truckloads

A truckload refers to a shipment of goods that fills or nearly fills a single truck or trailer, and is typically moved directly from origin to destination by one carrier with minimal handling or transfers. The term is used in freight and logistics to distinguish full truckloads from other arrangements that combine multiple customers’ goods in one trailer.

Full truckload (FTL) shipments are usually dedicated to a single customer, which can reduce loading and unloading time, lower the risk of damage, and shorten transit times compared with shipments that share space. In contrast, less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments combine several customers’ freight in a single trailer, which can lower costs for small shipments but may involve additional handling and longer delivery times.

Cargo types moved by truckloads include dry goods palletized for standard trailers, refrigerated or temperature-controlled items, hazardous materials with appropriate labeling and containment, and oversized or flatbed cargo such as construction materials. Equipment used includes dry vans, refrigerated trailers, and flatbeds, as well as specialized trailers for bulk or hazardous freight.

Weight and regulatory limits influence truckloads. In the United States, the typical legal gross vehicle weight limit for a tractor-trailer is commonly 80,000 pounds, with payload capacity depending on configuration but often ranging from 20,000 to 45,000 pounds. Other regions have different limits and rules, including hours-of-service regulations.

Economically, truckloads are evaluated on distance, weight, route, equipment type, and market conditions. Truckload shipping generally offers economical per-pound rates when a payload fills a trailer, while LTL may be preferable for smaller shipments or mixed destinations.