LTL freight shares a trailer with other shipments and is usually handled several times between pickup and delivery: loaded, moved across terminal docks and reloaded onto other trucks. Good preparation protects your freight, keeps your quote accurate and helps you avoid surprise charges after delivery. This guide covers the steps we walk our shippers through before every LTL shipment.
1. Palletize for Handling
- Use a sound pallet. A standard 48″ x 40″ pallet in good condition, with no broken boards or protruding nails, works for most freight. Oversized items may need a custom pallet or skid.
- Keep everything on the deck. Cartons shouldn’t hang over the pallet edges. Overhang is a common cause of crushed corners and damage.
- Stack heavy to light. Put the heaviest cartons on the bottom, stack in columns or an interlocking pattern, and keep the top as flat and level as you can.
- Mind the height. Very tall or top-heavy pallets are harder to handle and may be refused for stacking. If the freight can’t take weight on top, tell us so we can note it.
2. Shrink Wrap and Banding
Wrap the load tightly from the pallet base to the top so the cartons and the pallet move as one unit. Several passes at the base help lock the load to the pallet. For heavier or dense loads, add plastic or steel banding through the pallet. Edge protectors under the bands and wrap help prevent crushed corners. Avoid wrapping in a way that hides labels or makes forklift pockets hard to reach.
3. Crating Fragile or Irregular Freight
Machinery, equipment, glass and other fragile or oddly shaped items often ship best in a wooden crate or on a skid with a built-up frame. Secure the item inside the crate so it can’t shift, and block and brace any heavy components. A crate also gives you a clear, measurable footprint for pricing. Remember to include the crate in the shipment’s weight and dimensions.
4. Label Every Handling Unit
- Put shipper and consignee names, addresses and phone numbers on every pallet or crate, preferably on at least two sides.
- Include the BOL or PO number and the piece count, for example “1 of 3.”
- Add handling labels such as “Do Not Stack,” “Fragile” or “This Side Up” where they apply.
- Remove or cover old labels and barcodes so the freight isn’t misrouted.
5. Measure and Weigh Accurately
LTL carriers routinely check weight and dimensions, and differences from the bill of lading can lead to a reweigh or reclass charge. Measure the full handling unit, including the pallet and any overhang, as length x width x height at the longest points, and round up to the next inch. Weigh the shipment on a scale whenever you can rather than estimating. Getting these numbers right is the single best way to keep your final invoice close to your quote.
6. Freight Class and NMFC Basics
LTL pricing depends on freight class, which is assigned by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). For many commodities, class is based mainly on density: the weight in pounds divided by the volume in cubic feet. Generally, denser freight falls into a lower class and costs less per pound. Some items are classed by commodity instead, because of how they handle, stack or hold up to damage. Use our Freight Class Calculator to estimate density and class from your dimensions and weight, or send us the details and we’ll help confirm the right NMFC item.
7. Know Your Accessorials Before You Book
Extra services at pickup or delivery are billed as accessorials. Telling us up front gets them on the quote instead of on a later invoice.
- Liftgate: needed when there’s no loading dock or forklift at pickup or delivery.
- Residential: deliveries or pickups at homes and home-based businesses.
- Limited access: locations such as job sites, schools, farms, churches and storage facilities.
- Inside delivery: when freight needs to move past the dock or threshold into the building.
- Appointment or notify: when the consignee needs a call ahead or a scheduled delivery time.
8. Get the Bill of Lading Right
The bill of lading (BOL) is the shipping contract and the carrier’s instructions. Make sure it shows the correct shipper and consignee details, piece count and handling unit type, accurate weight, a clear commodity description, the freight class or NMFC item, and any accessorials or special instructions. A BOL that matches the freight on the dock helps avoid delays, rebills and disputes.
9. Avoid Rebills, Reweighs and Damage Claims
- Rebills and reclasses: usually come from an incorrect class, weight or dimensions, or from accessorials that weren’t on the order. Accurate information up front is the fix.
- Reweighs: weigh on a reliable scale and include the pallet and packaging in the total.
- Damage: solid pallets, tight wrap, banding, edge protection and crating for fragile items reduce the risk.
- At delivery: the consignee should count pieces and inspect the freight before signing, and note any visible damage or shortage on the delivery receipt. Take photos at pickup and delivery. Report concealed damage as soon as it’s found, since carriers set time limits for claims.
When LTL Isn’t the Best Fit
If your shipment takes up a large part of a trailer, a partial or full truckload may be the better choice, with less handling along the way. On our Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Texas lane, for example, we move both LTL and dry van truckload depending on shipment size. Our Trailer Guide explains the equipment options.
FAQs
Do I need to shrink wrap LTL pallets?
For most palletized freight, yes. Tight shrink wrap keeps cartons together on the pallet during handling, and banding adds security for heavier loads.
What happens if my weight or dimensions are wrong?
The carrier may reweigh or re-measure the shipment and bill a corrected charge, which can include a reclass. Measuring and weighing accurately before you book helps avoid this.
How do I find my freight class?
Start with density: divide the weight by the cubic feet of the handling unit. Our Freight Class Calculator estimates class from your dimensions and weight, and we can help confirm the NMFC item for your commodity.
Should I tell you about liftgate or residential delivery when I request a quote?
Yes. Accessorials such as liftgate, residential, limited access and inside delivery affect the price, so including them up front keeps your quote accurate.