Struggling to find an LTL carrier for your shipment?
When a shipment isn’t large enough to fill an entire trailer, many businesses turn to less-than-truckload to move their freight. But while LTL often offers better pricing for smaller shipments, finding capacity can be challenging depending on current demand and your shipment size and complexity.
Because LTL involves sharing trailer space with other shippers, available capacity is typically spread out across multiple carriers, and not all of them will be equipped to handle your freight. Knowing how to effectively search for LTL capacity and establish good relationships with carriers will help you secure space when you need it.
Explore multiple LTL capacity sources
LTL carriers will have different rates, transit times and service options depending on the region they operate in and the amount of space available in their network. Improve the chances of finding capacity by reaching out to these sources:
Carriers you’ve used before
If you have an established relationship with an LTL service provider, they’re usually a good place to start. Because they’re already familiar with your freight needs, getting quotes can be relatively simple. Having contract rates in place also can make it easy to secure space since the company knows they can expect a certain volume of freight from you.
Other national or regional carriers
If your regular LTL provider can’t cover a shipment, you may need to increase the number of carriers you have relationships with. You can go directly to a carrier’s website and use their available tools to get quotes or speak to one of their logistics experts about your needs. If your freight is a good fit for their network, they may have the capacity you’re looking for.
Important Reminder: Be sure to use a reputable company that can handle your freight requirements. The more service-oriented the carrier is, the more they can be trusted to deliver on their promises.
LTL freight brokers
Freight brokers are a valuable resource for finding capacity in every market condition. Not only do they have established relationships and pre-negotiated rates with multiple carriers, but they also make it easy to search their network. Instead of having to go to each provider’s website or make several phone calls, you can see all the available options for your shipment in one place.
Utilizing a broker’s network means you don’t have to worry about sourcing LTL capacity on your own. You can rely on their industry expertise and carrier relationships to ensure you’re seeing every possible solution.
Learn how to get quotes from ArcBest’s LTL network
Build strong relationships to improve acceptance rates
If you’re still having trouble finding coverage for LTL shipments, it can be helpful to examine your operations to identify areas of improvement. This is particularly critical in times of tight capacity since changing certain processes could make your freight more desirable.
Taking these steps can help ensure you’re partnering with carriers effectively:
Provide appropriate lead time
Set yourself up for success by looking for capacity as far in advance as possible. The sooner you can get on a carrier’s schedule, the more likely you’ll be able to secure space in the equipment. Since LTL combines multiple shipments into one trailer, waiting until the last minute could mean other freight gets the space first.
If you ship on a regular schedule, discuss those timelines with the carrier — they may have solutions to prioritize your freight.
Be transparent about your needs
Providing accurate shipment details makes it easier to secure reliable capacity. When a carrier knows exactly what to expect, it’s less likely for any issues to come up. Discuss any special services up-front so there aren’t any unexpected charges and talk through their processes to ensure your freight will be handled safely. The more communication there is during the quoting and booking process, the smoother the experience will be.
Use technology to optimize processes
Technology ranging from API and EDI integrations to a carrier’s digital tools can play a big role in how quickly you can quote and book a shipment. Being able to automatically exchange information between your TMS and a provider’s platform or simply log in to their website to get multiple quote options with one click can reduce the amount of time you spend searching for capacity.
Find capacity in ArcBest’s LTL network
With 100 years of LTL experience, ArcBest makes it easy for customers to ship when and where they need. Whether you’re looking for capacity in certain lanes or preparing for seasonal demand, we can help you move your shipments through our LTL carrier ABF Freight, our LTL brokerage network, or through another transportation mode.
Learn more about our LTL network and register for an account to gain access to 90% of U.S. LTL capacity.