Full Truck Load Freight Services in Australia
At a Glance
- Full Truckload (FTL) freight gives your shipment a dedicated truck rather than shared space with other clients' goods.
- Suited to bulk pallets, containers and oversized cargo across retail, manufacturing, mining, construction, agriculture and events.
- Vehicle options include dry vans, flatbeds, refrigerated trucks, high-security vehicles and drop-deck or extendable trailers.
- A national interstate network connects Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
- Fewer stops and no shared detours mean cargo can take a more direct route to its destination.
- Quotes are tailored to your load and route by speaking directly with a PACK & SEND Service Centre.
When your business needs to move goods in bulk, PACK & SEND offers full truck load freight services across Australia. With access to a flexible national network, we provide reliable transport for pallets, containers, and oversized cargo. Whether you need interstate delivery or specialised handling, our experts ensure every shipment is managed with precision and care.
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What is Full Truckload (FTL) Freight?
Full Truckload freight, often called FTL, means hiring an entire truck to transport your goods from pick-up to delivery without sharing space with other loads. Unlike shared road freight models, where shipments from different clients travel together, FTL gives your cargo its own dedicated vehicle – ideal for bulk goods, time-sensitive deliveries, or fragile and high-value items.
Difference between FTL and LTL
- FTL (Full Truckload): One client, one truck. Best for large shipments or when security and speed are priorities.
- LTL (Less-than-Truckload): Multiple clients share the truck space, with goods combined at depots along the route. More economical for smaller shipments but often slower.
Benefits of Choosing FTL Freight
Cost efficiency for bulk shipments
While FTL may seem more expensive upfront, it becomes the smarter choice when transporting large loads. Instead of paying per pallet or cubic metre, you secure the entire vehicle – making it cost-effective for high-volume freight.
Faster delivery times
Dedicated truck space means fewer stops and no detours. Your cargo takes the most direct route, helping you meet tight deadlines.
Increased security and reliability
Because your goods don’t share space with other consignments, there’s less handling, less chance of damage, and more peace of mind.
Industries That Benefit from Full Truckload Freight
Full truckload freight is designed for organisations moving large volumes of goods that require dedicated space and reliable delivery schedules. Many industries find FTL to be the most efficient and secure way of transporting freight, including:
- Retail and eCommerce – moving high volumes of stock between warehouses, stores, and distribution centres.
- Manufacturing – transporting raw materials and finished products on a regular schedule to keep production flowing.
- Mining and Resources – delivering heavy equipment, spare parts, and bulk supplies to remote locations.
- Construction – moving building materials, machinery, and prefabricated components to project sites.
- Agriculture and Food – shipping bulk produce or perishable goods with specialised handling and compliance.
- Events and Exhibitions – transporting staging, equipment, and displays that demand secure and timely delivery.
By tailoring FTL services to each sector’s specific requirements, PACK & SEND’s logistics solutions ensures that every shipment is managed with the right combination of equipment, compliance, and care.
Types of Trucks and Loads Available
Choosing the right truck type is essential for safe, efficient transport. PACK & SEND works with a wide variety of vehicle options to match different freight requirements, ensuring your goods are moved in the most suitable way.
Dry vans vs flatbed trucks
Dry vans are enclosed trailers and represent the most common choice for FTL freight. Their protective walls and roof keep goods safe from weather and road dust, making them ideal for palletised cargo, packaged consumer goods, and sensitive items that should remain covered during transport. Businesses in retail, eCommerce, and manufacturing often prefer dry vans because they strike the right balance of capacity, protection, and efficiency.
Flatbeds are open trailers without walls or a roof, designed for flexibility rather than enclosure. They are perfect for oversized, heavy, or irregularly shaped cargo such as machinery, building materials, steel beams, or large industrial equipment that wouldn’t fit inside a dry van. Flatbeds allow for loading from any side with forklifts or cranes, making them the go-to option for freight that is bulky or difficult to handle with standard doors and docks.
