FTL (full truckload) is transport in which the whole trailer is reserved for a single shipper and the load is delivered directly without transhipment. LTL (less than truckload, groupage) is transport in which the loads of several shippers share the same vehicle. FTL is faster and involves less handling; LTL lowers the unit cost of small-volume shipments but lengthens the transit time.
What is the basic distinction between the two models?
The distinction starts with who the vehicle is reserved for. In FTL transport, the shipper hires the whole trailer and pays a price per vehicle; the freight is the same whether the load is small or large. In LTL transport, the shipper pays only for the space it uses. The carrier consolidates loads from different shippers at a collection depot, fills the vehicle, and at destination separates and distributes the loads.
LTL freight is usually calculated on whichever is greater: loading metres (ldm), volume or actual weight. When converting volume to weight, many carriers use ratios such as about 333 kg per 1 m³ and 1,750–1,850 kg per 1 ldm. As the ratios vary by carrier, they should always be asked for in the quotation. For example, 4 Euro pallets weighing 1.6 tonnes take up 1.6 ldm if they cannot be stacked; at a ratio of 1,750 kg/ldm they are invoiced at 2,800 kg. If the same pallets can be stacked, the ldm is halved and the actual weight becomes decisive.
FTL and LTL comparison table
| Parameter | FTL (full truckload) | LTL (groupage) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Fixed freight per vehicle | ldm, m³ or kg, whichever is greater |
| Transit time | Short and predictable; direct route | A few extra days for collection, consolidation and distribution |
| Handling | Loading and unloading: twice | Four times or more with depot transfers |
| Damage risk | Low; no one else touches the load | Higher; stacking and transfer risk |
| Date flexibility | Loading day set to suit the shipper | Depends on the carrier's departure schedule |
| Customs | Single shipper, single set of documents | Separate documents for each shipper; one missing item can hold up the whole vehicle |
| Suitable cargo | Large volumes, sensitive or valuable cargo | A few pallets, regular small shipments |
At what volume does switching to FTL make sense?
A standard curtainsider trailer is 13.6 ldm long and takes 33 Euro pallets. One Euro pallet (1.20 × 0.80 m) takes up about 0.4 ldm. A practical rule of thumb is as follows:
- Up to 6 ldm (about 15 Euro pallets): LTL is usually clearly cheaper.
- Between 6 and 10 ldm: Grey zone; get two quotes and compare total cost and time together.
- Above 10 ldm: The groupage price often approaches the full-truck price; FTL is both faster and safer.
The threshold is not determined by length alone. Pallets that cannot be stacked consume more ldm for the same weight. For heavy loads the limit is weight: after deducting the vehicle's tare from the legal total weight of 40 tonnes, the trailer takes about 24–25 tonnes of net payload. For how many pallets fit, see the how many pallets fit in a truck entry, and for calculating groupage prices, see the groupage freight calculation entry.
Which should be chosen in which case?
- FTL is preferred if the delivery date is fixed or the load is fragile, valuable or temperature-sensitive.
- For regular shipments of a few pallets per week, LTL eases cash flow.
- In bonded transport, a shipper whose documents are not ready can hold up the vehicle, so document discipline is even more important in LTL.
- As an intermediate solution, some carriers offer part loads in which the vehicle is shared between two or three consignees without transhipment.
Common mistakes
- Not stating pallet dimensions and stackability when requesting a quote.
- Looking only at the LTL freight rate and ignoring the extra handling and waiting time.
- Accepting a full-truck price without checking whether the load actually fills the trailer.
Voltim Global works with both full truckload (FTL) and groupage (LTL) options on its Türkiye, Europe and Russia routes; the total cost of the two models is compared side by side according to the dimensions of the load.