Less-Than-Truckload Freight Solutions
LTL SHIPMENT SERVICES
Not every load fills a truck — and you shouldn't have to pay for space you're not using. Kingsway's LTL service gives you access to a national carrier network, competitive consolidated rates, and the freight expertise to classify, route, and deliver your shipment efficiently. Regional or coast-to-coast, standard freight or special handling, we optimize every LTL move for cost, transit time, and reliability.
Regional & National Coverage
Multi-Stop Consolidation
NMFC Classification Expertise
Real-Time EDI Tracking
Dispatch Line
Email Dispatch
Coverage
Nationwide + Cross-Border
Dispatch
24 / 7 — 365
The Service
What Is LTL Shipping?
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping consolidates multiple shippers' freight onto a single truck — so each shipper only pays for the trailer space their cargo occupies. It's the cost-effective solution for freight that's too large to ship parcel but not large enough to justify a dedicated full truckload. LTL typically handles shipments between 150 and 15,000 lbs across 1 to 10 pallets. For businesses that ship regularly at this scale, a well-managed LTL program can reduce freight costs by 20–40% compared to booking full trucks for every load. Kingsway's team handles the classification, carrier selection, rate negotiation, and delivery coordination — so your freight moves at the right price, on the right carrier, every time.
◆ LTL vs FTL — Which Is Right for Your Load?
LTL — Less-Than-Truckload
Choose LTL When:
- Shipment is 150 – 15,000 lbs
- 1 – 10 pallet positions needed
- Cost savings outweigh speed
- Freight can tolerate terminal handling
- Non-time-critical delivery window
- Multiple origin/destination flexibility needed
FTL — Full Truckload
Choose FTL When:
- Shipment exceeds 15,000 lbs or 10+ pallets
- Freight fills most of a 53' trailer
- Time-critical direct delivery required
- Fragile cargo can't withstand terminal handling
- Hazmat requiring dedicated transport
- Single pickup / single delivery point
◆ Understanding LTL Freight Classes (NMFC)
LTL pricing is based on your freight's NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) class — determined by density, stowability, handling difficulty, and liability. Higher class = higher rate. Misclassifying your freight is one of the most common and costly LTL mistakes — it results in re-bills, delays, and unexpected charges. Kingsway's team reviews your freight specs and confirms the correct class before booking so you're never surprised at delivery.
50
Lowest rate. Dense, durable goods. Fits on pallet.
65
Car parts, bottled beverages, books, cast iron.
85
Crated machinery, cast iron stoves, auto parts.
100
Boat covers, wine cases, household furniture.
125
Small appliances, pictures, exhibits, displays.
150
Auto sheet metal, computers, sheet metal parts.
175
Clothing, couches, stuffed furniture.
500
Highest rate. Low density, high-value items.
▶ How LTL Pricing Is Calculated
Freight Class
Your NMFC class is the primary rate driver — higher classes mean higher per-hundredweight rates.
Weight
LTL rates are quoted per hundredweight (CWT). Heavier shipments move down the weight break scale to lower per-unit rates.
Dimensions & Density
Carriers use density pricing (PCF — lbs per cubic foot) to ensure light, bulky freight pays proportionally more than dense cargo.
Origin & Destination
Lane pricing varies significantly. Regional LTL is cheaper than cross-country. Some lanes have limited carrier coverage and command premium rates.
Accessorial Charges
Liftgates, residential delivery, limited access, appointments, and inside delivery all add to base rate — know your requirements upfront.
Fuel Surcharge
All LTL carriers apply a weekly fuel surcharge tied to DOE diesel index. This floats with fuel prices and is applied as a percentage of base rate.
Our Capabilities
What We Handle
Regional & National LTL Coverage
Access to the nation's top LTL carriers covering all 48 states — from regional overnight networks to coast-to-coast long-haul LTL service with reliable transit times.
Multi-Stop Consolidation & Deconsolidation
Combining multiple smaller shipments from different origins into consolidated loads — reducing per-shipment cost and improving transit efficiency across your supply chain.
Palletization, Blanket-Wrap & Shrink-Wrap
Proper freight preparation reduces damage claims and reclassification risks. We coordinate palletization, blanket-wrap for sensitive items, and shrink-wrap for unstable loads.
