Truckload shipping:
Truckload shipping is the transport of large numbers of standardized, in bulk, commodities, usually, the quantity required to fill up an entire flatbed semi-trailer or another container. A Truckload Shipping company is a trucking organization that usually contracts a single shipper to a single client. The companies involved in this business deal with the movement of bulk cargo and move it from one point to another within a stipulated period and on specific dates. It may be a single commodity like iron ore, cement, or other bulk commodities like coal or petroleum. It may also be a series of goods like raw materials, machinery, or goods bought in small lots.
Major Models:
- Road
- Rail
There are two major modes of truckload shipping; namely road and rail. Within the same mode of transportation, there are several methods of truckload shipping. In the following discussion, we’ll discuss the two major modes of truck shipment and their characteristics.
Road trucks are usually pulled by big trucks, often powered by engines. They are meant for transporting heavy loads over long distances at high speed. These trailers are relatively easy to fix, but they have certain drawbacks. These include fuel consumption, which could be quite high since these trailers are mostly powered by gasoline or diesel. Moreover, these trailers require large space for storage as well as storing the fuel and thus consume considerable amounts of fuel.
On the other hand, rail freight is a mode of truckload shipping in which the actual vehicle transporting the goods is inside the rail freight depot. This means the truck has an open trailer and the shipper pays for the trailer when it is filled with cargo. Rail freight is relatively safer than other transportation modes. However, the service charge levied by the rail company is comparatively higher compared to the service charges levied by truck companies.
Major Types:
- Single Truckload
- Double Truckload
There are two main types of truckload shipping. These are single truckload and double truckload shipping. The single truckload shipping consists of loads that are delivered singly. The second type, double truckload shipping, consists of loads that are delivered together. Usually, the shippers prefer to utilize the services of truck depots to ensure convenience.
Perhaps the most important characteristic of truckload shipping is that the load is carried using flatbed trailers. These trailers are typically used for transporting things that are not in a good condition. Flatbed trailers resemble vans, but the only difference is that they do not have doors in the interior. When a load is being transported using a flatbed trailer, the truck driver will also meet with some challenges, mainly because it is difficult to regulate the flow of the trailer.
Standard Modes:
The modes of transportation commonly used in trucking are the standard modes of transportation like a truck, tractor, and bus. However, trucking companies are now utilizing other modes of trucks, most especially the non-standard modes like the flatbed trailer, to transport goods. Several trucking companies are offering non-standard modes of trucking like the non-standard semi-trailer, non-standard tongues, non-standard four-wheel-drive trucks, and non-standard dual axle trailers. In addition, the flatbed trailer is becoming more popular as a mode of transportation for large loads.
Many shippers are offering services of non-standard trailers. These types of shippers can provide shippers with better cost savings, and they can increase the chances of the truckload shipping provider being able to attract a larger clientele. Some shippers that are offering non-standard trailers are adding on extra services that can further boost the chance of attracting a customer base. Some of the additional services offered by these shippers include the installation of an emergency brake, locking tail lights, windshield wipers, flag pole, steering and gear adjustments, and the availability of power steering. Some shippers are also offering the services of ramps for loading and unloading, a ramp ladder, and vehicle-mounted racks. We can provides branding service to our customer.
