Your Guide to Booking FTL Freight Shipping Equipment

There are countless benefits to utilizing full truckload (FTL) services but choosing the right freight equipment types to book can be overwhelming. With so many equipment types to pick from, it 's easy to fall into the trap of booking the wrong trailer for your truckload shipping. Fortunately, with a third-party logistics (3PL) partner like Worldwide Express, choosing the right equipment is as easy as counting to five with our FTL freight shipping checklist.

When booking a freight shipment, follow our FTL Freight Shipping Checklist and guide on the different types of equipment available.

Your FTL Freight Shipping Checklist:

1. Review your shipper details.

Make sure you have all the necessary details and contact information for your shipper. Does the shipper have any special requirements to note or shipping hours?

2. Review your receiver details.

Ensure that you have all the correct details and contact information for your receiver. Does the receiver have any special requirements or only accept shipments within a specific time frame?

3. Analyze your commodity.

Note any special details about your commodity. Is your shipment hazardous? Does it need to be refrigerated? Is it oversized or oddly shaped? Is it on pallets? You 'll use these details to choose an equipment type for your freight.

4. Choose your freight equipment type.

Not sure what type of equipment is right for your shipment? We 've put together a comprehensive guide of each available FTL equipment type to make choosing the right trailer a breeze.

Dry Van Trailer

A dry van is a fully enclosed trailer that will keep your freight safe from rain, snow or whatever the road throws your way.

• Options: hazmat,e-track, food grade, plated, roll-up doors, wood floors, swing doors, vented, driver assist, team drivers
• Common shipping usages: beverages, batteries, building products, chemicals, clothing, dry-grade food, finished products, paper, packaging

Reefer Trucking (Refrigerated Freight)

A temperature-controlled trailer that's ideal for perishable goods and temperature-sensitive products that need to stay cool throughout transit.

• Options: hazmat,downloadable T.R.U., e-track, produce chutes, roll-up doors, swing doors, driver assist, team drivers
• Common shipping usages: produce, meats, juice, floral, ice cream, dairy, frozen fruits/vegetables, chocolate/candy, computer servers, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, delicate art

Flatbed  Trailers

Flatbed loads are hauled in an open-air trailer that allows ample room for oversized or bulky items like machinery or lumber.

Flatbed Trailer Types

Standard Flatbed Trailer:

• Options: 4', 6' or 8' tarps, chains, straps, coil racks, dunnage, pipe stakes, driver assist, team drivers
• Common shipping usages: lumber, steel, agriculture, machinery, solar, oversize, overweight

Single Drop Step Deck Trailer:

• Options: 4', 6' or 8' tarps, chains, straps, coil racks, dunnage, pipe stakes, driver assist, team drivers
• Common shipping usages: lumber, steel, agriculture, machinery, solar, oversize, overweight

Lowboy Flatbed Trailer or Double Drop Step Deck:

• Options: 4', 6' or 8' tarps, chains, straps, coil racks, dunnage, pipe stakes, driver assist, team drivers
• Common shipping usages: lumber, steel, agriculture, machinery, solar, oversize, overweight

Conestoga Trailer:

• Options: chains, straps, coil racks, dunnage, pipe stakes, driver assist, team drivers
• Common shipping usages: lumber, steel, agriculture, machinery, solar

Removable Gooseneck  (RGN Trailer):

• Options: 4', 6' or 8' tarps, chains, straps, coil racks, dunnage, pipe stakes, driver assist, team drivers
• Common shipping usages: machinery, drive-on machinery, oversize, overweight

Hotshot Trailer:

• Options: 4', 6' or 8' tarps, chains, straps, coil racks, dunnage, pipe stakes, can be hauled by pickup truck, driver assist, team drivers
• Common shipping usages: lumber, steel, agriculture, machinery, solar

Air Freight Shipping

For a faster and more reliable delivery time, air transport is a great alternative, even for hazmat shipping. While air freight is an economical option for some truckload shipments, it can get costly if using air transport for LTL or partial truckload shipments.

• Benefits: Your freight travels longer distances over a shorter amount of time, making it a reliable transport option for your last-minute shipments under 10,000 lbs. and less than 26ft2.
• Drawbacks: Air shipment is the most expensive transport option for freight and parcel shipments.

Expedited Shipping

Expedite services are perfect for when your priority is getting goods from point A to point B in a pinch, through air or ground transportation. Expedite shipping is available in a variety of equipment types, including sprinter vans, small straights with optional lift gate service, large straights with optional dock high and lift gate service, as well as air freight.

• Benefits: For time-sensitive shipments under 10,000 lbs. and less than 26ft2.
• Drawbacks: Expedited is less cost-effective due to the time constraints and the equipment options do not include dock high vehicles.

Intermodal Shipping

Get the best of all worlds with intermodal shipping and transport your freight shipment by trucks, boats or planes, allowing a higher degree of customization.

• Benefits: You have the opportunity to choose the transportation mode and carriers for each part of the shipment's journey.
• Drawbacks: Since you are working with multiple carriers, this will require multiple bills of lading (BOL), scheduling procedures, insurance and more time to plan out.

5. Outline any special requirements or additional details.

Take note of any other special requirements or additional details to avoid unforeseen accessorial charges or fees in your billing statement.

Find your ideal FTL shipping solution with Worldwide Express!

Download our guide on FTL shipping equipment to learn about the equipment types available from our nationwide network of 85,000+ carriers. No matter what you 're shipping, Worldwide Express has the expertise to provide you with freight shipping relief and find solutions to match all your freight needs.

Ready to book a shipment? Connect with an expert to get started!