DELICATE & UNUSUAL FREIGHT

Delicate or Unusual Freight

We’ve Become Experts in Arranging Delicate and Unusually Shaped Freight Moves

Handling delicate and/or unusually shaped freight is all about carrier service choice and the minimization of handling. From world renowned artists’ work to High Definition (HDTV) antennas to awnings to exterior signs, Tucker handles this freight and we understand the unique approach to proper shipping of these goods.

One example of extremely fragile, non-standard, non-palletized freight moves are exterior signs—the kind you see in multiplex movie theaters and big box retail stores. The United States Sign Council (USSC) has named Tucker Company Worldwide the association’s "Preferred Supplier for Freight, from 1 Pallet to a Truckload." Tucker has specialized in moving signs nationwide for many of America’s best shops, both large and small for over 15 years. In addition, we have written articles and hosted online forums on the subject of sign shipping and handling avoidance.

Shipping artwork, signs, antennas, awnings and other fragile freight must be handled differently. The various sizes, shapes and the fragile nature of these varied items make shipping them challenging. Combine those difficulties with the coordination of occasional delivery to a job site, and you can see why the shipping of signs, artwork, delicate machinery, etc., is as much of an art form as designing these items is.

Every Fragile Item Shipper Shares the Same Three Freight Challenges. Tucker Can Help.


1. Damage Control

The unusual sizes and shapes, combined with delicate electronics, machinery, glass, lightweight metals and plastics involved in these items present difficult freight challenges. One of the major factors in freight damage control is the number of times freight is handled. Tucker minimizes damage by offering the right service for the right situation.

The service which offers the least chance for damage is truckload service with air ride suspension. This service is door to door, and does not involve unloading the truck before delivery. The air ride suspension offers the smoothest ride. Truckload service is the fastest service as well.

When cost issues prohibit the use of truckload services, Tucker offers a partial truckload (or load-to-ride) service. This service utilizes a truckload carrier with sufficient space available on its equipment. You load the freight on the same truck that makes the delivery, and it does not involve unloading the truck before delivery. The speed is truckload or near truckload, depending on where your freight is on the trailer. Exact pick up and delivery time is slightly less reliable as truckload service.

LTL (Common Carrier) and Air Freight service entail significantly more handling than truckload and partial truckload. The Air Freight may have slightly less handling if the freight actually moves via plane during transit. These modes present increased chance of damage and loss.

2. Freight Bill Savings

Tucker Company Worldwide regularly deals with over 1200 of the nation’s best carriers. They range from dry van carriers to flatbed and specialized carriers, LTL and air freight carriers.

Our pricing should always be competitive. Not only will you gain from our pricing leverage, but also you will benefit by our using the right carrier for that particular lane. Every carrier has different rate structures, so it is not uncommon for a 50% discount with one carrier to be cheaper than a 70% discount with another. We make our decisions based on the bottom line cost and reliability of the service, not only on the percentage of discount.

3. Where and When You Need it - Even at Job Sites

Since our founding nearly 50 years ago, Tucker served the rigging and large item manufacturing industries with nationwide trucking services. These customers use cranes, crews and specialized equipment in order to load and unload their freight.

Meeting strict time constraints for pickups and deliveries is a natural for us. Like anything else, freight may never be perfect timing, but we work hard to meet cranes and crews at job sites across the country every week. We are excellent communicators and will keep you informed along the way.

For those extremely critical shipments, Tucker has numerous expedited carriers who offer limited guarantees that allow you to deduct part or all of the freight bill charges for late deliveries. These services must be announced at time of quotation, before the freight ships, and specifically agreed to in writing by both parties, before pickup. Since each carrier's guarantee terms are different, be sure to explain to us what you want, and be sure to get the terms in writing.