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SRTRUCKING

LTL Services

Since 1992

Trusted in freight

In-House Fleet

No subcontractors

24/7 Dispatch

Round-the-clock support

Cross-Border

Canada & USA coverage

Quick Answer:

What Is LTL Shipping?

Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping is a freight transportation method where multiple shippers share space on a single truck. Instead of paying for an entire trailer, you only pay for the portion your shipment occupies. This makes LTL one of the most cost-effective solutions for businesses shipping palletized freight that does not require a full 53-foot trailer.

At S&R Trucking, our LTL services are built for businesses across Ontario and North America that need reliable, affordable freight movement without committing to full truckload volumes. Whether you are shipping 1 pallet or 12, we handle pickups, cross-docking, and final delivery with the same care as a dedicated shipment.

Our LTL service covers:

  • ✔ Palletized freight (1 to 12 pallets)
  • ✔ Ontario local and regional deliveries
  • ✔ Cross-border Canada-US shipments
  • ✔ Cross-docking and consolidation
  • ✔ Liftgate and residential delivery
  • ✔ No dock fees or hidden surcharges

LTL vs. Full Truckload (FTL)

Understanding when to use LTL versus FTL helps you make smarter shipping decisions.

Feature LTL FTL
Shipment Size 1 to 12 pallets (150 to 15,000 lbs) Full trailer (15,000+ lbs)
Cost Pay per pallet or weight class Flat rate for entire trailer
Transit Time 2 to 5 business days (hub-and-spoke) 1 to 3 business days (direct)
Handling Multiple touches at terminals Loaded once, delivered direct
Best For Small to mid-size shipments Large or time-sensitive loads

If your freight does not fill a trailer, LTL is almost always the smarter financial choice. You share truck space with other shippers and split the transportation cost proportionally.

Key LTL Terms, Defined

Freight Class

The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system assigns a class (50 to 500) based on density, handling, stowability, and liability. Your freight class directly affects your LTL rate.

Bill of Lading (BOL)

The primary shipping document that travels with your freight. It details the shipper, consignee, commodity description, weight, and freight class.

Cross-Docking

The process of transferring freight between trucks at an intermediate terminal (a key part of our drayage services) without long-term storage. This is how LTL carriers consolidate shipments for efficient routing.

Accessorial Charges

Additional fees for services beyond standard dock-to-dock delivery. Common accessorials include liftgate service, inside delivery, residential delivery, and limited-access locations.

Dock Fees

Terminal handling charges that some carriers pass on to shippers. At S&R Trucking, we cover dock fees so our customers face no surprise costs.

Compare With Full Truckload

How LTL Shipping Works

Understanding the LTL process helps you plan shipments and set delivery expectations. Here is how a typical LTL shipment moves through our network:

  • Quote & Booking: You request a quote based on freight dimensions, weight, class, and destination. We provide competitive rates with no hidden fees.
  • Pickup: Our driver arrives at your dock or location to collect your palletized freight. We handle both dock-height and ground-level pickups.
  • Consolidation: Your shipment is brought to our terminal and consolidated with other freight heading in the same direction.
  • Linehaul: The consolidated load moves via our linehaul network to the destination terminal closest to the delivery address.
  • Last-Mile Delivery: At the destination terminal, your freight is loaded onto a local delivery truck and delivered to the consignee.
  • Proof of Delivery: The receiver signs the BOL, confirming delivery. You receive confirmation and documentation.

No handoff to a subcontractor at any point, since every step above is run by S&R’s own fleet.

Request Your LTL Quote

Documents You Need for an LTL Shipment

  • ✔ Bill of Lading (BOL): Required for every shipment. Include accurate weight, dimensions, commodity description, and NMFC class.
  • ✔ Commercial Invoice: Required for cross-border shipments between Canada and the United States.
  • ✔ Customs Documentation: PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System) for imports into Canada or PAPS (Pre-Arrival Processing System) for exports to the US.
  • ✔ Packing List: Detailed list of contents, quantities, and handling instructions.
  • ✔ Certificate of Origin: May be required under CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) for duty-free treatment on cross-border moves.