Temperature-Controlled & Special Handling
Refrigerated LTL for food, pharmaceutical, and temperature-sensitive goods — plus special handling for fragile, high-value, or awkwardly shaped freight requiring extra care.
NMFC Classification & Rate Optimization
Our freight specialists review your commodity specs and confirm correct NMFC classification before every shipment — preventing costly reclassification charges at delivery.
Cross-Border LTL — CAN & MEX
LTL shipments crossing into Canada and Mexico with full customs documentation, border crossing coordination, and connecting carrier coverage on both sides.
◆ Accessorial Services We Coordinate
Liftgate Pickup & Delivery
Residential Delivery
Appointment Scheduling
Inside Delivery
Notify Before Delivery
Limited Access Locations
Trade Show & Convention Delivery
Guaranteed Transit Times
Freeze Protection
▶ How LTL Shipping Works at Kingsway
01
Shipment Details & Classification Review
You provide commodity description, weight, dimensions, pickup and delivery addresses, and any special handling requirements. We verify NMFC class and flag any misclassification risks before quoting.
02
Carrier Selection & Rate Optimization
We shop your lane across our carrier network — selecting the best combination of price, transit time, and service quality for your specific origin-destination pair and freight type.
03
Pickup Scheduling & BOL Generation
We schedule pickup with the selected carrier and generate all shipping documentation — Bill of Lading, labels, and any special handling instructions required for the load.
04
Transit Tracking & EDI Updates
Your shipment is tracked through every terminal transfer. EDI notifications update your team on pickup confirmation, in-transit status, out-for-delivery, and proof of delivery automatically.
05
Delivery Confirmation & Clean Invoice
Signed proof of delivery confirmed and transmitted. A single, clear invoice follows — no surprise re-bills, no hidden accessorials that weren't disclosed upfront.
Why Kingsway
The Kingsway LTL Advantage
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Access to a Network of Trusted LTL CarriersWe work with a vetted roster of national and regional LTL carriers — giving you access to top-tier service on every lane without having to manage multiple carrier relationships yourself.
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NMFC Expertise That Prevents Costly Re-BillsFreight misclassification is the #1 source of unexpected LTL charges. Our team reviews every shipment's class before booking — protecting you from reclassification bills that show up after delivery.
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Competitive Rate Negotiation & Volume SavingsOur volume across the network gives us negotiating leverage individual shippers can't match. We pass those savings through to you with consistently competitive rates on every lane.
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Real-Time Tracking & EDI NotificationsFull visibility from pickup to delivery. EDI integration keeps your team and your customers updated automatically — no calling the carrier, no tracking number chasing.
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Dedicated Support & Streamlined BillingOne dedicated contact manages your LTL shipments and one clean invoice covers each load. No billing confusion, no department shuffling — just consistent, accountable service.
Industries We Serve
Who Ships LTL With Kingsway
Retail & Wholesale
Store replenishment, seasonal merchandise, and distributor-to-retailer shipments that don't fill a full trailer.
Manufacturing
Inbound components, outbound finished goods, and inter-plant transfers that don't justify a dedicated truck.
E-Commerce & Direct-to-Consumer
Oversized B2C orders too large for parcel but too small for FTL — liftgate and residential delivery included.
Food & Beverage
Temperature-controlled LTL for food, beverage, and specialty products requiring refrigerated handling throughout transit.
Healthcare & Pharmaceutical
Medical devices, pharmaceutical supplies, and healthcare equipment shipped with special handling and temperature control.
Construction & Industrial
Tools, hardware, fixtures, and smaller industrial components shipped to job sites, distributors, and supply houses.
Technology & Electronics
High-value electronics and technology equipment requiring blanket-wrap, special handling, and careful terminal-to-terminal transfers.
Agriculture & Chemical
Agricultural supplies, fertilizers, and packaged chemicals moved via LTL with hazmat-compliant carriers when required.
Only Pay for the Space You Use.
LTL done right saves money, protects freight, and delivers on time. Kingsway's team handles the classification, carrier selection, and coordination — so you get the best rate on every load without the hassle of managing it yourself.