5 Advantages of Using LTL Shipping for Your Business

Less than truckload (LTL) shipping is a cost-effective and efficient way to ship packages. It’s perfect for businesses that need their products delivered without the hassle of loading and unloading them from a truck. LTL shipments vary in size and weight, but they typically range from 500 to 10,000 pounds. You have many shipping options to choose from, but LTL shipping is becoming more popular for its variety of benefits.

Here are five advantages of using LTL shipping versus other freight shipping methods.

1. Less Hassle

Unlike traditional LTL shipments, full truckload (FTL) deliveries require a lot more time and attention to detail. For example, when you fill up a whole trailer with containers for an FTL delivery, you need to make sure everything is stacked in the same direction and that it fits in that one space. This can lead to a lot of hassle when it comes to loading and unloading containers from the trailer if they don’t fit. If you’re using LTL shipping instead, then you can load them any which way on the trailer since they’re only occupying one space each; this saves both time and money in labor.

2. Improves customer service

One of the biggest challenges for retailers today is delivering orders on time. As customers become increasingly accustomed to free and fast delivery, they expect a relatively quick turnaround from the company. LTL or less than truckload shipping is a quick and cost-effective way to meet these expectations. Unlike traditional freight carriers, LTL carriers are able to deliver smaller shipments that are picked up on demand. This is an ideal option for businesses that have irregular or unpredictable needs for shipments.

3. Reduces costs associated with handling large quantities of deliveries

With LTL freight shipping, the cost of each shipment is based on the weight of the shipment. This means that if your company is sending out a lot of packages at once, it will most likely save money by doing so.

LTL freight shipping allows companies to send their shipments over longer distances without incurring high costs or delays. Because most shipments are less than 150 miles from their destination, LTL freight shipping usually only takes one day to arrive which means there isn’t any wait time for customers and no need to store inventory at your facility until an order comes in.

4. Improves Inventory Management and Control

With LTL shipping, companies have the opportunity to benefit from cost savings, improved inventory management and control. Inventory can be stored in one location or consolidated into a central warehouse. This will help with ease of use and management of the stocks.

LTL shipping is an effective way to cut costs, reduce inventory levels, and improve customer service. It can also provide a more accurate picture of what products are in stock, where they are located, and how quickly products can be shipped.

Additionally, with less handling, there is a lower chance of products getting damaged along the way.

5. Reduced turnaround time

LTL shipping services provide a reduced turnaround time for freight transport. Unlike parcel delivery, these services are more cost-effective for companies that need to ship larger items, heavier loads, or a mix of both. The reduced turnaround time means that products can be delivered in a shorter amount of time and businesses can save on inventory costs.

Conclusion

LTL shipping is not just for large companies. It can be used by small and medium-sized companies too to save on both time and money. Most importantly, it will help your company reach its growth goals faster than other approaches because it will offer you a competitive edge in the market. For example, smaller orders can be delivered fast and efficiently without waiting for a whole container to get loaded.

Contact our team at Great Western Transportation for a free quote on LTL shipping prices and services!

November 2, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed, General, LTL

What are the Pros and Cons of Dry Freight Trucking?

What is Dry Freight Trucking?

Dry freight trucking is the act of transporting goods without any liquids. This can include items such as sand or other commodities that do not leak.

There are no federal regulations for dry freight truck drivers, so each state has its own set of regulations, which vary in both driving requirements and driving times.

The Pros of Dry Freight Trucking

Traditional trucking is not always the most efficient way of transporting goods. It takes a lot of time and energy to load and unload the trucks.

Dry freight trucking is an alternative that can reduce the amount of fuel used in traditional trucking. With dry freight, there are no large loads to unload or load onto the truck. This means that there is less time wasted on unloading and loading, which saves fuel.

The pros of dry freight trucking are as follows:

  • Trucks are specially equipped for carrying goods
  • It’s less expensive than other modes of transportation
  • Shipments are delivered fast
  • It’s an environmentally sound way to transport goods

The Cons of Dry Freight Trucking

The cons of dry freight trucking are that it is very dangerous for the driver and the cargo. There are a number of situations that can cause accidents, such as a sudden blowout, a flat tire, or running over an animal. Another problem is that there is no way to refrigerate products when they are being transported on a truck. This means that they will have to be delivered quickly or else they will spoil and be lost.

