Service
Full truck load (FTL): refrigerated full loads on a dedicated rig
A full truck load is one tractor-trailer rig dedicated to a single customer and a single trip: loaded at origin, closed, and not opened again until delivery. It is the only mode CoolCargo runs, and every full load travels on an ATP-FRC refrigerated trailer.
What a full truck load actually is
A full truck load — FTL — is a service where the entire vehicle is dedicated to a single consignment. There is no consolidation with other customers’ freight and no depot leg, so between loading and delivery the product is not handled and the doors are not opened.
- Capacity
- Up to 33 euro pallets on the floor, or around 26 with double-deck depending on trailer configuration.
- Weight
- 40 t gross combination weight on a 5-axle unit; roughly 24–25 t payload depending on tare.
- Routing
- Door to door, no transhipment.
- Temperature
- A single set point, or two with multi-temperature equipment.
When a full load beats groupage
Whenever the risk of handling the freight outweighs the saving of sharing the trip. In refrigerated transport that threshold arrives earlier than people expect.
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| High-value or critical product | FTL — every transhipment is a door opening and a potential cold-chain break |
| Volume from roughly 20 pallets | FTL — beyond that, groupage stops being cheaper |
| Tight delivery deadline | FTL — groupage depends on depot consolidation |
| Medicinal product under GDP | FTL — avoids mixing temperature ranges and liabilities |
| Few pallets and a flexible deadline | Still FTL — we do not run groupage; for small volumes we look at combining with another load from the same customer or the same corridor |
What the service includes
- A dedicated Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor unit with ATP-FRC refrigerated trailer.
- Pre-cooling of the trailer to the agreed set point before loading.
- A driver on our payroll, trained in handling sensitive freight.
- Continuous dual-probe temperature logging and a report at the close of the trip.
- CMR consignment note and the applicable traceability documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Do you handle groupage or consolidated freight?
No. CoolCargo works exclusively in full truck load (FTL): one rig, one customer, one trip and one temperature setpoint. There is no groupage, no consolidated freight and no consolidation platform in the middle. For pharmaceutical product and for any temperature-sensitive goods, consolidation is precisely where incidents appear: every transhipment opens the doors and blurs responsibility. If the volume is small, the way forward is combining several loads from the same customer or the same corridor into one dedicated trip, not consolidating with third parties.
How many pallets fit in a refrigerated trailer?
A standard 13.6 m refrigerated trailer takes 33 euro pallets (1.20 × 0.80 m) on the floor. With dense product the constraint is usually weight rather than space: on liquids or meat you reach the 24–25 t payload before filling the box.
Is a full load quoted as a firm price?
Yes. We quote a firm price for the trip, calculated on the actual route, the tolls of the countries crossed, the fuel burn of the refrigeration unit and the legal driving times. There are no surprise line items at the end.
Can we load at several points and deliver at several?
Yes. Multiple collections or deliveries on one trip are routine, provided the time windows are compatible and the set point is the same. Flag it when requesting the quote, because each stop changes the total time and the rest planning.
Need a full truck for pharmaceutical or refrigerated freight?
Tell us origin, destination, temperature range, product type and volume. A dedicated account manager comes back with a firm quote within one working day. If it is urgent, call.