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Full Truckload (FTL) Shipping

Full Truckload Freight Services

Cowtown Logistics arranges full truckload (FTL) freight services when your freight fills most or all of a trailer, needs dedicated capacity, or benefits from fewer handling points. Share your shipment details to match equipment, pickup timing, and delivery requirements.

Request a Truckload Quote

Is FTL right for your shipment?

Dedicated Capacity, Matched to Your Freight

Consider FTL when timing, freight protection, or delivery requirements make shared LTL capacity less suitable. The right choice depends on the load and the lane.
Confirm trailer fit, loading access, and handling needs
For a quote: share your lane, freight details, and schedule
A photograph of a semi truck driving on a 2-lane road in autumn.

Choose the right shipping mode

When Does Full Truckload Shipping Make Sense?

Reserve trailer capacity for your shipment when space, handling, or delivery needs call for a dedicated move. Cowtown Logistics arranges full truckload freight across the United States; confirm capacity and service availability for your specific lane.

FTL can be a fit when:

  • Your freight fills most or all of a trailer.
  • Your shipment needs dedicated capacity, even if the trailer is not full.
  • You want fewer handling points between pickup and delivery.
  • Timing, freight protection, or delivery requirements make shared LTL less suitable.

Compare LTL freight shipping for smaller shipments that can share capacity. Transit time, cost, and freight protection depend on the equipment, lane, loading plan, and agreed service requirements.

FTL equipment and shipment fit

Match Your Freight to the Right Trailer

Cowtown arranges these equipment options through its carrier network. Share dimensions, weight, loading access, and any temperature or weather-protection needs so the team can confirm fit and availability for your lane and date. Explore all truckload equipment options.

Dry Van

For palletized or packaged freight that needs an enclosed trailer without temperature control. Confirm loaded dimensions, total weight, and dock access.

Flatbed

For machinery, building materials, and other freight requiring side or overhead loading. Discuss securement, tarping, and loading equipment.

Conestoga

For freight needing side or overhead loading with a retractable tarp system for weather protection. Confirm loaded dimensions, weight, loading method, and weather-protection requirements so Cowtown can verify equipment fit and availability.

Reefer

For temperature-sensitive freight requiring a refrigerated trailer. Provide the commodity, required temperature range, and loading and delivery procedures.

Step Deck

For taller equipment or freight that benefits from a lower deck than a standard flatbed. Loaded dimensions and route requirements determine suitability.

Double Drop

For tall machinery or specialized freight needing a low deck. Share exact dimensions, weight, and loading method for equipment and route review.
Semi trucks with enclosed trailers parked at a freight facility

Prepare your truckload quote

What to Send for an FTL Freight Quote

These details help Cowtown review equipment fit, capacity, and the service required for your shipment.

  • Pickup and delivery locations: cities, states, ZIP codes, and facility access.
  • Commodity description: what you are shipping and how it is packaged.
  • Pallet count or dimensions: include loaded length, width, height, and stackability where applicable.
  • Total weight: include packaging and any individual heavy pieces.
  • Equipment requirements: trailer type, temperature control, tarping, or loading equipment.
  • Pickup date: include the available loading window.
  • Delivery appointment or special handling needs: note appointments, site restrictions, and handling instructions.

Unsure which trailer to request? Include what you know so the team can help assess the fit.

Request a Truckload Quote

What Affects Full Truckload Rates?

A truckload quote reflects the lane, available capacity, and the requirements of the load. These factors help explain why quotes can differ for similar shipments.

Distance and lane

Pickup and delivery locations, route distance, and facility access affect the move.

Lane capacity and balance

The balance of freight demand and available trucks matters. Headhaul lanes with stronger demand and backhaul lanes with more returning capacity can price differently.

Seasonality and market conditions

Seasonal demand and changes in available capacity can affect rates for the same lane.

Lead time

Pickup flexibility and the time available to arrange capacity influence the options available.

Fuel

Fuel costs and any applicable fuel surcharge contribute to the quote.

Equipment type

Reefer requirements, flatbed tarping, and specialized drop-deck equipment can affect cost and availability.

Accessorials

Discuss accessorials such as appointments, detention, liftgate service, tarping, and permits when applicable; confirm which charges apply and are included in the quote.

A photograph of a semi truck hauling metal rods on a flatbed trailer.

FTL Commodities

Truckload Support for Your Commodity

The freight itself helps determine trailer choice, securement, and loading requirements.

