Alaska LTL Freight Tips for Efficient, Cost-Effective Shipments

When you need a right-sized, cost-effective Alaska freight solution, look to LTL freight service. For cargo that’s too big (or heavy!) for small parcel service—but too small for FTL service—a less-than-truckload (LTL) solution can be the perfect fit for Alaska freight.

When you move your Alaska cargo LTL, you’ll only pay for the space you need. Your shipment will “carpool” with other cargo. (In contrast to Alaska FTL shipments, which move in their own, dedicated trailer.)

Below, you’ll find our top tips to help you optimize your next Alaska LTL freight shipment. Our pointers will help minimize your costs and maximize your efficiencies, so you can make the most of your freight budget.

First, let’s cover the basics of Alaska LTL freight.

Alaska LTL Freight: Definitions, Pros, and Cons

LTL stands for Less-Than-truckLoad. Alaska LTL cargo shares space with other shipments headed to similar destinations, allowing shippers to “share” the cost of the trailer.

Full truckload service (also known as FTL) gives you an entire trailer, dedicated to whatever shipment you want to load inside. No other cargo is loaded on board. Additionally, all the stops the truck makes will be for you.

In contrast, when you move your Alaska freight LTL, your cargo will be loaded in the trailer with other shippers’ cargo. The driver will make stops along the way to pick up and deliver cargo for other shippers.

• Price: In contrast for paying for a full trailer you don’t need, LTL service allows you to essentially share costs with other shippers for your smaller loads.
• Speed: Instead of waiting to fill a full trailer, choosing LTL allows you to move your shipment as soon as it’s booked.
• Flexibility: If your Alaska freight volume is variable, LTL service offers you the flexibility to pay for the space you need, rather than committing to a full trailer.
• Environmental Footprint: Since LTL freight “carpools” with other shipments, it’s considered a more environmentally friendly choice than moving that cargo FTL.

• Price: FTL offers economies of scale, so LTL service can cost you more per unit, which can impact your margins.
• Longer Timelines: Trucks carrying LTL freight make multiple stops, so LTL timelines can be longer and slightly unpredictable. (This can create added challenges for Alaska businesses!)
• Damage Risk: During an LTL route, cargo may be loaded and unloaded around yours, which means a greater possibility for damage. For Alaska cargo requiring maximum security and minimal handling, choose FTL service.

LTL and FTL are your main options for trucking your Alaska freight. However, Alaska freight also moves via air, ocean, and rail. Many Alaska businesses need a multi-modal approach to get their freight where it needs to go. Consider choosing an all-in-one provider that can offer you access to all Alaska freight modes—and coordinate all of them seamlessly. 

LTL freight service is popular with a wide range of Alaska businesses, including:

• Retail operators moving goods to distribution centers and stores
• Manufacturers shipping parts, materials, or components between suppliers, assembly plants, and distributors
• Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies transporting medical devices, equipment, and pharmaceuticals
• Automotive companies shipping parts, accessories, and equipment between suppliers, manufacturers, and dealerships.
• Construction companies using LTL shipping for their smaller shipments of materials, hardware, tools, and small equipment

Next, we’ll cover a few freight tips to ensure your Alaska LTL freight arrives quickly, efficiently—and safely.

Alaska LTL Freight Tip #1: Proper Packaging Is Critical

One of the disadvantages of moving freight LTL is the fact that it’s subject to more handling. Unlike FTL freight, which is loaded once and remains untouched until its destination, LTL freight may be shifted in the trailer as other shipments are loaded and unloaded around it.

Combine that with the long distances that Alaska freight travels, and you can quickly see why proper packaging matters. If possible, palletize your freight, so it can be easily loaded and unloaded with a forklift. This reduces manual handling, which also reduces the risk of damage.

Additionally, make sure to:

• Keep your freight within the boundaries of the pallet and avoid overhang
• Reinforce heavy loads with corner boards/edge protectors
• Secure your load to the pallet to prevent the load from shifting in transit

Some loads can benefit from crating. Small machinery, for example, enjoys better protection from a crate. Crating can also make your shipment stackable, which can mean lower costs for you.

The bottom line is this: When it comes to Alaska LTL freight, packaging is paramount. Give it the attention it deserves to minimize damage.

Alaska LTL Freight Tip #2: Plan for the Weather

If you’re experienced in shipping Alaska freight, you’re probably already aware that the summer months are the easiest time to move cargo. It’s a great time for businesses to stock up on inventory and prepare for the winter season. It can also be a busy time, so make sure to book your freight early.

• Alaska’s extreme winters present plenty of challenges for over-the-road cargo. Snow and ice can make trucking difficult—especially for cargo coming over the ALCAN highway. Transporting cargo during the Alaska winter requires the right expertise and the right equipment. Choose your Alaska trucking provider carefully.

