The full form of FTL is Full Truck Load.

Full truckload, commonly referred to as FTL, is a type of shipping mode whereby a truck carries one dedicated shipment. In other words, the journey is reserved for one shipment only. FTL trucking has several advantages over the alternative trucking shipment mode, LTL, or less than a full truckload shipment.

• For shipments that are large enough to fill or nearly fill an entire shipping container, full truckloads work out cheaper.
• Full truckloads are much less encumbered by size and weight restrictions.
• FTL shipments get to the destination sooner, as the truck is making no other pickups or drop-offs along the way.
• FTL transport means less handling (there is no transferring between trucks mid-transit), the shipment is likely to get lost or damaged.

First, as we head into a series on full truckload shipping, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. Full truckload shipping refers to the use of an entire truck for a given shipment. Different definitions may exist, depending on the carrier used and type of the shipment, including the following:

• Dry Van
• Backhauls
• Partial Truckload
• Flatbed
• Refrigerated
• Intermodal

Full truckload shipping rates also vary between these types of full truckload, but full truckload, in general, is subject to three common maximum limit roles, including shipping 44,000 pounds of product, accommodating 48 standard pallets, or shipping 2500 ft.³ of product, explains CSA Transportation. Additionally, full truckload shipments are often viewed as the best option when freight weighs more than 15,000 pounds or requires more space than 10 pallets.