Breaking the Bottleneck: Using PTL to Solve Your Capacity Crunches

PTL (Partial Truckload)—often described as the middle ground between Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and Full Truckload (FTL)—is a shipping solution where a carrier dedicates a portion of a trailer to one shipper's freight, typically measured by pallets, cubic feet, or linear feet. For businesses facing capacity crunches, PTL provides a practical way to move larger-than-LTL but smaller-than-FTL loads without paying for unused truck space.

At a basic level, PTL means your cargo shares a truck with a limited number of other shippers (or occupies a specific portion of the trailer). Unlike LTL, which consolidates many shippers’ small shipments with multiple stops and frequent handling, PTL usually involves fewer stops, reduced handling, and simpler routing—yielding lower damage risk, faster transit, and simpler scheduling.

Why choose PTL? The common reasons are

• Capacity relief: When FTL is too expensive or unavailable, PTL offers a practical alternative without the delays of waiting to fill a truck.
• Cost control: You avoid paying for a whole trailer while securing more predictable pricing than LTL for larger shipments.
• Faster, more reliable transit: Fewer stops and less rehandling than LTL typically mean better on-time performance and lower damage rates.
• Operational simplicity: Easier pickup and delivery scheduling and simpler pallet-level handling reduce complexity for warehouse teams.

How PTL works in practice

1. Volume assessment: The shipper evaluates the shipment size—pallet count, weight, and dimensions—to determine PTL suitability. Typical PTL candidates are shipments that occupy several pallets but not an entire trailer (e.g., 6–16 pallets, depending on trailer type).
2. Rate and booking: Carriers or brokers provide rates that may be quoted per pallet, per linear foot of trailer space, per cwt (hundredweight), or as a flat PTL tariff. Pricing often includes pickup, drop-off, and limited handling.
3. Consolidation and routing: The carrier assigns trailer space and plans the route. Because PTL loads are larger and fewer than LTL, the truck may go direct to a region or a single stop, improving transit times.
4. Pickup and delivery: Shippers palletize, label, and stage freight for pickup; carriers follow appointment windows and deliver with fewer intermediate terminals.

Common pricing models and considerations

• Per-pallet: Simple for pallets that are uniform in size and weight.
• Per linear foot: Useful when pallets vary or the shipper thinks in terms of trailer load space.
• Per cwt or flat rate: Sometimes used for non-palletized freight or long-distance lanes.
• Minimum and accessorial: Watch for minimum charges, detention, loading/unloading fees, liftgate, residential delivery, and inside delivery charges that can affect total landed cost.

When PTL is the right choice

• Shipment size is larger than typical LTL (multiple pallets) but not large enough to justify FTL cost.
• Speed and reduced handling matter—seasonal peaks, promotions, or replenishment to regional distribution centers are common PTL use cases.
• Shipments need more predictable delivery windows than LTL provides but don’t require a dedicated truck.

Implementation best practices (beginner friendly)

• Measure and standardize packaging: Use consistent pallet configurations and shrink-wrap to maximize density and simplify quoting.
• Labeling and documentation: Clear pallet-level labels and an accurate bill of lading (BOL) reduce delays and misroutes.
• Work with reliable carriers or brokers: Look for lane experience, capacity guarantees, and transparent accessorial policies.
• Plan pickups and appointments: Schedule appointments to avoid detention and ensure on-time loading and delivery.
• Use basic freight technology: A TMS or carrier portal for booking and tracking provides visibility and simplifies exceptions handling.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Under-palletizing: Sending loosely packed pallets wastes trailer space and may mean you pay more than necessary.
• Ignoring accessorials: Surprise fees for liftgate or inside delivery often eliminate PTL savings if not anticipated.
• Poor documentation: Incomplete BOLs or incorrect commodity descriptions cause delays and reclassification charges.
• Choosing the wrong carrier: Capacity and lane expertise matter. A low-cost carrier without strong service on a lane can increase dwell time and damage rates.

Risks and mitigations:

• Delays from multi-stop routing: Mitigate by selecting PTL lanes with limited, well-planned stops or using guaranteed pickup windows.
• Damage from improper loading: Reduce risk with standardized palletization, correct weight distribution, and clear loading instructions.
• Rate volatility on peak seasons: Lock in capacity early, use flexible contracts, or maintain multiple carrier relationships.

Metrics to track success:

• Cost per pallet or per unit shipped
• On-time delivery percentage
• Damage/case count per thousand
• Average transit time and variance
• Detention and accessorial charges

Real-world example

A mid-size e-commerce company faced warehouse overload during holiday peaks and rising FTL rates. By moving planned replenishments from weekly LTL shipments to PTL—consolidating 10–12 pallets per run to regional DCs—they reduced handling steps, cut damage by 30%, and lowered per-pallet transportation costs by 18% versus buying multiple small LTL slots. The company coordinated pallet standards, booked PTL lanes with a trusted carrier, and used appointment scheduling to avoid detention fees.

Technology and operational alignment

• TMS integration: Even basic TMS tools simplify quoting, lane optimization, and tracking for PTL moves.
• Warehouse coordination: Dock scheduling, staging areas for pallet pickup, and clear loading instructions speed carrier interactions and reduce delays.
• Carrier communications: Real-time tracking and proactive exception alerts keep supply chain partners informed and reduce fallout.

Final consideration

PTL is a pragmatic, scalable response to capacity crunches. It preserves many of the benefits of FTL—reduced handling and faster transit—while avoiding the cost of a dedicated trailer. For businesses new to PTL, start with core lanes, standardize pallet and packaging practices, partner with experienced carriers, and monitor the metrics above. With simple operational adjustments and the right contractual terms, PTL can smooth peaks, lower damage, and free up both cost and capacity across your network.