Another disadvantage of dry freight trucking is the carbon footprint created by the trucks and equipment necessary to keep them functioning smoothly.

Proven Ways to Reduce the Disadvantages of Dry Freight Trucking

Great Western Transportation is an industry leader in reducing the disadvantages of dry freight trucking. We can create logistical solutions for any shipment, no matter the size or destination. The team at Great Western Transportation is experienced in managing all types of commodities from agricultural products to building materials.

Contact us for a free quote!

When you need something hauled, call Great Western Transportation! We’re the trusted specialists for all your freight shipping and trucking needs. Give us a call and we’ll be glad to help!

October 22, 2021 | | Category: General, LTL

Heavy Haul Trucking: What You Should Know

Heavy haul trucking plays a vital role in the trucking and logistics sector. Heavy haulers streamline the delivery of large equipment and materials.

Heavy haul trucking drivers and fleet managers face different challenges depending on the size of freight and varying state and federal laws. It requires using a private appropriate commercial trailer for regular freight or oversize haulage.

Before you start, it’s vital to understand heavy haul transport, types of heavy haulers, laws, and restrictions that may affect your equipment and freight choices.

What is Heavy Haul Trucking?

Heavy transportation deals in cargo that is heavier or greater than standard loads. Heavy haul loads usually exceed the standard legal size set by the federal, local, or state governments. According to the U. S Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, a heavy haul has these specifications;

  • Height > 13.6 feet (states can set their own guidelines
  • Length > 48 to 53 feet
  • Width > 8.6 feet
  • Gross weight >80,000 lbs

The maximum size of heavy haul loads will depend on the type of trailer you are using, the state, and the number of axles.

Examples of cargo you can transport via a Heavy Haul Trucking

  • Timber
  • Boats
  • Mining machines
  • Cranes
  • Turbines
  • Excavators

Permits for Heavy Haul Trucking

Before travelling, heavy hauled cargo must get permits and documents. Regulations differ and may require different licenses, ranging from local, municipality-specific, or country-specific permits.

Most states provide oversized cargo licenses to travel within three to five days, depending on state rules. During the week, some states limit the travel hours on heavy haul cargo. Before transporting the load, familiarize yourself with state regulations to ensure that all permits are available.

Conclusion

It’s crucial to consider the service quality, speed, loading capacity when choosing heavy haul trucking logistics. Selecting transportation with more options is an excellent way to assure flawless transit of goods across the states and internationally.

Want to learn more? Contact Great  Western Transportation; they have experience of trucking solutions.

October 7, 2021 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Everything About Professional Heavy Haul Trucking Services

Heavy-haul tasks comprise everything that isn’t standard, such as big freight, wide loads, and heavy machinery. Heavy-hauling loads are frequently overweight and enormous, as the term implies. Overweight typically sized cargoes are also included in this category.

Transporting oversize and overweight items necessitates the use of competent, qualified, and particularly licensed personnel and companies such as the Great Western Transportation. The top-heavy haul trucking operators are familiar with the legal constraints of the highway networks in the United States and Canada. Heavy hauling drivers must be capable of driving trucks and trailers that move huge goods as well as coping with the specialized shipping industry’s extensive scheduling and licensing process.

What is a Heavy Load?

Heavy loads are weights that exceed the prescribed recommended limit on many of these roads. While values vary by state, anything wider than 8.6 ft, taller than 13.6 ft, length than 53 ft, or weighing over 80,000 lbs. gross mass is deemed a heavy load.

How Do I Transport My Heavy Cargo?

Transporting heavy cargo often necessitates the use of special trailers and trucks, which come in various types. Some resemble a standard tractor-trailer with a gooseneck that may be removed (RGN trailer). Others are available in numerous pieces, such as articulating trailers with motorized pusher wheels situated at the very back.

