LTL Freight Services | Total Connection — Less Than Truckload Shipping, Competitive Rates

LTL Freight — Pay for What You Ship, Not the Whole Trailer

LTL (Less than Truckload) freight is a shipping service where multiple shippers' cargo shares space in the same trailer, with each shipper paying only for the portion of trailer space their freight occupies. LTL is cost-effective for shipments that don't justify the cost of a full dedicated trailer — typically under 10,000 to 15,000 pounds or 10 to 12 pallets. Freight is consolidated at origin, moves through the LTL carrier's terminal network, and is delivered to the destination.

The LTL freight market has no shortage of rate comparison tools and digital booking platforms. You can get a rate from a dozen carriers in minutes without talking to anyone.

What those platforms don't tell you is whether the carrier has a good on-time delivery record on your specific lane. Whether your freight class is correctly assigned. Whether the carrier's claims ratio makes them a risk for your cargo. Whether a carrier who quotes cheap rates adds accessorial charges after delivery that eliminate the savings.

Total Connection manages LTL freight with the same attention we give to every other freight mode. We access the LTL carrier network, select carriers based on service performance not just rate, manage freight classification to make sure you're not overpaying, and give you one point of contact who follows the shipment through delivery.

How LTL freight works

Your freight is picked up by an LTL carrier at your origin location and transported to the carrier's origin terminal. There it's consolidated with other shippers' freight heading in the same direction and loaded on a linehaul truck for the long-distance portion of the transit. At the destination terminal it's sorted and loaded on a delivery truck for the final leg to your consignee.

The terminal network structure is what makes LTL cost-effective — freight is consolidated to fill trailers fully on the linehaul legs, which spreads the fixed transportation cost across multiple shippers. It's also what makes LTL slower and higher-handling than FTL — the terminal touches add time and handling that a dedicated FTL move doesn't have.

Freight classification and why it matters

LTL freight is rated using the NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) system — a standardized classification that assigns a freight class from 50 to 500 based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. The freight class directly affects the rate — higher classes cost more to ship.

Incorrect freight classification is one of the most common and costly mistakes in LTL shipping. An incorrectly assigned freight class gets reclassified at the carrier's terminal — triggering an invoice adjustment that can significantly increase the original quoted rate. Total Connection reviews freight classification for every LTL shipment and advises on correct classification before the load is booked. Preventing a reclassification charge is worth more than finding the cheapest initial rate.

LTL accessorial charges — what to watch for

LTL freight pricing involves more than the base linehaul rate. Accessorial charges can add significantly to the final invoice — and they're where many LTL shippers get surprised.

Common LTL accessorials include liftgate service at pickup or delivery when the consignee doesn't have a dock, residential delivery surcharges for deliveries to non-commercial addresses, limited access surcharges for deliveries to locations with restricted truck access, inside delivery charges when freight needs to be moved beyond the threshold, re-delivery charges when a delivery attempt is unsuccessful, and fuel surcharges indexed to current diesel prices.

Total Connection identifies applicable accessorials at the time of booking — so you see the full cost before the load moves, not on the invoice after delivery.

When LTL stops making sense and FTL takes over

There's a volume crossover point on every lane where LTL and FTL rates converge — and above that point FTL becomes the better value even though the sticker price looks higher. That crossover typically happens somewhere between 8 and 12 pallets or 8,000 to 12,000 pounds depending on the freight class and lane.

If you're regularly shipping LTL loads in that range, it's worth asking us to run the comparison on your specific lanes. We'll tell you honestly if FTL makes more financial sense — we're not trying to keep you on LTL if FTL is the better answer for your freight profile.

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FAQS/

Frequently asked questions

What is freight class and how is it determined?

Freight class is a standardized rating assigned under the NMFC system that determines the base rate per hundredweight for LTL shipments. Classes range from 50 — cheapest, dense and durable freight — to 500 — most expensive, low-density or high-liability freight. Class is determined by four factors: density (weight per cubic foot), stowability (ability to stack and load efficiently), handling (ease of handling and fragility), and liability (value and risk of damage or theft). Total Connection reviews freight class for every LTL shipment to ensure correct classification and avoid reclassification charges.

What is freight density and why does it matter for LTL rates?

Density is the primary factor in LTL freight class determination — heavier freight relative to its size gets a lower freight class and lower rates. Density is calculated by dividing the freight weight by its cubic footage. Shipping freight that's loosely packaged or poorly palletized often results in a higher freight class than the commodity itself warrants, because the measured dimensions produce a low density. Proper packaging and palletization that minimizes cubic footage without adding unnecessary weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce LTL freight costs.

How long does LTL freight take to deliver?

LTL transit times vary by carrier, lane, and service level. Regional LTL carriers serving dense markets can deliver in 1 to 2 business days for short lanes. National LTL carriers typically transit 3 to 5 business days for cross-country lanes. Some carriers offer guaranteed delivery options at a premium for time-sensitive LTL shipments. Total Connection provides estimated transit times at the time of booking based on the carrier and lane selected.

What is a bill of lading and why is it important for LTL shipments?

A bill of lading (BOL) is the primary shipping document for LTL freight — it serves as a receipt for the cargo, a contract of carriage, and a document that accompanies the freight throughout transit. The BOL must accurately describe the freight — commodity, weight, dimensions, freight class, and any special handling requirements including hazmat notation where applicable. An incorrect or incomplete BOL is the most common cause of freight claim disputes and reclassification charges. Total Connection prepares or reviews BOLs for every LTL shipment.

What is a freight claim and how do I file one?

A freight claim is a formal demand against the carrier for cargo loss or damage occurring during transit. Under the Carmack Amendment, LTL carriers are liable for cargo damage caused by their negligence, subject to the terms of the bill of lading and any released value provisions. To file a claim you need the BOL, delivery receipt noting the damage, photos of the damaged freight, and documentation of the value. Claims must typically be filed within 9 months of delivery. Total Connection assists clients through the claims process from documentation through resolution.

Can you ship hazmat freight via LTL?

Yes — with the right carrier and proper documentation. Not all LTL carriers accept all hazmat commodities, and those that do require proper classification, placarding, shipping papers, and in some cases segregation from other freight. Total Connection manages hazmat LTL shipments with full DOT compliance — carrier selection based on hazmat acceptance, documentation preparation, and placard coordination. Hazmat LTL is handled with the same compliance rigor as every other regulated freight we manage.

What is the difference between LTL and parcel shipping?

LTL freight handles larger shipments — typically 150 pounds and above, often palletized — through a terminal-based carrier network. Parcel shipping (FedEx, UPS, USPS) handles smaller packages through a hub-and-spoke network optimized for individual packages rather than pallets. LTL is the right choice when your shipment is too large for parcel but too small for a full truckload. The practical crossover from parcel to LTL is typically around 150 pounds or when multiple packages together form a pallet that's more efficiently handled as freight.

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