• Even spring breakup can impact Alaska freight timelines. Seasonal weight restrictions come into play, making skilled route planning essential to avoid supply chain interruptions.

Choosing an experienced Alaska trucking provider is crucial for keeping your Alaska business stocked year-round. An expert partner can assist with inventory planning to ensure you enter the winter months with the inventory and supplies to keep your business moving. The right partner can also assist with contingency planning in case of a particularly disruptive weather event.

Alaska LTL Freight Tip #3: Measure Your Freight Carefully

To book an LTL freight shipment, you’ll need to provide the exact dimensions of your freight—length, width, and height—and its weight. These measurements all contribute to your shipment’s freight class, which play a role in your shipment’s price.

Freight class is one way that carriers evaluate a shipment’s “transportability”—in other words, how easy or difficult it is for the carrier to transport it.

Transportability involves four elements:

• Density: How dense is the cargo? In other words, what’s its weight as compared to its volume? (That’s where those measurements come into play!)
• Stowability: What is the shipment’s size and shape? And how easy it for carriers to store it?
• Ease of Handling: What kind of care will the carrier need to move it?
• Liability: How valuable is the cargo? Is it susceptible to spoilage or damage? Attractive to theft?

On the basis of these elements, every commodity is given one of the standard 18 freight classes, which carriers use to quote LTL shipping costs.

If you’re new to LTL shipping, choosing the right freight class can be tricky. Your shipment’s National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) code can help you match your shipment with a freight class. An Alaska freight broker or freight forwarder can also assist you in determining the freight class of your cargo.

What does this all boil down to? An accurate LTL quote hinges on an accurate freight description, including its measurements and freight class. Any errors in this arena can mean delays—or reclassification of your freight, which can add to your cost. (We’ll cover that next!)

Alaska LTL Freight Tip #4: Understand Your Accessorials

Unexpected freight charges can seriously derail your bottom line. That’s why it’s important to understand LTL accessorial charges. 

Some accessorial charges are simply a part of doing business. For example, if your location doesn’t have a loading dock or ramp, you’ll need liftgate service—a truck equipped with a platform that lowers to the ground—to load/unload your freight. Carriers charge an accessorial fee for this service.

Accessorial charges really only become a problem when they’re unexpected—and you haven’t budgeted for them.

To help you keep your Alaska LTL freight costs down, let’s look at two common accessorial charges that tend to trip up shippers:

#1: Freight Reclassifications

Above, we talked about why it’s important to carefully describe and measure your freight to ensure you’ve got the right freight class for the commodity you’re shipping.

Your Alaska LTL freight carrier will double-check the freight class of your shipment. If yours isn’t correct, two things will happen: 1) your freight quote will be adjusted and 2) you’ll see an accessorial charge for reclassification on your invoice.

To prevent freight reclassification charges: Talk to your freight broker or freight forwarder when you’re quoting out your shipment. Confirm all the details of your cargo, including the freight class.

#2: Redelivery

Carriers charge for redelivery when they’re unable to drop cargo as scheduled. This might happen if no one is there to receive the freight—or if the carrier doesn’t have the necessary equipment to deliver through no fault of their own. For example, if the destination doesn’t have a loading dock, but you failed to specify this during the quoting process, the driver may not be able to safely unload your freight, triggering a redelivery.

To avoid unexpected redelivery charges, make sure to clarify the delivery schedule, confirm that someone will be available to receive the freight, and ensure that the carrier is aware of any access restrictions—up front.

Alaska LTL Freight Tip #5: Know Your Insurance Options

Alaska freight moves across long distances and rough terrain, often through challenging weather. To protect yourself in case of damage—or, in the worst case, complete cargo loss—consider insuring your Alaska LTL freight shipments.

Yes, carriers offer some liability coverage while shipments are in their care—but that coverage comes with a few restrictions:

• Covered damages or losses must be due to carrier negligence, and you’ll have to prove that the damage occurred while the freight was in the carrier’s possession. (In some cases, the carrier may try to argue that the freight was already damaged when they took possession.)

• Carrier financial liability for LTL freight shipments varies by freight class. Coverage ranges from $1-$25 per pound, which may be much less than the replacement value of your cargo.

For more complete coverage, talk to your freight broker or forwarder about full-value cargo insurance. It’s the best way to protect your Alaska cargo in transit.

Optimizing Your Alaska LTL Freight Movements

Now that you’ve got a good foundation in Alaska LTL shipments, your next move will be to streamline your LTL cargo operations.

If you’d like some expert help optimizing your Alaska LTL shipments, talk to our team. We can connect you with the Alaska freight solutions that keep your business moving forward, while saving you time and money. Just reach out for a complimentary quote to get started.