Maximum load capacity explained
The load a truck can carry depends on its type and configuration, but in Australia, a standard FTL service generally accommodates:
- Semi-trailers (Curtainsider or Pantech): A typical Australian semi-trailer can carry somewhere between 25-35 pallets (depending on pallet size and trailer dimensions) with payloads ranging up to the legal limit (often ~40-45 tonnes gross vehicle mass depending on the combination).
- Flatbeds: Flatbeds have similar maximum legal weights to dry vans but their usable payload may be reduced due to restrictions on overhang, securing, and shape of the load. They are particularly useful when cargo is oversized, irregular, or cannot be enclosed.
- B-doubles: B-doubles are commonly used on long-haul, high-volume routes. They provide greater length and payload capacity (often in the ~60-65 tonne GCM range on suitable routes) while conforming to regulations — though their use depends on having access under government rules for route, mass, dimension and access.
Understanding capacity is key to optimising your freight plan. Under-loading a truck can waste resources, while overloading can cause delays, compliance issues, or damage. Our experts ensure each load is matched to the right vehicle for maximum efficiency.
Specialised trucks for unique freight
Not every shipment fits into the “standard” mould. That’s why PACK & SEND provides access to specialised vehicles to meet unique logistics needs, including:
- Refrigerated trucks (reefers): For perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive shipments that must remain within a strict cold chain.
- High-security vehicles: Designed for valuable or sensitive freight, these trucks feature enhanced locks, tracking systems, and sometimes even escort services.
- Drop-deck and extendable trailers: Ideal for tall, heavy, or extra-long freight that requires a low centre of gravity or adjustable trailer length.
With PACK & SEND, you’re not limited to one truck type. We work across industries and freight profiles, pairing your shipment with the most appropriate vehicle and load configuration to ensure both safety and efficiency.
Full Truck Load Costs & Quotes
The cost of FTL freight depends on several factors, including the distance of the journey, the type of goods being moved, and the level of service required. For example, a long-haul interstate freight trip will be priced differently from a local run, and refrigerated or dangerous goods will require additional compliance measures.
Because of the complexity of these shipments, full truckload quotes cannot be provided online. Instead, our logistics specialists work directly with you to understand your requirements and build a tailored solution that ensures efficiency, compliance, and value. To arrange a full truckload freight quote, please contact or visit your nearest PACK & SEND Service Centre.
Full Truckload Freight Destinations
PACK & SEND provides full truckload freight solutions across Australia’s busiest corridors, giving businesses and individuals the confidence that large consignments will arrive safely and on time. Our interstate network links all major capitals, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. Whether you are moving high-volume stock between warehouses, transporting machinery interstate, or coordinating long-haul freight across the country, our team ensures your shipment is managed with care, compliance, and efficiency.
Why Use PACK & SEND for Full Truck Loads?
Working with PACK & SEND means having access to a flexible network of carriers, vehicles, and routes. Instead of being limited to a single provider, we can match the right solution to your requirements, whether that’s a standard freight truck or a tailored service for complex consignments.
Our difference lies in the way we manage logistics challenges. We provide:
- Tailored freight solutions designed around your business needs.
- End-to-end support from booking to final delivery.
- Trusted service built on experience and reliability.
Thousands of businesses across Australia trust PACK & SEND to deliver bulk freight securely and on schedule and we bring that same commitment to every truck with load capacity we manage.
Get a Full Truck Load Quote Today
When you need to move large volumes of freight, PACK & SEND makes the process simple and reliable. Speak directly with one of our logistics experts or visit your nearest Service Centre to arrange a tailored full truckload freight quote that meets your requirements.
Pack with precision. Send with confidence. Handle everything in between — with PACK & SEND.
FAQs About FTL Freight Services
How do I book a full truckload with PACK & SEND?
You can arrange an FTL shipment by contacting your nearest PACK & SEND Service Centre. Our team will assess your load, route, and timing requirements to provide the right truck and schedule.
What paperwork is required for FTL freight?
At minimum, you’ll need a consignment note with shipment details. Depending on the goods, additional compliance documents may be required, which our team will guide you through.
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