FTL / TL (Full Truckload)
Freight that fills — or contractually books — an entire trailer for one shipper, moving directly from pickup to delivery without intermediate handling.
How it works — and why it matters
In a truckload move, one shipper's freight gets the whole trailer and the whole truck: the driver picks up, seals the trailer, and drives to the receiver, typically 'live' loading and unloading against appointments or dropping a preloaded trailer. Dry van, refrigerated (reefer), and flatbed are the major equipment classes, and pricing is per load — a linehaul rate plus fuel surcharge and accessorials.
Truckload's direct dock-to-dock movement is why its service metrics center on the ETA for a single delivery appointment, and why one delayed pickup or a driver running out of hours moves the entire load's arrival. It contrasts with LTL, where many shippers share trailer space and freight is handled through terminals.