OOG Road Transportation: What Are FTL and LTL?

OOG (Out-of-Gauge) road transportation refers to the movement of cargo by road that exceeds standard transportation dimensions (width, height, length). Since these types of loads cannot fit into standard trucks or trailers, they require special equipment, detailed planning, and legal permits. The term OOG is often associated with project cargo, and ensuring the safe delivery of such shipments demands specialized expertise.

In OOG transportation, the two most commonly used methods are FTL (Full Truckload) and LTL (Less Than Truckload). However, within the context of OOG cargo, these terms carry slightly different meanings in relation to the volumetric characteristics of the loads.

1. FTL (Full Truckload)

FTL is used when a single shipper’s cargo is large or heavy enough to occupy the entire truck. In OOG transportation, FTL means that the cargo requires a dedicated transport vehicle due to its dimensions.

Characteristics:

• The load is transported using special equipment such as a low-bed or extendable trailer.

• The transport vehicle is dedicated exclusively to your cargo, allowing for faster delivery.

• Capacity: The size, height, or weight of the cargo exceeds the carrying capacity of a standard truck. Therefore, consolidation or sharing the vehicle with other loads is not an option.

• Cost: Because the transport is focused on a single load, the cost per unit may be higher compared to standard FTL operations. However, this is often the safest and most preferred method for complex and high-value project cargo.

2. LTL (Less Than Truckload)

LTL is used for transporting smaller loads that do not fill an entire truck. Unlike standard LTL, OOG LTL transportation is less common because OOG cargo generally cannot be combined with other shipments due to its size. However, this term may apply in certain situations:

Characteristics:

• Shared Transport: On rare occasions, several small OOG loads of similar dimensions and heading in the same direction may be combined using appropriate special equipment.

• Suitability: This scenario usually applies to lightweight but wide or long items. For example, long pipes or profiles from different shippers might be transported on the same specialized trailer.

• Cost: Partial loads allow each shipper to pay only for the space their cargo occupies, potentially lowering costs.

• Challenges: Consolidating different loads makes route planning and delivery schedules more complex. As a result, OOG LTL operations are uncommon and require meticulous planning.

Summary

OOG road transportation involves the logistics of moving oversized and heavy cargo. In this field, the terms FTL and LTL refer to the cargo’s spatial allocation on the transport vehicle and the logistics strategies applied accordingly. Due to the nature of project cargo, FTL is the most frequently used method, as it provides the highest level of safety and control.