What Are the Requirements for Heavy Haul Trucking?

Heavy haul freight needs special paperwork and licenses, which are provided on a per-shipment premise before one can hit the road. Other limits may be in place as well. When obtaining licenses for your cargo, make sure to confirm with your heavy haul freight service provider first to confirm the state’s rules.

Work With Professionals

Heavy equipment shipping, whether it’s industrial machinery, building supplies, or any other goods that go beyond typical criteria for shipments, necessitates particular handling, route planning, and knowledge to make sure the transportation runs properly.

Great Western Transportation is your ultimate transportation services company across the United States and Canada. With us, you are assured that your cargo will arrive at its destination safely and securely. Please contact us today for your heavy trucking services or to learn more about our services.

September 21, 2021 | | Category: Heavy Haul

4 Benefits of Using Flatbed Trucking Services for your Next Big Project

For your next big project or time-sensitive shipment, you might want to consider flatbed trucking services. Flatbed trucks provide you with multi-directional loading options. You don’t have the limitations of loading up your cargo (or unloading it) at the front or back of the truck or a certain side. Basically, there are no boundary walls that will limit your ability to ship large cargo.

Benefits of Flatbed Trucking Services

Some benefits of using flatbed trucks are:

1. Large Load Capacity

A flatbed truck is designed to handle very large loads. They’re able to handle heavy weight that typically would be too  much for other vehicles and trailers. For instance, flatbed freight includes:

  • Building materials
  • Large equipment
  • Large machinery

Because you can fit a lot on flatbeds, it means you’ll make fewer trips to and from.

There’s greater dimensional flexibility as well, making flatbeds the safest and best choice for heavy or large loads.

They also handle oddly shaped loads well too. In some cases, the problem with cargo isn’t that it’s too heavy, but rather that you can’t fit it through the trailer door. For example, a few items you’d likely have problems with if you weren’t relying on a flatbed truck are:

  • Manufactured home
  • Crushed cars
  • Prefabricated parts

2. Versatility

Other trucking options, like hot shot drivers, can’t handle certain jobs because they’re not equipped properly. When you use flatbed trucks, however, you load up the freight from the tip, rear and sides. This versatility makes the process of loading and unloading simpler and doesn’t take as much time to do.

3. Reduced Number of Trips

With flatbeds, the increased storage space allows you to load up as much cargo as possible. This means less time you spend driving to and from locations for multiple hauling trips. When you reduce your driving time, it will result in more efficient delivery times, which is most trucking companies’ ultimate goal. Over time, it will lead to less fuel consumption and increased savings.

4. Convenience

Flatbed trucks are more convenient too. You move loads on a flatbed safely and carefully using a crane or winch, unlike with hot shot drivers, for instance, that use manual labor to load up their vans or trucks.

For your next big project, consider the ease and convenience of flatbed trucking services, like Great Western Transportation. We provide an array of trucking solutions, including flatbed trucks. Learn more about how you can transport your goods at a fraction of the cost by visiting our website.

August 30, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Heavy Equipment?

Many factors will affect the price of shipping oversized or bulky equipment. Large equipment such as bulldozers, forklifts, RV’s, excavators, tractors, and mining equipment will all demand different prices depending on the weight, length, and height of the objects.

What to consider before estimating shipping costs?

The first thing you should do is determine the weight and dimensions of the items being shipped in order to get a price estimate for total shipping costs. The length and weight of the items being shipped will play an important role in helping your shipping service provider give you accurate prices for shipping your heavy equipment. For example, is the total gross weight of your equipment over 80,000 pounds? Is it over 13.6 feet tall? Is it over 48 feet long? All of this information is important in determining your total shipping costs.

How to estimate shipping costs

At Great Western Transportation, we understand that our clients expect reliability and the best quality services their money can buy. That’s why we put just as much effort into making sure our clients are aware of exactly how much it will cost them to ship their heavy equipment loads as we do in providing reliable, professional, cost-efficient shipping services.

