Partial Truckload (PTL) for Cottage Closing: The Smart Middle Between LTL and FTL

Partial truckload (PTL) reserves a portion of a truck for your freight, typically 6 to 12 pallets or 8 to 20 linear feet. It sits between LTL shipping and full truckload (FTL), giving you fewer handling touches than LTL at a lower price than a dedicated truck.

LTL vs PTL vs FTL Compared

| Feature | LTL | PTL | FTL | |---|---|---|---| | Space used | 1 to 6 pallets | 6 to 12 pallets | Full truck | | Terminal stops | Several | Few or none | None | | Price per pallet | Highest | Mid | Lowest at volume | | Damage risk | Higher | Lower | Lowest | | Transit speed | Slowest | Moderate | Fastest |

When PTL Works for a Cottage

- A furnished main floor plus patio set - Two or three appliances plus boxed kitchen and linens - Dock sections and outdoor storage boxes - Shared loads with a neighbouring cottage

Shared Trucks With Neighbours

On many lakes, two or three owners can split a truck headed to the same city. PTL makes that possible, and each household pays only for its footprint.

How to Quote PTL

Share pallet count, linear feet, weights, pickup address and delivery city. Confirm whether the driver loads or you do. Learn more about PTL in our [answers section](/answers/what-is-partial-truckload-shipping), then [request a quote](/get-a-quote).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PTL cheaper than FTL?

For 6 to 12 pallets, usually yes.

Is PTL cheaper than LTL?

Often cheaper per pallet once you pass about 5 pallets.

Can neighbours share a PTL load?

Yes, as long as pickups and drop-offs are close together.