What Affects LTL Pricing in Ontario

LTL rates are not one-size-fits-all. Several factors determine your final cost:

  • ✔ Freight Class: Higher-class items (fragile, low-density, or hazardous) cost more to ship than dense, easy-to-handle freight.
  • ✔ Weight & Dimensions: Actual weight and cubic dimensions determine how much trailer space your shipment uses.
  • ✔ Distance: Longer lanes cost more, though rates per mile typically decrease with distance.
  • ✔ Accessorials: Liftgate, residential delivery, appointment scheduling, and inside delivery each add to the base rate.
  • ✔ Fuel Surcharge: A variable percentage tied to current diesel fuel prices, applied to all LTL shipments.
  • ✔ Density: Carriers increasingly price based on cubic capacity. Lightweight, bulky shipments may be re-classed to reflect the space they consume.
Get Your Custom LTL Rate

Our LTL Network & Coverage

S&R Trucking operates a comprehensive LTL network with coverage across Ontario, Canada, and into the United States. Our terminal in Kleinburg, Ontario serves as the central hub for all GTA-origin and GTA-destined freight.

Ontario Coverage

We provide daily LTL pickups and deliveries throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Hamilton, Niagara, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Ottawa, and all points in between. Our local knowledge means faster transit times and fewer handling errors for shipments within the province.

Cross-Border & Long-Haul

For shipments moving between Canada and the United States, we handle customs brokerage coordination, PARS/PAPS processing, and cross-border documentation. Our network extends to major markets including Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the US Midwest.

Why Choose S&R Trucking for LTL?

No Dock Fees

We absorb terminal handling charges so you never face surprise costs on your invoice. The rate we quote is the rate you pay. Contact us for a transparent quote.

In-House Fleet

Every pickup and delivery is handled by our own drivers in our own trucks. No third-party carriers, no finger-pointing when issues arise.

24/7 Dispatch

Our dispatch team is available around the clock. Whether you need an urgent pickup or a status update at midnight, we are here.

Competitive Pricing

Our rates are consistently below major LTL carriers because we operate our own fleet and terminals, cutting out the middleman markup.

Cross-Border Expertise

We handle Canada-US customs documentation, brokerage coordination, and compliance so your cross-border LTL shipments clear without delays.

Timely Deliveries

Our on-time delivery rate exceeds 95%. We plan routes efficiently and communicate proactively if any delays arise.

Industries We Serve

S&R supports businesses across multiple sectors that rely on reliable, cost-effective LTL freight solutions.

Retail & eCommerce

Manufacturing

Food & Beverage

Importers & Exporters

Warehousing & Distribution

Automotive

Consumer Goods

Cross-border Freight

Service Area

Our LTL service area covers:

Greater Toronto Area

Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa

Southwestern Ontario

Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, London, Windsor

Eastern Ontario

Ottawa, Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough, Barrie, Orillia

Northern Ontario

Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie (scheduled service)

Cross-Border US

Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and the broader US Midwest

Key Takeaways

  • LTL shipping lets you pay only for the trailer space you use, making it ideal for shipments under 15,000 lbs.
  • S&R Trucking covers dock fees and terminal charges, eliminating surprise costs.
  • Our in-house fleet and 24/7 dispatch ensure consistent service quality without subcontractor variability.
  • Cross-border LTL between Canada and the US is fully supported with customs documentation handling.
  • Competitive pricing, a 95%+ on-time rate, and service across Ontario and North America.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more details about our LTL, full truckload, and container transportation services, see the answers below.

There is no strict minimum, but LTL is most cost-effective for shipments of at least one pallet (typically 150 lbs or more). For smaller parcels, a courier service may be more economical.
Transit times depend on distance and routing. Within Ontario, most LTL shipments deliver in 1 to 3 business days. Cross-border and long-haul shipments typically take 3 to 5 business days.
Yes. We provide liftgate service for locations without a loading dock and residential delivery for home-based businesses. These are quoted as accessorial charges upfront so there are no surprises.
Call us at +1 905-951-2951 or fill out our online consultation form. We need the origin, destination, weight, dimensions, and freight class to provide an accurate quote.
Yes. We coordinate customs brokerage and handle all PARS/PAPS documentation for Canada-US cross-border LTL freight. Your shipment clears customs without you needing to manage the paperwork.
All LTL shipments are covered under our cargo insurance. If damage occurs, file a claim with your Bill of Lading and photos of the damage. We process claims promptly and fairly.
Yes. Contact our dispatch team at any time for a real-time status update on your shipment. We provide proactive notifications for pickups, in-transit milestones, and delivery confirmations.
No. S&R Trucking absorbs dock fees and terminal handling charges. The quoted rate is the rate you pay, with no hidden surcharges.
Visit Our FAQ Page

Related Services

Explore more of S&R Trucking’s Ontario freight and transportation services:

Drayage
Container Transportation
Full Truckload (FTL)
Partial Load Solutions
Flatbed Services
Storage Facility

Ready to Ship Your Freight?

Get a free LTL quote from S&R Trucking. No dock fees, no hidden charges, just reliable freight service across Ontario and North America.

Call +1 905-951-2951
or request a free quote online
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