How To Choose The Best FTL Trucking Companies in Virginia
Are you looking for FTL carriers to ship your freight out of Virginia?
Blessed with magnificent scenery and rich history, Virginia has over 35,000 officially-listed trucking companies available for you to choose from. But this doesn't make your search for the best FTL trucking companies in Virginia any easier.
This blog post will help you to know what to look for when searching for the best FTL trucking companies in Virginia. We will go over the difference between FTL and LTL and the benefits of using an FTL trucking company. Right after, we will jump into the 5 factors you must check when choosing a carrier to work with. If you're based in Virginia or simply looking to haul your freight out of VA, remember these 5 factors and you can be confident you will find the right trucking company in VA for your needs.
The benefits of using FTL carriers
When it comes to trucking, there are two main types of freight shipping services: less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload freight (FTL). If you're shipping a large number of goods or items that are too big or heavy for LTL, then you'll need to find an FTL trucking company in VA. Using full truck load companies has many benefits, but these are the most important:
Your goods arrive faster with FTL carriers
Full truck load companies deliver your freight faster and can meet tighter deadlines than LTL carriers. An LTL shipment has to make it through multiple stops and possibly on different trucks before reaching your final destination.
Your goods are less likely to be damaged with FTL carriers
Because your shipments will be the only ones occupying the truck, they are less likely to be damaged during transit. This is important for fragile shipments. Unlike LTL shipping, full truckload freight will sit in one place until reaching delivery. Also, fewer hands will touch your freight.
You have more control over your shipment with full truckload companies
With FTL carriers, you have more control over your shipment since you'll be working with one trucking company from start to finish. With peace of mind knowing that your freight is in good hands, you can focus on growing your business.
LTL can be a good option for shipments that are not urgent or are open to more flexibility. But for shipments that are fragile, have tight deadlines, or require special attention, FTL carriers will be the best route for shipping your freight. Now, let's learn about the 5 factors you must check before choosing a carrier to work with.
What to look for when choosing trucking companies in VA
There are a few factors you should keep in mind when choosing full truckload freight companies in Virginia to partner with. The following factors will help you to avoid working with a carrier that won't meet your shipping needs:
FTL carriers with experience in transporting your specific type of goods
Trucking companies in Virginia specialize in different types of cargo hauling, so it's important to find one that has experience shipping what you're sending. Save time and money by working with a trucking company in VA that will get it right the first time.
Ask the carrier: "What is your experience shipping this type of goods?"
FTL carriers with an outstanding reputation
Transportation runs on reputation. Be sure to check a trucking company's reviews online to get an idea of what other customers have to say about their services. We don't recommend working with any trucking companies in Virginia before researching their reviews online. If you're able to talk with one of the trucking company's clients, this will be a tell-all opportunity to learn about their quality of service.
Ask the carrier: "Do you have a good reputation among previous clients and is it possible to speak with them about their experience with you?"
A Virginia trucking company known for flexibility and customer service
With shipping and transportation, things don't always go according to plan. That's why it's critical to choose flexible trucking companies in VA with great customer service. If you have any questions or concerns, you should be able to easily reach someone who can help you. Nothing is worse than calling a carrier 20 times to get an update on your shipment's location or status.
Ask the carrier: "What level of customer service can we expect from you?"
VA trucking companies with a great on-time delivery record
Another important factor to consider when choosing between FTL carriers is their on-time delivery records. This information shows you the percentage that FTL carriers meet their client's deadlines. You can also find this information on the FMCSA website.
Ask the carrier: "Will you provide tracking information and how much visibility can we expect?"
Companies in Virginia with a solid safety record
When choosing a trucking company in Virginia, you should always check its safety record. This information is public and you can easily find it on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) website. The FMCSA is responsible for trucking safety in the US and issues Safety Fitness Ratings (SFRs) to trucking companies. A trucking company can receive a rating of: "Unsatisfactory, Conditional, and Satisfactory." Based on a trucking company's most recent review, the FMCSA will assign one of 3 ratings.
Unsatisfactory: A trucking company in a current ‘Unsatisfactory’ rating means that several safety requirements have not been met according to records.
Conditional: A trucking company in a current ‘Conditional’ rating means that the carrier was not in compliance with at least one safety requirement at the time of the compliance review. Be cautious and ask the operator how they’ve improved since their last compliance review.
Satisfactory: A trucking company in a current ‘Satisfactory’ rating means that the carrier has no significant safety violations. This is the best rating given to trucking companies.
Ask the carrier: About any incidents on their safety record that you are interested in learning more about.
Finding the best trucking companies in Virginia
Keeping these 5 factors in mind when choosing between FTL trucking companies in Virginia, you can be sure to find the best FTL carriers for your needs. To recap, don't forget to ask the carrier questions about their experience transporting your type of freight, their reputation among customers, customer service, on-time delivery record, and safety record. Doing your research will ensure that you partner with a trucking company in VA that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
If you want to skip the hunt for the best trucking companies in Virginia, give MigWay a call to learn how we can help enjoy your shipping process. We have years of experience transporting all types of freight and our reputation is second to none. Plus, we offer unparalleled flexibility and you'll love our team and their customer service. Our on-time delivery record is impeccable and our safety record speaks for itself. So if you're ready to raise your expectations of a trucking company, call us today and start shipping with MigWay!