does not require the goods to be secured on a pallet or packed in containers of any kind. Businesses that primarily move heavy furniture and equipment from one location to another are sometimes referred to as van movers or blanket wrappers, due to the use of fabric to cover the shipped items. This particular type of service tends to be more expensive than other options, due to the increased risk of damage in transit.
There are different types of trucking companies to meet the shipping needs of any type of situation. When looking for the right company, always ask questions regarding experience with the type of shipment required, the rates and what kind of guarantees are included on the timeliness of delivery. Also ask about any available insurance coverage and any applicable packaging requirements.
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