What ATG Truck Load Does

ATG Truck Load is a freight brokerage and logistics company that arranges transportation for full truckloads of cargo. Rather than operating its own fleet, ATG connects shippers who have goods to move with independent trucking companies and carriers who have available truck capacity. The company handles the coordination, pricing, and logistics so the shipper doesn't have to contact carriers directly.

ATG operates in the less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) segments of the freight industry. When you have a shipment large enough to fill an entire truck — typically 10,000 to 45,000 pounds depending on the cargo type — ATG can quote you a rate, find a carrier, and manage the pickup and delivery. The company also handles documentation, tracking, and communication between you and the driver.

Key Takeaways

  • ATG Truck Load acts as a middleman between shippers and trucking companies, meaning you contact ATG instead of calling carriers yourself.
  • You need to provide your shipment weight, dimensions, pickup location, delivery location, and cargo type before ATG can quote a rate.
  • Full truckload shipments typically move faster than LTL because the truck goes directly from pickup to delivery without stops.
  • ATG handles all carrier communication and documentation, but you remain responsible for accurate cargo description and any special handling requirements.
  • Rates depend on fuel costs, distance, current carrier availability, and whether your shipment requires special equipment or handling.

How to Get a Quote from ATG

To receive a freight quote, you'll need to gather specific information about your shipment before contacting ATG. Have your pickup address, delivery address, shipment weight in pounds, dimensions (length, width, height), and a description of what you're shipping ready when you call or visit their website.

ATG will ask whether your cargo requires special handling — refrigeration, hazmat certification, flatbed equipment, or other accommodations. The more detail you provide about your shipment, the more accurate the quote will be. Once ATG has this information, they can search their carrier network and provide you with pricing and estimated pickup and delivery dates.

Quotes are typically valid for a set period, often 24 to 48 hours. If you accept the quote, ATG will book the shipment with a carrier and provide you with a confirmation number, carrier name, and driver contact information. You'll also receive a bill of lading (BOL), which is the legal document that describes your shipment and serves as a receipt.

What Information You Need to Provide

ATG will ask for your shipment's weight and dimensions because these determine how much truck space it occupies and how much it costs to move. Weight is measured in pounds; dimensions are length, width, and height in inches or feet. If you're unsure of exact measurements, reasonable estimates are acceptable, but significant errors can cause rate adjustments or delivery delays.

You'll also need to describe the freight class of your cargo — this is an industry standard that categorizes goods by density, value, and handling difficulty. Common classes range from 50 (very dense, low-value items like metal) to 500 (light, high-value items like electronics). ATG can help you determine the correct class if you're unsure.

Provide both pickup and delivery addresses with full street addresses, city, state, and ZIP code. If pickup or delivery is at a residential address, a business address, or a loading dock, let ATG know — this affects how long the driver will need and what equipment may be required. Also specify whether you or the shipper will load and unload the truck, or whether the driver will handle it.

Typical Timeline from Booking to Delivery

Once you book a full truckload shipment with ATG, the carrier is usually assigned within 24 hours. The driver will contact you to confirm the pickup time, which is typically scheduled for the next business day or within 2 to 3 business days depending on carrier availability and distance.

After pickup, a full truckload shipment usually reaches its destination within 1 to 3 days for regional moves and 3 to 7 days for longer distances. The actual time depends on the distance, the driver's hours-of-service regulations (which limit how long a driver can operate), and whether the route includes overnight stops. ATG provides tracking information so you can monitor your shipment's progress.

Delivery occurs once the truck arrives at the destination address. The driver will contact the receiver to schedule a specific delivery window. After the cargo is unloaded, the driver obtains a signature on the bill of lading, and the shipment is considered delivered. ATG will send you a delivery confirmation.

How Pricing Works

ATG Truck Load pricing is based on several factors: the distance between pickup and delivery, current fuel surcharges, the weight and class of your freight, and the availability of carriers in that lane (the route between two points). Rates fluctuate based on market demand — if many shippers are moving freight in one direction and few carriers are available, rates rise.

You may also pay additional fees for special services. These include detention fees if the shipper or receiver keeps the truck waiting beyond a set time (often 2 hours), fuel surcharges that adjust when diesel prices change, accessorial fees for services like inside delivery or liftgate use, and hazmat fees if your cargo requires hazardous materials certification.

Most quotes from ATG are all-inclusive, meaning the price you see covers the carrier's fee and ATG's brokerage fee. However, always confirm what is and isn't included before accepting a quote. Some carriers charge for waiting time or require payment of fuel surcharges separately.

What Happens If Your Shipment Is Delayed or Damaged

If a shipment is delayed, ATG can contact the carrier to determine the cause and provide you with an updated delivery estimate. Delays often result from traffic, weather, mechanical issues, or driver availability. ATG acts as your point of contact with the carrier and can escalate issues if needed.

If your cargo arrives damaged, you should document the damage with photos before accepting delivery. Notify ATG and the carrier when ready — most carriers require damage claims to be filed within a specific timeframe, often 24 to 48 hours. ATG can help you file the claim and coordinate with the carrier's insurance.

Cargo damage claims are typically covered by the carrier's liability insurance, though coverage limits explore. The amount you can recover depends on the declared value of your shipment at the time of booking. This is why it's important to accurately describe your cargo and its value when getting a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to load and unload the truck myself?

Not necessarily. When you get a quote, specify whether you'll load and unload or whether the driver will do it. If the driver loads and unloads, this is usually included in the quote for a full truckload. For LTL shipments, you typically load your portion, and the driver handles the rest. Confirm this with ATG before booking.

What if my shipment is too small for a full truckload?

ATG handles both full truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. For smaller loads, your freight will share truck space with other shippers' cargo. LTL shipments take longer because the truck makes multiple stops, but the per-pound cost is often lower than booking a full truck for a small load.

Can ATG ship hazardous materials?

Yes, but hazmat shipments require special certification and handling. When you contact ATG, clearly state if your cargo is hazardous. The carrier will need to be hazmat-certified, and you'll pay an additional hazmat fee. ATG will guide you through the documentation requirements.

What if the carrier doesn't show up for pickup?

If a carrier fails to pick up your shipment on the scheduled date, contact ATG when ready. They can reach out to the carrier to determine the issue and arrange a new pickup time. If the carrier cancels, ATG will search for another carrier. Repeated carrier failures should be reported to ATG so they can address it with that carrier.

How do I track my shipment?

ATG provides tracking information when your shipment is booked. You'll receive a confirmation number and the carrier's contact details. Many carriers offer real-time GPS tracking through their website or app. You can also contact ATG directly with your confirmation number for a status update at any time.