How You Can Save a Fortune with Truckloads…

Sending a high volume of palletised goods can feel expensive at first glance. In reality, full truckload shipping is often one of the smartest ways to move freight around the UK while keeping costs under control.

I’m Steven, and I manage Truckloads at PalletOnline. This guide explains what full truckload (FTL) shipping is, when it makes sense, and how it can save you serious money compared to smaller pallet movements.

What Is Full Truckload Shipping?

Full truckload shipping, often shortened to FTL, is exactly what it says on the tin. One vehicle, loaded with your palletised freight only, travelling directly from collection point to delivery point.

In the UK, FTL is typically used when you’re moving more than 8 full pallets to a single destination. At that point, sharing space on a networked vehicle usually stops being cost effective.

Because FTL is a direct A to B service, there are no hub transfers, no cross-docking, and no other customers’ freight on the trailer. In many cases, goods are collected and delivered on the same day, depending on distance and timings.

How Should I Book a Truckload Shipment?

How to Book a Truckload Delivery

Traditionally, booking a full truckload meant phone calls, emails, and plenty of back-and-forth just to get a price. You were usually asked for:

• Full collection and delivery addresses
• Number of pallets
• Pallet sizes and weights
• Type of goods

That still happens in parts of the industry.

With PalletOnline, the process is far simpler.

You can get a price in seconds using our online quoting system by entering just the collection and delivery postcodes. For deliveries of 8 pallets or more, I’ll personally follow up your quote, tapping into our exclusive UK-wide haulier network to secure the right equipment and the best price for your delivery.

If anything needs adjusting for your truckload, it’s handled by a real person. No call centres. No chasing.

If you’d rather talk it through, we can call you to discuss your truckload options and requirements, and manage the delivery from start to finish.

How Much Does a Full Truckload Delivery Cost?

One of the biggest advantages of full truckload shipping is how pricing works.

Rather than paying per pallet space on a shared vehicle, you’re paying for the use of the entire trailer. Once you reach a certain volume, that almost always works out cheaper than booking multiple smaller consignments.

From a cost point of view, FTL makes the most sense when:

• You’re sending a high number of pallets
  
  

• Everything is going to one delivery point
  
  

• Timing matters
  
  

For many customers, switching to truckloads saves hundreds of pounds per movement.

What’s the Difference Between FTL and LTL?

This is a question I get asked all the time.

Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping is used for smaller consignments, usually between 1 and 8 pallets. These move through pallet networks, sharing vehicle space with other customers’ freight. Delivery normally takes at least one working day and sometimes longer, depending on destination.

Full Truckload (FTL) shipping is the opposite. One customer, one load, one destination. The vehicle doesn’t enter a network and the freight stays on the same trailer from collection to delivery.

LTL is ideal for smaller shipments. FTL is where the savings kick in when volumes increase.

The Key Benefits of Full Truckload Shipping

Choosing the right transport option is always a balance between cost, speed, and reliability. Here’s why many businesses lean towards FTL when volumes allow.

Lower Cost at Higher Volumes

Once you’re past the 8-pallet mark, full truckload shipping usually works out cheaper than splitting freight across multiple networked deliveries.

Less Handling

With no hubs or transfers, your pallets are loaded once and unloaded once. Fewer touchpoints mean a lower risk of damage.

Faster Transit

Because the vehicle runs direct, delivery is often same day or next day, depending on distance and booking time.

Added Peace of Mind

All PalletOnline bookings include insurance as standard, so your goods are covered from collection to delivery.

Does PalletOnline Offer a Full Truckload Service?

Yes, and it’s a big part of what we do.

PalletOnline provides nationwide full truckload services across mainland UK, with options for different trailer types, flexible collection dates, and timed deliveries where required.

Our instant quote system gives you a no-obligation price in seconds, and the truckloads team is always on hand if your shipment needs a more hands-on approach.

If you regularly move high pallet volumes, it’s worth checking our full truckloads page to see how much you could save.

If you’re unsure whether FTL or LTL is right for your next move, feel free to get in touch. From my side of the desk, full truckload shipping is one of the easiest ways to cut transport costs when the volumes stack up.

Steve