Shipping Wood Reels: Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to shipping wood reels, there are numerous details to consider that can influence both cost and efficiency. Whether you’re a supplier, buyer, or logistics partner, understanding the intricacies of wood reel shipping is essential. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from selecting the correct shipping class to avoiding common shipping mistakes.

1. Understanding Shipping Class

Shipping wood reels involves using the right National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) codes to ensure the shipment is classified correctly. Using an incorrect code can lead to delays, extra fees, and other complications.

NMFC Codes for Wood Reels

Wood reels are categorized under NMFC number 177400. However, within this category, there are 12 subcategories. Choosing the right one is critical, and it depends on factors like the type and size of the reels.

How to Find the NMFC Number and Subcategory

To determine the NMFC subcategory for your wood reels, you can use tools like freightsidekick.com. This platform helps identify the correct subcategory based on specific reel characteristics, such as weight and material.

Steps for Identifying the Correct NMFC Code:

1. Find the base NMFC number: Use 177400 for wood reels.
2. Determine the subcategory: Based on your reel's specifications (size, weight, material), use resources like freightsidekick.com to find the appropriate subcategory. You will also need to include a description of the subcategory.
3. Verify accuracy: Ensure the code accurately reflects the shipment to avoid potential surcharges or delays.

2. Choosing the Right Mode of Transportation

The mode of transportation is a crucial factor in ensuring that your reels arrive on time, undamaged, and cost-effectively. There are several options, each suitable for different shipment sizes and timelines.

Flatbed Shipping

While there are certain citations where flatbed trailers are ideal, they are often not necessary for wood reels, as dry vans can accommodate reels up to 96” in flange diameter. While some might think flatbeds are cheaper, this is not always the case. A dry van can be just as cost-effective, depending on the dimensions and quantity of reels.

53’ Dry Van Shipping

A dry van is the most common method for shipping wood reels. Here’s how to decide between Full Truckload (FTL) and Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping:

• FTL (Full Truckload): Ideal for shipments that take up more than ??of the truck space. FTL is also recommended if you need dedicated delivery schedules without sharing space with other shipments.
• LTL (Less Than Truckload): Best for smaller shipments but note that delivery dates can sometimes be unpredictable since your reels will share space with other freight.
• Partial Load: A hybrid option that is great when you don’t need a full truck but more than LTL. Partial loads offer some of the benefits of FTL, such as dedicated delivery times, while costing less than a full truckload.

Box Truck Shipping

For shorter distances or urgent smaller shipments, a 22’ box truck might be the best option. These trucks offer flexible delivery times, but they may require your reels to be down stacked due to height restrictions. This can affect how the reels are bundled and handled.

3. Understanding Shipping Dimensions and Bundle Sizes

Proper bundling of wood reels is essential for optimizing truck space and ensuring safe transport. The size and type of wood reels determine how they should be bundled.

Max Height for LTL Shipments

Most LTL shipments are typically limited to a maximum height of 96 inches. It’s crucial to keep this in mind when bundling your reels to avoid unnecessary delays or surcharges.

Our Bundling Standards For Stock-Sized Reels

• Plywood Reels: These reels are bundled to fit standard pallet footprints, allowing up to 22 pallets per truckload.
• Nailed Wood Reels (24”–42”): These reels typically take up two standard pallet footprints. You can fit up to 11 bundles of Nailed Wood reels in a full truckload.
• Reels over 42” diameter: These are generally shipped individually due to the inefficiency of bundling or palletizing them.

Weatherproofing Considerations

When shipping wood reels, especially over long distances, it's vital to account for weather conditions:

• Plywood reels should not be exposed to moisture, as water can damage the material.
• Nailed Wood reels, on the other hand, are more resilient and can withstand wet conditions without compromising the reel's structural integrity. However, it’s still advisable to cover all reels during transit or store them indoors when possible.

4. Shipping Costs and Pricing Factors

Shipping costs for wood reels vary widely based on several factors. Understanding these variables can help you optimize costs.

What Affects Shipping Costs?

Key factors that affect the shipping cost of wood reels include:

• Distance: Longer distances result in higher transportation costs.
• Reel size and weight: Larger and heavier reels increase the shipping price.
• Mode of transportation: FTL, LTL, and flatbed options each have different pricing structures.

How to Reduce Shipping Costs

Here are a few strategies for reducing your shipping costs:

• Optimize bundling: Nest smaller reels inside larger ones to maximize truck space.
• Choose the best freight option: Depending on the urgency of your shipment, LTL, partial load, or FTL might be the most cost-effective.
• Streamline packaging: Secure your reels efficiently with minimal excess to avoid unnecessary handling or space use.

5. Handling and Unloading at Delivery

Proper handling at delivery is critical to avoid damage and ensure smooth operations.

Equipment Needed for Unloading

Most wood reel deliveries require a forklift for unloading. Ensure the receiving site is equipped with the necessary machinery to handle the size and weight of your shipment.

Receiving Guidelines

Upon delivery, inspect your reels for any signs of damage that may have occurred during transit. Here’s a checklist:

• Check the flanges for damage, particularly from forklifts.
• Inspect bolts and hardware to ensure they haven’t come loose. This is common in lighter-duty reels like plywood, where overtightening can cause damage.
• Confirm bundle quantities - which are often labeled on the outside of the bundle packaging

6. Common Shipping Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure a smooth and cost-effective shipping process, be aware of these common mistakes.

Incorrect NMFC Codes

As mentioned earlier, using the wrong NMFC code can result in shipping delays and increased costs. Double-check your code and subcategory to avoid unnecessary issues.

Incorrect Dimensions

Providing inaccurate dimensions of your reels can also lead to surcharges or shipment delays. Always measure carefully and include all relevant details when coordinating your shipment.

Inadequate Packaging

Properly securing your reels is critical to prevent damage during transit. All of our shipments nest the reels to make the bundle stable. We use sturdy banding to strap the bundles together, ensuring they remain secure throughout the journey.

Choosing the Wrong Mode of Transportation

Selecting the wrong mode of transportation can inflate your costs and delay your delivery. For example, LTL shipping is cost-effective but doesn’t guarantee a specific delivery time. On the other hand, full truckloads might be unnecessary if you’re not filling at least ? of the truck.

Bonus: Full Truckload Quantities for Wood Reels

For your reference, we’ve included a list of how many of each size reel fits in a standard 53’ enclosed trailer (dry van). Note this is when loaded individually (not palletized), as it would typically be in any situation when attempting to maximize truck space or when shipping mixed reels sizes such as is commonly the case with used or refurbished reels.?

Here are the typical quantities for full truckload shipments of wood reels:

Parameters:

• Reel Size (inches)
• Quantity Range (per full truckload)

This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the complexities of shipping wood reels, ensuring that you optimize costs, avoid delays, and ensure safe delivery.