{"id":20220,"date":"2023-11-29T06:55:59","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T14:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/?p=20220"},"modified":"2024-04-04T10:44:41","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T17:44:41","slug":"ultimate-guide-to-temperature-controlled-ltl-transportation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/ultimate-guide-to-temperature-controlled-ltl-transportation","title":{"rendered":"Ultimate Guide to Temperature-Controlled LTL Transportation"},"content":{"rendered":"

With industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare relying heavily on temperature-controlled shipping to get freight safely to their destination, less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers have become an integral part of the trucking industry. As companies strive to meet growing customer expectations for fresh and high-quality products, the demand for temperature-controlled LTL deliveries only continues to rise, which is great news for carriers.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what are LTL loads, and how do temperature-controlled trailers work? If you\u2019re relatively new to the industry or simply just want to learn more, we\u2019ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll explore the key factors that make temperature controlled LTL transportation unique and provide valuable insights on how businesses can optimize their operations to capitalize on this growing market demand.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is LTL trucking?<\/h2>\n

Less-than-truckload or LTL refers to a shipment that only fills up part of a truck rather than <\/span>a full truckload<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>As a carrier, you can pick up multiple smaller loads along a route to maximize efficiency and make the most of your truck\u2019s capacity. By optimizing your routes and planning your loads accordingly, you can achieve a new level of cost-efficiency and even pass those savings on to your clients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though shipping cargo as a full truckload is more efficient from a shipper\u2019s perspective, they may turn to LTL carriers on certain occasions. For example, if a shipper needs to move a partial load quickly, they may use LTL transportation. Similarly, a smaller shipper might not have enough freight to fill an entire trailer, forcing them to use LTL carriers. That means there are often plenty of LTL opportunities to choose from as a carrier.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is temperature controlled LTL trucking?<\/h2>\n

Sometimes referred to as <\/span>a reefer<\/span><\/a>, temperature controlled trailers have a specialized interior that allows the driver to maintain very specific temperatures. This is incredibly important for perishable freight such as food or medicines that require a controlled environment in order to preserve their quality, safety, and integrity during transit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These specialized trailers have insulation on all four sides to minimize heat transfer from the outside and use a control panel to regulate the temperature. A compressor circulates refrigerant, extracting heat from the interior. The cooled air is circulated by fans or blowers inside the trailer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Temperature controlled LTL trucking is much the same as any other LTL freight, except the goods must maintain a constant temperature to preserve their quality, so they can only travel in a reefer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Industries that use temperature controlled LTL transportation<\/h2>\n

Several industries rely on temperature-controlled LTL transportation to ensure the safe and regulated transportation of perishable goods. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the industries and what they commonly transport.<\/span><\/p>\n