The following factors are the main contributors to determining shipping costs:

Size of load

The size of the load is a determining factor of price because larger loads will require more axles and a larger truck for shipping your heavy equipment. The length and width will also determine the type of trailer you will need, which in turn will affect the overall costs of shipping. Also, larger loads can also affect price due to higher insurance requirements.

Labor and materials

To ensure safe and reliable shipping of your equipment, it will require additional materials for packaging and securing your equipment as well as labor costs for shipping, loading, and unloading. These costs can also include fuel, insurance, and tracking services.

Distance and location

The cost of shipping your heavy equipment is also affected by the distance and mileage accumulated during the trip. Therefore, shipping locally to one location will be much cheaper than shipping your equipment interstate or to multiple locations.

Need a free quote on how much it will cost to ship your equipment? Give us a call as soon as possible!

August 10, 2021 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Top 3 Benefits of Shipping With Flatbed Trucking

Flatbed trucking is a great option for businesses that have large or heavy items to ship. Flatbed trucks are designed specifically with the ability to haul large, heavy cargo. They can be used to transport anything from furniture and appliances to machinery and construction materials.

The flatbed design allows drivers to load their cargo securely without having it shift around in transit, which means less risk of damage or breakage during transportation. This type of truck also requires little-to-no loading time due to its efficient design; you can pack your freight on top of the cab and secure it with straps before driving away!  In addition, this type of truck has fewer turn restrictions than an average semi-truck because they don’t require as much clearance.

Here are the top three most important benefits of shipping your cargo with flatbed trucking.

1. Flatbed trucks can handle large freight

Flatbed trucks can transport large quantities of heavy equipment and materials with ease. Due to the versatility in material that construction companies need, they often use the services of flatbed truckers who are well-versed at securing loads on their vehicles’ backs for safe transportation.

2. Flatbed trucks are easy to load and unload

Flatbed trucks are designed to make it easy for the freight to be loaded and unloaded. Some flatbeds come with modifications or specialized equipment that allow them to work better than others – such as built-in loading ramps and drop decks. This not only makes the process easier, but also safer because both employees of a company using these trucks along with their cargo will remain protected during shipping.

3. Flatbed trucks are versatile

The flatbed truck is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment. It can be used to transport anything from basic framing lumber and other essential supplies for a housing project, all the way up to high-volume items such as furniture or appliances that are too heavy for standard delivery trucks.

The best part about flatbed trucks is they make it easy on your wallet. With the ability to cut shipping costs and get projects done faster, this makes it your best bet for profit margins!

Great Western Transportation provides flatbed trucking services to help you get your freight where it needs to go. Whether it’s a big or small shipment, we have the resources and experience needed for all of them! Contact us today to get started.

July 30, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed

How Can You Find The Right Heavy Haul Trucking Service?

When you are looking for heavy haul transportation services near you, it is important that the decision you make is the right one. One of the most important aspects of choosing a heavy haul transportation service is finding one that supports the type of cargo you need to ship. Unfortunately, many businesses do not always consider this aspect, and this can lead to a long list of problems.

When you work with the wrong company, the partnership can not only prove to be a waste of time, but it can also lead significant financial losses. You can avoid late deliveries, penalties, fines, fees, and more by making sure you choose the right heavy haul transportation service from the very beginning.

If you are not sure what aspect you should focus on, you may not be able to make the best choice. You should always consider your cargo first before making a final decision. The type of cargo you need to ship will allow you to determine the best type of transportation service you are going to need.

You will have to ship some cargo that should only be shipped using a specific type of truck. If you need a specific type of truck to haul your cargo but you make the decision to choose a cheaper option, the decision can become a huge mistake that may be difficult to recover from. Here are some things you should focus on when trying to determine the type of transportation you will need:

  • The type of goods you need to ship
  • The size and weight of the containers you need to use to safely transport the goods
  • The starting point and the final destination

When you have a clear understanding of everything you need to safely transport the goods, you will be able to create a short list of heavy haul transportation services. When you focus on the key aspects of the transportation process, you will find the right heavy haul company. If you are looking for a heavy haul trucking company, reach out to Great Western Transportation today.

June 28, 2021 | | Category: Heavy Haul