To get the most accurate LTL freight quote you will need to know the following information:

1. The pickup zip code
2. The delivery zip code
3. The product being LTL freight shipped
4. The weight of the LTL freight shipment
5. The dimensions and piece count of the shipment
6. Is there a dock or a fork lift at pickup and delivery
7. Are the pickup and delivery locations both businesses

Here are a few questions to ask the pickup and delivery locations before you schedule your LTL freight shipment

1. Can a 53’ trailer fit in each location?
2. Does the LTL freight carrier need to schedule a pickup and/or delivery appoint met at either location?
3. Are there pickup or invoice numbers LTL Freight should ask the driver to reference when he arrives to pickup your LTL freight shipment?

Please contact our LTL freight quote specialist when you are ready to get a quote for your next LTL shipment.

1. Plan ahead- Snow and ice can lead to delayed transit of your shipment. If you can’t drive your car on the road, our LTL freight carriers’ trucks can’t drive either! During the winter LTL freight shipping terminals close when the weather is bad and LTL freight shipments get stuck sitting in a warehouse until the roads clear up.

2.Can your shipment freeze?—If you are shipping anything that is at risk of damage in low temperatures you will need to insulate it or hold off on LTL freight shipping until the weather warms up. Our LTL freight carriers do not have temperature controlled trailers so expect your shipment to get as cold as the air outside. Here are some items that may be affected:

a. Chemicals- We have a customer that ships paints and other chemicals on a weekly basis, during the winter months this LTL freight shipper has to ship using temperature controlled trailers.

b. Food product

c. Equipment with small moving pieces- These moving parts can lock-up and freeze which may damage the machine.

We have a staff of LTL freight quote experts that will be able to answer any questions you might have about LTL freight shipping during the winter months. You may also want to ask the manufacturer of your LTL freight shipment to find out its freezing temperature.

Here are some things to think about when setting up your LTL pick up from an online auction:

1. Make sure you know the weight and dimensions of the item you are purchasing.  Without this information our quote specialists will not be able to get you the most accurate rate.
2. Will a pickup number be required for the driver to pick up the freight?
3. When you are ready to schedule your pickup make sure you have the seller’s name, business name and phone number.  The driver may need to contact the pickup location to make an appointment or get directions.

If you have purchased something large online, LTL freight shipping is an excellent and inexpensive way to ship your new purchase.  Please contact us to get an LTL freight shipping quote on your LTL freight shipment our team will ensure you get an accurate LTL freight quote and your LTL freight shipment runs smoothly!

Things to know about LTL freight shipping a motorcycle:

• You must crate your motorcycle
• You must drain your motorcycle of all the fluids
• It’s a good idea to make sure your motorcycle is strapped down so that it will not move within the crate during transit.

We have had customers that LTL freight ship their motorcycles to bike shows or for long distance moves. Shipping a bike to a show involves a little bit of planning; shows frequently have small windows of time for our drivers to bring their trucks in and out of the area. We have a team of people who have experience doing this and with a few days of notice we can coordinate this to run as smoothly as possible.

The LTL freight class of a motorcycle is based on its density and can be LTL freight class 100 or LTL freight class 150. In order to give the most accurate LTL freight quote we will need to have the dimensions of the crate we are LTL freight shipping and the weight of your LTL freight shipment so that we can find the density and class of you LTL freight shipment. If you are shipping motorcycle please contact one of our LTL freight quote specialist and they will make sure your shipment runs as smoothly as possible.

Another customer ships wooden chairs.  His LTL freight shipments are classed based on their density.  The goal with any density based shipment is to get the most weight in the smallest possible area without risking damage.  The heavier the LTL freight shipment is per square foot the lower the LTL freight class will be. This could potentially lower your LTL freight shipping cost.  This shipper is experienced in packaging his shipments so that he gets the best rate he can each time he uses his CheapShipping.com account.

When shipping chairs consider the way you are packaging them.  A carrier will not pick up chairs that are stacked more that 5 or 6 feet tall.  They will not pick up loose chairs.  When you are palletizing your LTL freight shipments make sure to attach the chairs well to the pallet.  If the chairs can move around on the skid you risk damage and the carrier may not ship your LTL freight to begin with.

If you have any questions about packaging or LTL freight classification contact our LTL freight quote specialists and they would be more than happy to assist you.

