Open-Deck and Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
Thank you for showing interest in Kaiser Logistics and sharing our passion for open-deck LTL! We understand that getting your freight shipped can seem like a difficult task, even when you use truckload carriers that claim to “have it down.”
Our goal is to share information about open-deck LTL so people can take advantage of its benefits.
What is Open-Deck LTL?
“Open- deck” refers to trailers that aren’t enclosed; this generally includes flatbeds, step decks, and double drops which are utilized when something must be loaded from the side, top, or even rear of the trailer. These trailers are commonly used in the transportation of machinery, steel, generators, shipping containers, etc.
“LTL” stands for “less-than-truckload” and is a term generalized in transportation, most often referring to van trailers or common carriers, such as FedEx and USPS.
Open-deck LTL shipping is a type of transportation that is used to ship partial, open-deck trailer shipments. In an industry that historically has required customers to pay for a full 48FT and 48K on the trailer, customers now only have to pay for the space the freight uses.
When we first started, our founder recognized an underserved customer base that lacked price-effective options. This trailer space sharing model is ideal for anyone from small businesses purchasing their first 10ft CNC machine all the way to Fortune 500 companies wanting to reduce costs.
Why It Works
We have more than 20 years’ experience solving open-deck transportation challenges. Small, medium, or large – we’ve helped companies of all sizes from all industries. Beyond that, we are truly passionate about what we do. Open-deck is our specialty, and we take pride in delivering our best, so you can be your best.
How It Works
Let’s say you have an industrial milling machine that you need shipped from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL. We know it was a significant investment and you need it reliably transported at a cost that won’t crush your bottom line.
Your standard logistics broker that seems to do “everything” is going to quote you as a full truckload, even if your machine only takes up a small portion of the trailer.
At Kaiser, however, we only quote you for the space and weight your machine fills on the trailer. We do this for multiple customers, shipping to similar locations to help fill the trailer, saving everyone money.
What Are the Benefits of Open-Deck LTL?
Open-deck LTL freight shipping has many benefits, but not everybody is aware of them. Below are two primary benefits, but keep in mind these are just the basics.
Save Money!
Instead of paying for a full trailer, you only pay for the space used. Plus, you get the exact same customer service (or BETTER) than if you were to move with a truckload carrier.
Save the Environment!
Open-deck LTL allows multiple pieces of freight, which would have otherwise been shipped alone, to ship together. Following this model, trailers can average anywhere between 3-5 pieces of freight. If these were to have shipped separately, say from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL, it would have required about 1,980 gallons of fuel. By shipping together, this number goes down to approximately 396 gallons of fuel - saving around 1,584 gallons! This is not only a savings we can pass to you but a great way to contribute to a greener world.