Cowtown coordinates truckload moves for construction equipment, conveyor systems, pumps, and other industrial or packaged freight.

Tell us whether your freight is fragile, temperature-sensitive, unusually tall or heavy, or needs special loading access. The team can assess whether standard truckload equipment or heavy haul support is appropriate.

For freight that exceeds standard dimensions, explore oversized shipping. Temperature-sensitive loads may need refrigerated freight service, while hazardous materials require shipment-specific review through our hazmat shipping service.

If timing is the main constraint, discuss expedited freight options so the team can assess your pickup and delivery requirements.

For more detail on preparing specific commodities, these optional guides cover:

Learn more about commodities we ship /commodities/ Learn more button.

Why Choose Cowtown Logistics FTL Service

Work with a freight brokerage team that coordinates equipment requirements, carrier communication, and shipment details.

Direct Communication

Our team coordinates carrier communication and shipment details, helping resolve questions during the shipping process.

Supply Chain Support

We do more than cover trucks. We support cross-docking, warehousing coordination, and expedited recovery when plans change.

Equipment Matched to the Load

Our logistics specialists review your freight profile, lane, and schedule to help match the shipment with an appropriate truckload option.

Planning your full truckload shipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in FTL freight service?

FTL reserves trailer capacity for your shipment. Cowtown coordinates equipment selection, carrier capacity, pickup and delivery details, and shipment communication. The quote defines the agreed service; request confirmation of any loading assistance, tarping, temperature control, permits, or other additional requirements.

When should I use FTL instead of LTL?

Consider FTL when your freight fills most or all of a trailer, requires dedicated capacity, or benefits from fewer handling points. Timing, protection, and delivery requirements can also make shared capacity less suitable. For smaller loads, compare LTL freight shipping based on the shipment and lane.

What information is needed for a truckload quote?

Share your lane, freight details, and schedule using the FTL quote checklist.

What equipment is available for full truckload shipping?

Cowtown arranges dry van, flatbed, Conestoga, and reefer trailers, along with specialized options such as step decks and double drops. Equipment fit and availability depend on the freight, lane, and requested date. Review the equipment options and share your shipment details for confirmation.

How does freight type affect the right trailer choice?

Packaged goods may suit a dry van; temperature-sensitive freight may need a reefer. Freight requiring side or overhead loading may suit a flatbed or Conestoga, depending on weather-protection needs and dimensions. Taller machinery may call for a step deck or double drop. Weight, securement, loading access, and route requirements also influence the choice.

Does my shipment have to fill the entire trailer?

No. Full truckload service reserves trailer capacity for your shipment, even when some space remains unused. Dedicated capacity may suit freight with specific handling, protection, or delivery requirements. For mid-sized shipments that can share capacity, compare partial truckload as an alternative.

What affects the cost of a full truckload shipment?

Full truckload rates depend on the lane and distance, available capacity and lane balance, seasonality, market conditions, lead time, fuel, and equipment requirements. Appointments, detention, liftgate service, tarping, permits, and other applicable accessorials can also affect the quote. Cowtown quotes based on the specific shipment and agreed services.

Can I request a quote before choosing a trailer?

Yes. Describe the freight and how it will be loaded and unloaded so Cowtown can help assess equipment fit and availability.

Read our shipping guides

Plan the Details of Your Truckload Shipment

Use these guides if you need more detail before requesting a quote. You can also send your shipment information directly to Cowtown for review.

What Is FTL Shipping?

Understand dedicated trailer capacity and when a full truckload can fit your shipment.

FTL vs. LTL Freight

Compare shared and dedicated capacity based on the shipment and handling needs.

Freight Accessorials

Identify appointments, waiting time, and additional services that can affect a quote.
MC 900645-B • USDOT 2579786

Customer Testimonials

"We have used Cowtown Logistics several times to move pallets between our warehouses in Dallas and Fort Worth. They have always delivered on-time and as expected. We are very pleased and wholeheartedly recommend their services."

DF
Darren F.
Customer

"Man, was I in a bind last month. I am a sales person for a packaged food company and I had to receive about 150 cases of product, divvy it all up, and then ship it out to 70 different locations. I was in a panic until I called Cowtown Logistics. They were so nice and agreed to receive the product, divide it up, and ship it out for me."

BP
Bridget P.
Packaged food customer

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Read feedback from people who work with Cowtown.

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Request Your Full Truckload Quote

Share your lane, freight details, and schedule, and the team will review equipment fit and capacity.

Request a Truckload Quote