A Cargo Van vs. Less-Than-Truckload: Which Is Better for Your Business?

If your business is relatively small, you probably don’t have enough shipments to hire a large fleet of trucks – or even a single truck on a regular basis. This is especially true of micro-businesses that began out of the owner’s house, or the type of business that has fewer than 10 employees. However, you can save money if you hire the experts to do your shipping, even if you’re part of a small enterprise. Luckily, there are transportation logistics companies eager to do business with you, regardless of the size and frequency of your shipments. It’s simply a matter of determining whether to use a cargo van or a LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipping option.

Both types of shipping have their advantages, and it’s possible you could rely on both as your needs change. You won’t have to make the decision alone, either, as a logistics expert would be happy to go over your business’ shipping and receiving needs and advise you on which kind to pick. Cost is a varying factor depending on the amount and frequency of shipping, but it’s also not the only factor. While care is always taken to protect your goods, one kind of small scale shipping offers more protection than the other – just as the other offers many of its own advantages, including temperature control.

Cargo Van Advantages

A cargo van has less space than a truck, but when it comes to expedited transportation and limited space on LTL cargo trucks, it may actually offer you more space for your goods. Cargo vans are an option for small businesses that don’t want to share space in the shipment cargo with other companies’ goods and that want the driver to pay attention only to their items. It’s a must for companies looking for extra and delicate care for their items. Not that those LTL shipments are not treated safely and securely, but your cargo will be only one of a number of shipments sharing the space.

LTL Benefits

Cargo vans aren’t typically equipped to handle temperature-controlled cargo, but some LTL trucks are. If your products need to be kept cool, you’ll need to request a specialized truck. LTL shipment may also be cheaper than cargo shipment precisely because the truck is going out anyway, with or without your goods, so the company isn’t devoting an entire vehicle and driver to your enterprise. LTL also allows for more space than the typical cargo van shipment. A truck is a must if your products or parts are larger than what can comfortably fit into a van.

Choosing Something Different

You may have more that needs shipping than you might think. A logistics expert can evaluate the amount and frequency of your cargo and will let you know if hiring an entire truck for your goods is the more affordable and savvy idea. He can also recommend a plan of switching back and forth between a cargo van and a LTL shipment as necessary. When you outsource shipments and deliveries, you never need to worry about how to get your items from one place to another without spending too much money. The experts will ensure you spend the least amount possible to get the quality transportation you need.

If you have no idea which kind of transportation to pick, you’re not alone. It’s best to rely on the professionals for this type of decision. All it takes is a phone call or an in-person visit or even just an online request for a quote. Since the best logistics company offers emergency and expedited services, you needn’t even worry about them being unable to help you if you need services fast.

About the Author: Justin Lang is a small business owner who recommends Landstar System, Inc. for transportation logistics. He’s happy with both their cargo van and LTL services.

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