Full Truckload (FTL) Shipping
Dedicated trailers, direct routes, and zero freight handling between pickup and delivery. The fastest, most secure way to move large shipments across the country.
What is FTL Shipping?
Full Truckload (FTL) shipping means your freight gets an entire trailer dedicated exclusively to your shipment. Unlike LTL, your cargo is the only freight on the truck — it moves directly from origin to destination with no stops, no transfers, and no rehandling at terminals.
FTL is the ideal solution when your shipment is large enough to fill a significant portion of a trailer, typically 10,000 lbs or more, or 10+ pallets. Even if your freight doesn't fill the entire trailer, FTL can still be more cost-effective and faster than LTL for shipments approaching these thresholds.
With SwiftLink's FTL service, you get a dedicated driver, a guaranteed pickup window, and point-to-point delivery with real-time GPS tracking from dispatch to final delivery.
When to Choose FTL
- Shipments weighing 10,000 – 45,000 lbs
- Freight filling 10 or more standard pallets (48"x40")
- High-value or fragile goods requiring minimal handling
- Time-sensitive deliveries that can't afford terminal delays
- Temperature-controlled, hazmat, or specialty freight
- Consistent, high-volume shipping lanes requiring dedicated capacity
FTL Trailer Types We Offer
From standard dry vans to specialty flatbeds and temperature-controlled reefers, we match the right equipment to your freight requirements.
Dry Van
The most common trailer type in North America. Fully enclosed with rigid walls, roof, and floor to protect freight from the elements.
- Interior: 53' L x 8'6" W x 9' H
- Max payload: 45,000 lbs
- Capacity: 26 standard pallets
- ~2,390 cubic feet of space
Ideal for: General merchandise, consumer goods, packaged food, electronics, retail inventory
Flatbed
Open-deck trailer with no sides, roof, or enclosure. Allows top, side, and rear loading with cranes, forklifts, or other heavy equipment.
- Deck: 48' L x 8'6" W, 60" height
- Max payload: 48,000 lbs
- Max freight height: 8'6"
- Securement: chains, straps, tarps
Ideal for: Steel coils, lumber, machinery, construction materials, oversized equipment
Reefer / Refrigerated
Temperature-controlled trailers equipped with built-in refrigeration units. Maintains precise temperatures from -20°F to 70°F throughout transit.
- Interior: 53' L x 8'2" W x 8'6" H
- Max payload: 40,000 – 44,000 lbs
- Temp range: -20°F to 70°F
- Capacity: 22–24 pallets
Ideal for: Produce, frozen foods, dairy, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, floral
Step Deck (Drop Deck)
A two-level flatbed with an upper deck and a lower deck, providing additional vertical clearance for taller freight that won't fit on a standard flatbed.
- Upper: 11' L / Lower: 37' L
- Max payload: 43,000 – 48,000 lbs
- Max freight height: 10' (lower deck)
- No ramp needed for lower deck
Ideal for: Tall machinery, agricultural equipment, industrial components, vehicles
Conestoga
A flatbed trailer with a retractable tarpaulin system that slides open for side or top loading, then closes to provide full weather protection like a dry van.
- Deck: 48' L x 8'6" W
- Max payload: 44,000 – 46,000 lbs
- Full weather protection
- Side-loading capable
Ideal for: Building materials, metal products, freight requiring weather protection + crane loading
Power Only
We provide the tractor and driver while you supply the trailer. Perfect for shippers with their own trailer pool who need reliable drivers and capacity on demand.
- Tractor + driver supplied by SwiftLink
- Your trailer, our horsepower
- Flexible scheduling
- Reduced equipment costs
Ideal for: Companies with trailer pools, drop-and-hook operations, seasonal overflow
Benefits of FTL Shipping
Full truckload shipping delivers measurable advantages in speed, security, and cost-efficiency for large-volume shippers.
Faster Transit Times
Direct point-to-point delivery with no terminal stops, no freight consolidation, and no hub transfers. Your shipment moves straight from origin to destination.
Reduced Damage Risk
Your freight is loaded once and unloaded once. With no cross-docking, rehandling, or pallet reorganization, the risk of damage or loss drops significantly.
Cost-Effective at Scale
FTL pricing is based on a flat per-mile rate rather than per-pallet or per-hundredweight. For shipments over 10,000 lbs, FTL often costs less than equivalent LTL rates.
Dedicated Capacity
The entire trailer is reserved exclusively for your freight. No sharing space, no competing for capacity, and no risk of bumped shipments during peak season.
Flexible Scheduling
Choose your pickup date and time. Need an early morning, evening, or weekend pickup? FTL gives you full control over your shipping schedule and delivery appointments.
Real-Time Visibility
GPS tracking on every load with automated check-calls, milestone updates, and ETA notifications. Know exactly where your freight is at every moment.
Industries We Serve
SwiftLink moves full truckload freight for companies across the most demanding industry verticals in the United States.
Manufacturing
Raw materials inbound, finished goods outbound. JIT delivery to production lines and distribution centers.
Retail & E-Commerce
Fulfillment center replenishment, seasonal inventory surges, and store-to-DC transfers at scale.
Automotive
OEM parts, assemblies, and aftermarket components with strict delivery windows and sequence requirements.
Food & Beverage
Reefer and dry van for perishables, frozen goods, and ambient-temp beverages. FSMA-compliant carriers.
Construction
Flatbed and step deck for steel, lumber, heavy equipment, and building materials to job sites nationwide.
Ready to Ship Full Truckload?
Tell us your origin, destination, and freight details. Our FTL specialists will provide a competitive rate within minutes — not hours.
Average response time: under 15 minutes during business hours