Just yesterday, I quoted a potential customer looking to LTL freight ship a chandelier across the country because the chandelier was being LTL freight shipped to a tradeshow I quoted our customer at a freight class of 125.  However, had she been LTL freight shipping the same chandelier to an individual or a business the chandelier would have been freight class 200.

Some types of glass are freight classed based on the value per pound of the LTL freight.  For example, glass and ceramic ware are classed based on value.  The more expensive the freight per pound the higher the freight class, this is to compensate the carrier for the added risk of LTL freight shipping a high valued piece of LTL freight.

Another commonly shipped product is aquariums.  As long as the aquarium is broken down, meaning that it is boxed in pieces, instead of being assembled they freight ship at freight class 70.

Next time you are looking to ship a glass product, make sure to ask our LTL freight quote specialist about how to best ship your LTL freight.

We have a customer that LTL freight ships double corrugated cardboard used to package wine from wineries nationwide.  His LTL freight shipments of cardboard are LTL freight class 125.

Another customer LTL freight shipped paper cups stacked in a sleeve and boxed to a drive in movie theatre in California.  These paper cups are LTL freight class 85.  Since paper cups are not very costly and when packaged in a box on a pallet they are not easily damaged they are assigned a very low LTL freight class.

Still another potential customer called our LTL freight quote specialist to get an LTL freight quote for a shipment of paper files.  These files are LTL freight class 55.  The files are a low freight class because they are of little monetary value, durable, and very dense.  I would warn you though, if you are shipping files that contain vulnerable information you should notify your LTL freight quote specialist to make sure LTL freight shipping is the best option for you.

When shipping paper products ask one of our LTL freight quote specialists to LTL freight class it for you so that you can be sure to LTL freight class your LTL freight properly.

Things to know when getting an LTL freight quote when shipping used electronics:

• Know the weight and dimensions of your LTL freight shipment
• The value of the used electronics you are LTL freight shipping

When packaging used electronics, make sure they are protected and securely fastened on a pallet. Remember that LTL freight will be moved on and off several trucks and it is important that even used electronics are properly packaged when they are being moved like this.

Just because you are shipping something used, don’t neglect to insure it! Most carriers include some insurance in the cost of transportation, but it’s worth confirming how much you are covered.  If your freight isn’t covered to the extent that you need coverage we can offer you third party insurance.

1. These items must be shipped under a business; air freight companies will not ship personal items.
2. Freight class is not necessary
3. Packaging is important; your freight is being air freight shipped potentially a long distance the packaging needs to be secure but not too heavy since the weight of your freight is a factor in pricing.  Your packing motto should be “pack efficiently with as little additional weight and space as possible, but not at the risk of causing damage to your shipment.”

What information will you need to get an international air freight quote?

1. Where is you international air freight going?
   1. Door to door or airport to airport or any combination of those
   2. The airport name or the city it is located in
   3. The physical address if you are shipping directly to a business
2. What are you shipping international air freight?
   1. What is the commodity?
   2. What is the value?
3. How much does your international air freight shipment weigh?
4. What are the dimensions of your international air freight shipment?
5. What is the value of your international air freight shipment?

Please contact us if you would like to receive an  international air freight quote.

How to make LTL freight shipping even easier:

• All LTL freight shipping to tradeshows is shipped at freight class 125.
• Have a contact name and phone number at the tradeshow and communicate with that contact throughout the LTL freight shipping process.
• Always give your LTL freight quote specialist any reference numbers, delivery information, and dock numbers you may have. It may seem like a lot of information but with trade show shipments the more information we have the more likely your LTL freight will arrive on time and hassle free.
• Book your shipment in advance! Book with us at least one day before pick-up and if your freight is going across the country add an extra day of transit time, in case something happens on the road. Or you can get a guaranteed LTL freight shipment .
• Give the carrier any required documentation for pick-up or delivery at the tradeshow. Always keep a copy of these documents for yourself.
• Properly package your LTL freight to avoid having damaged LTL freight arrive at the tradeshow.

I know you’re probably thinking “Tradeshows seem like a lot of work, is this really worth my time and money?” Well I think so! A trade show is a great way to network with other individuals in your industry, find new business, or learn about your competitors. Next time your business is considering a going to a tradeshow, contact one of our LTL freight quote specialists and we would be happy to help you.