FTL truckload: one load, one trailer
FTL, or full truckload, is shipping where one shipper's goods use a whole trailer, moving directly from pickup to delivery without terminal transfers. In the closeout trade, "a truckload" usually means enough goods to fill a 53-foot dry van, which holds 26 standard pallets single-stacked on the floor.
Reviewed by Tyler Kober · Updated
Key takeaways
- A 53-foot dry van fits 26 standard 48 by 40 inch pallets single-stacked on the floor.
- Weight, not space, limits dense loads; US federal rules cap gross vehicle weight on the Interstate at 80,000 lbs.
- FTL goes direct, so it is usually gentler on goods than LTL, and cheaper per pallet once a load is big enough.
What does FTL mean?
FTL stands for full truckload. The shipper books the whole trailer, the carrier picks up, and the goods travel straight to the delivery address without being unloaded at terminals along the way. In closeouts, "a truckload" is also a unit of sale: a load big enough to fill a trailer.
How truckloads work in the closeout trade
The standard reference is the 53-foot dry van. It fits 26 standard 48 by 40 inch pallets single-stacked on the floor. Two limits decide how much goes in:
- Space: pallet footprint and height. Low, sturdy pallets can sometimes be double-stacked.
- Weight: US federal rules cap gross vehicle weight on the Interstate system at 80,000 lbs, including the truck itself. Usable cargo weight is lower, because the tractor, trailer and fuel count against that cap. It varies with the equipment, so ask the carrier for the maximum cargo weight on the truck you are booking.
Light goods (bedding, plastics, apparel) fill the space first. Dense goods (liquids, hardware, canned food) hit the weight limit with empty space left over. Some loads are floor-loaded, with cartons stacked directly on the trailer floor and no pallets, which fits more but takes longer to load and unload.
Example
A jobber buys a truckload of mixed home goods from a retailer's distribution center. The seller says "one truck, 26 pallets, light." The jobber books a 53-foot dry van with a pickup appointment, confirms the dock can load it, and plans to unload with a forklift at its own dock. Because the trailer goes direct, the pallets arrive as loaded.
The common confusion
People treat "truckload" as a fixed quantity. It is not. It depends on trailer length, pallet count, stacking and weight. A "truckload" of heavy goods might be far fewer pallets than a light one. And a truckload is not the same as a container: ocean containers have different dimensions and loading rules. Compare with LTL freight, where your pallets share a trailer with other shippers.
For costs, read what a full truckload costs. For pallet sizes, see pallet.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets fit in a full truckload?
A 53-foot dry van fits 26 standard 48 by 40 inch pallets single-stacked on the floor, loaded two across. If pallets are low and strong enough to stack, more can fit by volume, but weight limits often stop you first. Shorter trailers hold fewer. Confirm the trailer type before you plan a load.
Is a closeout truckload always 26 pallets?
No. Sellers use truckload loosely. It may mean 26 pallets, fewer heavy pallets, more stacked pallets, or floor-loaded cartons with no pallets at all. Ask for the pallet count, the approximate weight and how it is loaded, so you can book the right truck and compare offers fairly.
Who arranges the truck for a closeout load?
Usually the buyer, when the load is sold at the seller's warehouse. The buyer books a carrier or freight broker, sets a pickup appointment and sends the carrier details. Some sellers can arrange freight for the buyer at the buyer's cost. Agree who does what before the load is paid for.
Related
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