Ultimate Guide to Partial Truckload Shipping in Ontario (2026)

• Too large for LTL (over 5,000 lbs. or 6 linear feet) 
• Too small to justify a full truck (under 20,000 lbs. or 48 linear feet) 
• Fragile, high-value, or oversized freight that can't tolerate LTL's multiple handling points 

• LTL works well for small, palletized freight under 5,000 lbs. but becomes expensive and damage-prone for larger shipments 
• FTL is efficient for full loads but wasteful and expensive for shipments that don't fill a trailer 
• PTL serves the middle ground: large enough to benefit from direct routing, small enough to share costs with other shippers 

• Measure everything: Length, width, height of each piece
• Weigh accurately: Total shipment weight
• Identify special requirements: Fragile items, temperature sensitivity, hazmat, oversized
• Calculate linear feet: Total trailer space your freight will occupy 

• Day & Ross: Major Canadian carrier with strong Ontario PTL coverage
• Challenger Motor Freight: Ontario and cross-border PTL specialist
• Bison Transport: National PTL coverage including Ontario
• Mullen Trucking: Western and central Canada PTL
• GoGedit: Local and regional PTL-style delivery for furniture, appliances, and large items across Ontario 

• Linear feet or weight (whichever is greater)
• Origin and destination
• Freight type and special requirements
• Pickup and delivery dates
• Accessorial services (liftgate, inside delivery, etc.) 

• Package appropriately: Use proper packaging for your freight type
• Label clearly: All pieces should be clearly labelled with origin, destination, and contact information
• Prepare a Bill of Lading (BOL): Required for all freight shipments
• Photograph your freight: Document condition before pickup for insurance purposes 

• Carrier picks up your freight at the origin
• Freight is loaded into the trailer (often with one or two other shippers' freight)
• Shipment moves directly to destination with minimal terminal handling
• Delivery is made at the destination 

• Inspect freight upon delivery
• Note any damage on the delivery receipt before signing 
• File damage claims promptly if needed
• Retain all shipping documentation 

1. Your freight is picked up and taken to an origin terminal
2. At the terminal, it's sorted and consolidated with other shippers' freight
3. The consolidated load moves to a hub terminal
4. At the hub, freight is sorted again and moved to a destination terminal
5. At the destination terminal, freight is sorted and loaded for final delivery
6. Delivery is made to your destination This process involves 3–6 handling points, each one a damage risk. 

When PTL Beats LTL on Cost 

• Base rate
• Accessorial charges
• Damage claims
• Time cost of slower transit 

• Rate per linear foot of trailer space 
• Typical Ontario rates: $50–$120 per linear foot 

• Rate per hundredweight (cwt) or per pound 
• Typical Ontario rates: $0.05–$0.15 per lbs. 

• Fixed rate for specific origin-destination pairs
• Available for regular shippers with established carrier relationships
• Most cost-effective for predictable, recurring shipments 

1. Distance: Longer hauls cost more, but rate per km decreases with distance
2. Freight density: Denser freight (more weight per linear foot) may qualify for lower rates
3. Seasonality: Rates peak in spring/summer and holiday season; lowest in January–February
4. Carrier capacity: Tight capacity markets push rates up; loose markets bring them down
5. Fuel surcharges: Typically 10–20% of base rate, fluctuates with diesel prices
6. Accessorial: Liftgate, inside delivery, residential delivery add cost
7. Lead time: Short-notice bookings often cost more than planned shipments 

• Ship mid-week: Tuesday–Thursday rates are typically 5–10% lower 
• Book in advance: 3–5 days lead time often secures better rates
• Consolidate shipments: Combine multiple smaller shipments into one PTL load
• Negotiate flat rates: Regular shippers can negotiate volume discounts
• Minimize accessorial: Avoid liftgate and inside delivery charges where possible
• Accurate measurements: Avoid reclassification charges from inaccurate freight dimensions 

• Large and bulky: Typically 6–18 linear feet per shipment
• Fragile: Sofas, dining sets, and bedroom furniture are easily damaged in LTL handling
• High-value: Damage claims are costly; PTL's lower damage rate saves money
• Customer-facing: Damaged furniture creates customer service problems 

• Must remain upright: Fridges, washers, and dryers must be transported upright to prevent compressor damage
• Heavy: Appliances are dense freight that often exceeds LTL weight limits
• Fragile: Stainless steel surfaces scratch easily; glass components break
• High-value: A damaged fridge or range is a $500–$3,000 loss 

