Freight Sidekick LogoFreight Sidekick

Truckload Freight Services

Digital Tools, Traditional Service

Truckload vs LTL vs Partial — which mode is right?

The choice between truckload, partial, and LTL comes down to shipment size, urgency, and how much handling your freight can tolerate.

Full Truckload (FTL)
This page
~10+ pallets or 12,000+ lbs
Dedicated trailer, no terminal handling
1-3 day lead time on most lanes
Priced per-mile + fuel surcharge
Partial Truckload
Sweet spot for mid-size loads
~6-12 pallets / 5,000-15,000 lbs
Shared trailer, no terminal handling
Pay only for linear feet used
Less damage risk than LTL
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Small shipments, terminal network
Under ~6 pallets or 5,000 lbs
Terminal handoffs (more handling)
Requires freight class; can be reclassed
Best for packaged, palletized freight

Freight Sidekick Truckload Services

Freight Sidekick provides traditional freight management powered by custom software and business process automation.

View Customer Reviews

Our Process

1

Technology

Freight Sidekick makes it easier to book and manage your freight. Our cutting-edge tools help coordinate shipments with less friction, more control, and greater transparency.

Digital PlatformInstant QuotesCustom Dashboards
2

Network

We have relationships with top asset-based and asset-light companies. Our partnership standards and security practices ensure consistent capacity and safety.

Vetted PartnersNationwide CoverageReliable Capacity
3

Customer Service

Single-point-of-contact account management. All our tools and processes are built around providing excellent customer service.

Phone SupportDedicated ManagerCustom Solutions

Comprehensive Freight Solutions

Choose from our wide range of shipping services tailored to your needs

Full Truckload
Dedicated capacity for your larger shipments with nationwide coverage and competitive rates.
LTL Services
Regional and national less-than-truckload shipping with reliable transit times.
Partial Truckload
Cost-effective solution for shipments too large for LTL but not enough for a full truck.
Freight Projects
Project management for plant moves, facility rollouts, and multi-shipment industrial logistics.
Volume Discounts
Competitive rates and special pricing for high-volume shipping needs.
Custom Services
Tailored shipping and web solutions designed to meet your specific business needs.

What to include in your freight RFQ

The completeness of your request directly affects how accurate and competitive your quote is. Here's the shortlist of what we need.

1. Lane
Specific pickup and delivery cities or ZIP codes — not just state-to-state. Lane density is a huge cost driver.
2. Equipment
Van, flatbed, reefer, or specialized — see the cards above or browse all equipment types.
3. Cargo specs
Commodity, total weight, dimensions, pallet count, palletized vs loose, hazmat class if applicable.
4. Pickup window
Date range, dock hours, appointment requirements, dock-vs-liftgate. Tight windows narrow the carrier pool.
5. Delivery requirements
Appointment vs FCFS, residential, inside delivery, limited access — each is an accessorial line item.
6. Frequency
One-off, recurring, or contract volume? Recurring lanes qualify for RFP pricing with discount tiers.
Have all six? Our instant quote tool walks you through them and returns rates in under a minute.

Truckload FAQs

Quick answers to the questions shippers ask most about full truckload.

Standard truckload bookings need 24-48 hours of lead time for most lanes. Spot-market loads on dense lanes (e.g., LA to Phoenix) can often book same-day. Long-haul or specialized equipment (RGN, multi-axle) typically needs 3-5 days. We surface expected lead time on the quote so you can plan.

Ready to Ship Your Freight?

Get dedicated account management with a single point of contact.

Get a Quote