How to Ship Switchgear via LTL Freight
Guide to shipping distribution class switchgear and switchboard sections via LTL freight. Covers how populated weight sets freight class, liftgate weight ratings, job site delivery, and what to do with sections too large for a dry van.
Quick reference
Freight class and density
Switchgear on the density scale
Pounds per cubic footSwitchgear classes on what is inside the enclosure. An empty cabinet and a fully populated section occupy identical cubic space, so the populated one is denser and classes cheaper.
This is why quoting a switchgear order off the enclosure drawing gets the class wrong. Weigh the section as it will actually ship. Run your own numbers with the density calculator or the freight class calculator.
Recommended packaging
Ship sections upright on their factory skid, bolted down, with the shipping splits left as the manufacturer set them. Brace across the top of tall sections so the load cannot rack in transit, and keep the center of gravity documented on the bill of lading. A 90 in section on a 36 in base is top heavy, and drivers need to know that before they move it.
Accessorials you may need
These are the most common accessorial services for switchgear shipments. Declare them at booking time — carriers that discover them on arrival bill more and back-date to the invoice. With Warp, every accessorial below is already included in the per-pallet rate.
Need to price a different combination? Use the accessorial fee calculator to see what accessorials add to any base rate.
Shipping tips for switchgear
- Weigh the section as it ships, populated. Classing off the empty enclosure weight understates density and gets the shipment reclassified on the dock.
- Check the liftgate rating before you book one. Standard liftgates are rated around 2,500 to 3,000 lb, and a fully populated section can sit right at that line.
- Keep manufacturer shipping splits intact. Sections are split at the factory to a width that clears a dry van door, and rejoining them before transit creates a piece that will not load.
- Declare the site as limited access. Switchgear goes to substations, plant yards, and active construction, which all bill as limited access.
- Note the center of gravity and the upright requirement on the bill of lading so the piece is not laid down at a cross dock.
What each mistake costs
Classing off the empty enclosure weight
The same 90 cubic foot section is class 100 at 900 lb and class 70 at 2,000 lb. Quoting the empty drawing weight prices the move on the wrong side of that gap and the correction lands as a reweigh on the invoice.
Booking a liftgate that cannot lift the section
Standard liftgates are rated near 2,500 to 3,000 lb. A populated section at the top of its range meets a gate that will not take it, the delivery is refused at the door, and the freight comes back for a second attempt.
Not declaring a substation or plant yard
Substations, industrial yards, and active construction sites all bill as limited access. The fee applies whether or not it was declared at booking.
Shipping a tall section with no upright marking
A 90 in section on a 36 in base is top heavy. Without an upright marking and a documented center of gravity it can be laid flat at a transfer point, which is how bus bar and relay damage happens.
What freight class switchgear ships at
Distribution class switchgear generally runs class 70 to class 100, and the variable is how much gear is inside the enclosure. A section measuring 90 by 36 by 48 inches occupies 90 cubic feet whether it is empty or full. At 900 lb that is 10.0 lb per cubic foot and class 100. At 2,000 lb it is 22.2 lb per cubic foot and class 70. Weigh what actually ships rather than quoting from the enclosure drawing.
What fits a dry van and what does not
Manufacturers split switchgear lineups into sections sized to clear a standard trailer door, and those sections move on a dry van without difficulty. Anything taller than roughly 92 inches, wider than the door opening, or delivered as an unsplit lineup becomes a flatbed or heavy haul move. Warp runs dry van, box truck, and cargo van freight, so an oversized lineup needs a specialized carrier rather than this network.
Liftgate ratings matter more than liftgate availability
Most switchgear destinations have no dock, so the reflex is to book a liftgate. The step people skip is checking the rating. Standard liftgates handle roughly 2,500 to 3,000 lb, and a fully populated section can sit at that limit, which turns into a refused delivery at the door. Confirm the section weight against the gate rating, or arrange a forklift at the site.
Delivering to substations and active sites
Switchgear lands at substations, plant yards, and construction sites, and all three carry a limited access fee with a standard carrier. They also tend to have narrow receiving windows and a superintendent who needs to be called before the truck arrives. Book the delivery appointment and give a real on site phone number. On Warp, limited access, liftgate, and appointment are all included in the per pallet rate.
Ship switchgear with Warp
Warp gives you instant per-pallet rates with no hidden fees. Enter your origin, destination, and pallet details to see transparent pricing across LTL, FTL, box truck, and cargo van. First shipment gets $50 off with code WARP2026.
Switchgear shipping FAQ
What freight class is switchgear?
Distribution class switchgear generally falls between class 70 and class 100, set by density. A 90 by 36 by 48 inch section is 90 cubic feet: at 2,000 lb populated that is 22.2 lb per cubic foot and class 70, while the same enclosure at 900 lb is 10.0 lb per cubic foot and class 100. Warp prices switchgear per pallet, so no class is assigned on our network.
Can switchgear ship LTL, or does it need a flatbed?
Sections split to manufacturer shipping dimensions ship on a dry van as standard LTL or FTL freight. Unsplit lineups, sections taller than roughly 92 inches, or anything wider than a trailer door opening need a flatbed or heavy haul carrier. Warp runs dry van, box truck, and cargo van, so an oversized lineup should route to a specialized carrier.
What liftgate do I need for a switchgear section?
Check the rating rather than just booking the service. Standard liftgates are rated near 2,500 to 3,000 lb, and a fully populated section can reach that. If the section is at or above the rating, arrange a forklift at the delivery site instead, or split the delivery across lighter sections.
How do I keep switchgear from being damaged in transit?
Keep it upright, bolted to its factory skid, and braced across the top. Mark the upright requirement and the center of gravity on the bill of lading so it is not laid flat at a cross dock. A 90 inch section on a 36 inch base is top heavy, and most switchgear damage traces to the piece being handled as though it were not.
Does Warp deliver switchgear to construction sites?
Yes. Construction sites, substations, and plant yards are all standard destinations, and they bill as limited access with most carriers. Warp includes limited access, liftgate delivery, and delivery appointments in the per pallet rate, so a job site delivery prices the same as a dock delivery.