• Oversized: Lumber, drywall, and flooring often exceed LTL size limits
• Heavy: Building materials are dense and heavy
• Time-sensitive: Construction schedules depend on material delivery
• Bulk shipments: Construction projects often require 5,000–20,000 lbs. of materials 

• Heavy and dense: Industrial equipment is often 5,000–20,000 lbs.
• Fragile: Precision equipment can't tolerate rough handling
• High-value: Equipment worth $10,000–$100,000 requires careful handling
• Oversized: Industrial equipment often exceeds LTL size limits 

• Customer expectations: E-commerce customers expect fast, damage-free delivery
• Return costs: Damaged items result in costly returns and replacements 
• Competitive differentiation: Reliable delivery is a competitive advantage
• Scaling: As order volume grows, PTL becomes more cost-effective 

• Regular shipments: Predictable volume enables flat-rate PTL agreements
• Mixed freight: PTL accommodates mixed loads of different product types
• Time-sensitive: Store replenishment has strict delivery windows
• Multi-stop: PTL carriers can accommodate multi-stop deliveries 

• Dense urban corridor: The Toronto-Hamilton-Kitchener-Waterloo corridor is one of North America's densest freight corridors. PTL carriers have strong capacity in this region. 
• Manufacturing base: Ontario's manufacturing sector automotive, food processing, industrial equipment generates significant PTL freight. 
• Retail concentration: Ontario's large retail market creates consistent demand for furniture, appliance, and consumer goods PTL shipments. 
• Cross-border trade: Ontario's proximity to the US border makes it a hub for cross-border PTL shipments. 

1. Furniture retailer shipping to customer homes: 2–4 pieces of furniture, 8–12 linear feet
2. Appliance dealer delivering to contractor: 3–5 appliances, 10–15 linear feet
3. Manufacturer shipping to distributor: 5,000–15,000 lbs. of product
4. Retailer replenishing store inventory: 8–16 pallets, 10–18 linear feet
5. E-commerce business fulfilling large orders: Multiple large items, 6–12 linear feet 

• Automated matching: Algorithms match loads with available trucks based on location, size, and timing
• Real-time pricing: Dynamic pricing based on current supply and demand
• Carrier vetting: Platforms pre-vet carriers for safety ratings and insurance
• Tracking: Real-time shipment tracking through the platform 

• Safety record: Check CVOR (Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration) ratings for Ontario carriers. A clean safety record indicates professional operations. 
• Insurance coverage: Minimum $1 million cargo insurance for most PTL shipments. Higher for high-value freight. 
• Equipment: Confirm the carrier has appropriate equipment for your freight type (dry van, flatbed, temperature-controlled, etc.). 
• References: Ask for references from shippers with similar freight types and lanes. 
• Technology: Tracking capabilities, EDI integration, and online booking are indicators of a modern, professional carrier. 

1.  Request a delivery online or through the app
2. Describe your items (size, weight, special requirements)
3. Enter pickup and delivery addresses
4. Choose your preferred delivery window
5. A vetted GoGedit driver is matched to your delivery
6. Track your delivery in real-time
7. Delivery is completed, you receive confirmation 

1. Register as a GoGedit driver or fleet partner 
2. Set your availability and service area
3. Receive delivery requests that match your vehicle and location
4. Accept deliveries that fit your schedule
5. Complete deliveries and earn per-delivery income
6. Build a reliable income stream from your existing truck capacity 

• Same-day availability: No waiting for carrier capacity
• Transparent pricing: Flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
• Professional handling: Vetted drivers with proper equipment
• Ontario coverage: All major Ontario cities and regions
• No freight class complexity: Simple, straightforward booking 

• Fill empty miles: Turn deadhead miles into revenue
• Flexible schedule: Accept deliveries that fit your schedule
• Consistent income: Regular delivery opportunities
• No sales effort: GoGedit handles shipper acquisition
• Technology support: App-based dispatch and tracking 

Become a GoGedit Fleet Partner 

• Earn per delivery: Competitive per-delivery rates
• Fill empty capacity: Use existing trucks and drivers
• Flexible commitment: No minimum volume requirements
• Growth opportunity: Scale up as your GoGedit volume grows 

1.  Audit your freight: Identify which shipments are PTL candidates (5,000–20,000 lbs., fragile, or oversized)
2. Establish carrier relationships: Build relationships with 2–3 PTL carriers for your key lanes
3. Develop decision criteria: Create clear rules for when to use PTL vs LTL vs FTL
4. Track performance: Monitor transit times, damage rates, and costs to optimize over time
5. Negotiate volume rates: As your PTL volume grows, negotiate flat rates with preferred carriers