Reefer LTL vs. Reefer STL – Why Dedicated is Better

Someone may say that choosing between refrigerated LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) and refrigerated STL (Small-Truckload) might seem like a choice between lower cost and faster delivery. However, at Reefer Van Network, we believe STL offers the best of both worlds for all small temperature-sensitive shipments. Utilizing smaller commercial reefers, STL provides the ideal combination of temperature control, reliability, safety, and speed, ensuring your perishables are delivered from point A to point B in the shortest time possible, with costs only slightly higher than LTL.

Understanding Reefer LTL

Reefer LTL, or Less-Than-Truckload, is a shipping method where refrigerated cargo from multiple customers is consolidated into one truck. This allows shippers to share transportation costs by utilizing the available space more efficiently, each occupying only a portion of the truck’s capacity.

At the core of the LTL method is the principle of gathering various smaller shipments. The logistics provider keeps the temperature under control throughout the journey, maintaining adequate shipping conditions for all temperature-sensitive goods in the trailer. It is a cost-effective solution for businesses that do not require a full truckload for their products and are unrestricted by strict timelines. 

Reefer LTL is widely used throughout numerous industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and many more. The food industry, for example, frequently uses LTL to transport perishable goods such as dairy products, meat, fruits, and vegetables. Pharmaceutical companies also benefit from Reefer LTL, which transports medications and vaccines that require consistent temperature control to maintain efficacy. And so does the cosmetics industry, relying on Reefer LTL to ship products like creams and serums that heat can damage.

Challenges of Shipping Reefer LTL

While cost-effective and practical for many businesses, shipping with Reefer LTL presents numerous challenges, often nullifying its advantages.

Temperature control issues

Due to multiple stops and the sharing of loads, there can be potential for temperature fluctuations. Each time the truck door opens for loading or unloading, the internal temperature is at risk of being affected, compromising the quality of the temperature-sensitive goods inside. In some cases, even a tiny temperature deviation can lead to spoilage of highly sensitive items like pharmaceuticals and perishable foods.

Extended delivery times

For obvious reasons, Reefer LTL shipments typically take longer to reach their destinations. The truck has to make multiple stops to pick up and deliver different shipments, and if you’re not lucky enough to have your shipment listed on the top of the delivery list, you’re running a risk of missing the estimated delivery time. This trade-off makes LTL absolutely unsuitable for urgent shipments.

Increased risk of contamination

Sharing truck space with other goods is a good idea for saving costs, but it is entirely inefficient for preventing cross-contamination, especially if the shipments vary in type. The risk of cross-contamination increases dramatically when the goods are improperly packaged, or the temperature control system fails. 

Handling and damage risks

Multiple loadings, unloadings, and repositioning inside the trailer’s space increase the likelihood of damage to the products. Delicate items can suffer from repeated handling, leading to nothing but potential losses for the shipper.

Lack of flexibility in scheduling

LTL shipping operates on fixed schedules, which might not align with specific or urgent shipping needs. Businesses with tight delivery windows may find this inflexibility challenging, as they cannot dictate the precise timing of their shipments.

Benefits of Dedicated Reefer STL

Dedicated Reefer STL (Small-Truckload) offers numerous advantages over Reefer LTL, addressing the needs of businesses looking for fast, reliable, and efficient temperature-controlled transportation.

Exclusive use of the truck

When you book a dedicated Reefer STL service, you hire the entire truck’s space for your shipment alone. This exclusivity benefits precise temperature control without the risk of temperature fluctuations that can occur with shared loads, as there is no need to accommodate the requirements of other loads.

Faster delivery times

Dedicated Reefer STL trucks follow direct routes from the pickup location to the delivery destination without making multiple stops along the way. This streamlined process significantly cuts transit time, allowing businesses dealing with perishable goods to meet strict timelines.

Reduced risk of contamination

Since the truck space is not shared with other goods, the potential for cross-contamination is minimized. Industries, such as pharmaceuticals and food, where any contamination often has severe consequences, can rely on dedicated STL to ensure a cleaner and safer environment for transporting their sensitive products.

Enhanced safety and security

Fewer touchpoints during transit mean a lower risk of damage to the goods. Dedicated trucks minimize this risk by reducing the number of times the goods are moved. The security of the shipment is also improved as there are fewer opportunities for theft, a concern that is more prevalent in LTL shipping with its multiple stops and transfers.

Flexibility and reliability

Dedicated Reefer STL services offer customizable schedules and routes tailored to specific shipping needs, providing a level of flexibility that LTL shipping can never meet. Businesses can plan their shipments according to their unique requirements, ensuring that their products arrive exactly when and where they need them.

Why Choose Reefer Van Network

Reefer Van Network (RVN) is synonymous with the highest standards of safety, reliability, and efficiency. As a leading provider of temperature-controlled transportation services in North America, we provide several game-changing advantages, streamlining logistics across industries. 

Comprehensive nationwide coverage

RVN’s extensive reach ensures fast and reliable temperature-controlled delivery across the United States. Whether you need to ship perishables from coast to coast or to remote locations, RVN’s network has you covered.

Fleet’s variability 

RVN’s fleet includes cargo vans, box trucks, and straight trucks, catering to different shipping needs. We provide tailored solutions for shipments of all sizes and types, ensuring that each product is transported in the most suitable vehicle, no matter the shipping volume and requirements.

24/7 support

Advanced real-time tracking and temperature monitoring are at your disposal 24/7. Around-the-clock operations support ensures that any issues are promptly addressed, and customers have peace of mind knowing their shipments are constantly monitored. The real-time tracking feature allows businesses to keep an eye on their shipments throughout the journey for the ultimate transparency and reliability.

Tailored solutions

At RVN, we understand that each client has unique shipping needs and offer customized solutions to meet those specific requirements. Every shipment is handled with the utmost care and efficiency, guaranteeing next-level safety and integrity of temperature-sensitive products.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shipping method for temperature-sensitive goods can become that game-changing factor, allowing you to maintain excellent product integrity and meet delivery timelines. By choosing Reefer STL over LTL, you’ll obtain significant advantages, including exclusive use, faster delivery times, reduced contamination risks, enhanced safety, and greater flexibility. 

For those seeking a trusted partner in temperature-controlled shipping, Reefer Van Network provides a blend of winning advantages, including our comprehensive coverage, diverse fleet, 24/7 support, and tailored solutions. Choose RVN’s reefer STL for your next shipment and enjoy the highest level of care and precision you deserve.

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