The short answer
LTL means less than truckload: your freight shares trailer space. FTL means full truckload: you reserve exclusive trailer capacity. At Pelham, LTL covers 1 to 7 pallets; from 8 pallets, the team quotes a volume load or a full truckload. Dimensions, weight, handling and timing also affect the fit.
LTL vs. FTL at a glance
| Decision | LTL | FTL |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet count at Pelham | 1 to 7 pallets | 8 pallets or more (volume load or full truckload) |
| Trailer space | Shared with other shippers’ freight | A 53’ trailer reserved for one shipper |
| Best for | Partial loads and flexible schedules | Larger loads, or freight that should not share space: high-value, fragile or non-stackable |
| Route | Through Pelham’s origin and destination warehouses | Can go directly from pickup to delivery, without passing through a terminal |
| Drivers | Set by the LTL service level | One driver or a two-driver team: you choose |
| Price comparison | Billed on the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight | Quoted for the exclusive capacity and the actual requirements |
| Pelham transit | Expedited, Regular or Economy, within each level’s coverage | Timing quoted separately for the shipment and the number of drivers |
Tip: do not assume LTL is always cheaper. When a load gets close to 8 pallets or takes up a lot of trailer space, ask for both quotes: exclusive capacity can lower the cost per pallet. Compare written quotes for the same load and receiving requirements.
Which option fits your shipment?
Choose LTL if
- You are shipping 1 to 7 pallets that do not need a whole trailer.
- The cargo can travel safely alongside other commercial freight.
- You can work with the LTL transit estimate for your destination.
Choose FTL if
- You have 8 pallets or more, or the load reaches the trailer’s weight capacity.
- The freight needs exclusive capacity: high-value or delicate goods, cargo that cannot be stacked or strict security requirements.
- The load should go directly from pickup to delivery, without being consolidated with other shipments or passing through a terminal.
- The deadline is tight: with a two-driver team, the truck keeps moving for longer and transit is shorter.
Not sure? Send measurements and weight, and select “Help me choose”. The team confirms whether the cargo, packaging and handling fit shared transport.
Two situations, two different questions
LTL: a Los Angeles supplier sends 2 pallets of boxed packaging to a warehouse in Miami. Shared LTL capacity is the natural fit.
FTL for a partial load: a shipper has 5 pallets of high-value electronics that cannot be stacked or mixed with other freight. The trailer will not be full, but exclusive FTL capacity keeps the load separate.
These examples illustrate the decision; they are not acceptance or price commitments.
How do Pelham transit options differ?
- Expedited LTL: estimated 3 calendar days from pickup, for South Florida only, from Homestead to West Palm Beach.
- Regular LTL: estimated 7 calendar days from pickup to all Florida destinations.
- Economy LTL: estimated 10 calendar days from pickup to all Florida destinations. Pelham’s lowest-cost LTL level, suited to flexible replenishment.
All are estimates, not guarantees. FTL timing is quoted separately for each shipment and depends on whether you choose one driver or a two-driver team. See current LTL coverage and service levels.
How should you compare LTL and FTL rates?
- Give both enquiries the same pickup and delivery ZIP codes, cargo, dimensions, total weight and ready date.
- Confirm which additional services are included, such as a liftgate or an appointment.
- Rates are dynamic and change with the market: compare quotes requested at the same time.
- Compare the total quoted amount against the volume shipped, and the timing, rather than assuming a fixed saving for LTL.
For a partial shipment, how much it costs to ship a pallet from California to Florida explains which details affect the quote.
Choose capacity or ask the team to help
Explore LTL shared capacity or FTL exclusive capacity. If the choice is still unclear, request a quote and select “Help me choose”. The team confirms the arrangement before booking.