Shipping efficiency provides a double benefit for both the carrier and the shipper. Knowing how to maximize your efficiency as a shipper will accelerate all future shipments. As a shipper, reducing your cost and time spent is important. Simply by choosing the right shipping methods during the winter season, you will increase LTL efficiency.
The next time you plan to ship LTL during cold season, consider these improvements:
Ship from an ideal location
Shipping close to a metropolitan area reduces the likelihood of delayed freight and reduces your costs. Metropolitan areas usually have a larger concentration of carriers and shipping terminals.
Have an open time frame
Giving your carrier more time to move your freight will save you money, simple, right?
Palletize your loads
Pallets not only keep your freight secure, but they also keep costs low. Pallets will be easy and fast for your carrier to load. Also, if your pallet can be stacked, it becomes a space saver.
Consolidate your freight
If you have multiple items going to a single location, try to ship them at the same time. This will reduce the number of shipments you have to create and reduce the amount of packaging needed.
Have your freight ready before the carrier arrives
Coordinate a system with a pick-up in mind to maximize the carriers time and reduce delays. Sometimes carriers are told to leave within 15-30 minutes with or without the load. Having a good system in place will put both parties ahead.
Choose a carrier that covers your shipping region
If you plan to ship far, make sure that the carrier reaches out to the destination. Some carriers will pass off your freight if they don’t cover the region. This is costly and increases time in transit. GoShip.com will help you save time and money, and improve your LTL efficiency. With a system backed by thousands of carriers nationwide, we have solutions to fit any shipping need. All you have to do is enter in your dimensions, place of origin, and destination, then you’re ready to receive multiple rate quotes. If you’re in a time crunch, our easy-to-use solution is here for you. Get your Free Quote to try it for yourself.
You may not have wanted it, but you’re moving, and it’s winter. Moving this time of year can bring about many challenges when you’re making arrangements for the big day. It’s a good plan to outline what you need to do before setting your date in stone, luckily, we did that for you! Here is our outline of how you should pack for your winter move. Weatherproof your packing is a must. With the possibility of freezing temperatures or wet conditions, you want your items protected.
Consider these packing materials:
- Consider the use of bins instead of boxes to keep the wet out, they are easy to carry, sturdy and stackable.
- Plastic bags make a great investment for sealing out moisture from your items, even moisture can make its way into a bin or a box.
- A plastic wrap is also a fantastic option for protecting those odd-shaped items or even wrapping the lids of the bins to seal them.
- Tape should be used to secure the tops and bottoms of any box or to secure bin lids on.
- Bubble wrap or thick packing paper can help your items in transit but can double as an insulator for those frigid temperatures.
How to pack your items for winter move?
- Electronics and wet weather are not friends, keep the electronics in sealed bags before placing them in a box to keep moisture out.
- Large electronics, such as your brand-new television, can be wrapped in oversized plastics bags, or even plastic wrap.
- Furniture items such as your favorite lounge chair or that stunning couch can be covered with plastic wrap.
- Mattresses can be placed into plastic mattress bags.
- Items that don’t fear moisture can be placed in your basic cardboard box, as they don’t require special attention.
Once your items are packed securely, you’re ready to ship. To save yourself some money, utilize online shipping platform like GoShip.com to move your items. Pairing with an online shipping platform can ensure your items arrive in record time and in a safe condition. Just be sure that you have yourself prepared as much as your items are. The roads and the weather can be unpredictable. We want your items to arrive safely just as much as we want you to arrive safely.
Moving Day: Loading Up the Truck
You have all your stuff wrapped, sealed, boxed, and bubble wrapped to the skies. What’s next on the list?
Now it’s time to load up the moving truck and head to your new home.
Unlike moves during the summer, winter journeys need more care and preparation to ensure that the items get to their destination safe and secure.
Here are a few suggestions to help optimize your snowy move:
- If you are getting ready for a long-distance move, see if you can ship out your clothes and bedding as early as possible so they’ll be ready by the time you get to your destination.
- Make sure to load your winter clothes into the truck last so they are easy to find and use.
- Wait until the very last day to pack up your electric kettle and microwave. You’ll need those to keep yourself and your movers warm and fed during the moving process.
- Clear out the ice and puddles and make a safe walkway for the movers to load up the truck.
- Prevent slipping and injuries by laying down non-slip mats or old blankets on the floor. Doing this will also protect the floor from scratches and water damage.
- Assign someone to be the spotter to help minimize accidents caused by slips and falls.
Most importantly, start the move early and take things slow.
The reason why you may want to start early is that ice and snow tend to get worse during the nighttime.
Starting early also means that you can take your time loading all your items into the truck with minimal slips and falls.
If you hear weather reports warning citizens in your area about a possible snow storm on the day of your move, reschedule it. Do not try to “muscle” through the storm as that will only lead to damages and injuries.