February in Colorado Springs doesn’t usually offer smooth shipping days. We’ve all seen how winter weather can throw off even the best-laid plans. Ice, snow, and cold air can slow down deliveries or make it harder for carriers to stay on schedule. That’s especially true for freight shipping in Colorado Springs, where routes and timing matter just as much as packing and paperwork.
Many of us are thinking weeks ahead right now, trying to get shipments out on time or prepping for upcoming inventory delays. It’s normal to have questions about how freight shipping works, especially in colder months. Whether you’re shipping equipment, stacked pallets, or anything that needs a bit more care because of the size or value, it helps to know what to expect and how to avoid common pitfalls.
What Counts as Freight and When Should You Use It?
Freight shipping is different from sending out smaller parcels. This method is built for larger or heavier shipments that don’t fit neatly in a box or that would be too expensive to send one item at a time. If it needs to go on a pallet, be shrink-wrapped, or calls for extra handling, it probably counts as freight.
Your business might be ready for freight shipping if any of these sound familiar:
• You have been sending a high number of individual packages to the same customer or vendor
• One or more of your shipments weigh over 150 pounds
• The items are odd-shaped, oversized, or high-value
• You need consistent deliveries for restocking or outgoing equipment
When we see these patterns, it usually means regular shipping options are no longer making things easier. Freight can help move materials safely and in a more organized way, especially when time and protection matter during colder months.
Pak Mail offers custom crating, palletizing, and freight service options for shipments large and small. We provide solutions for domestic freight, international freight, and local business delivery in the Colorado Springs area. Our team handles everything from heavy machinery to trade show displays, with both Less Than Truckload (LTL) and Full Truckload (FTL) options available.
How Weather Affects Freight Shipping in Colorado Springs
Winter in Colorado Springs isn’t just chilly, it can come with sudden road closures, icy loading docks, and slower transit speeds. All of that can make freight shipping more complicated, especially in February. Deliveries that would usually take a day or two might get postponed for safety.
There are a few ways we help plan around that:
• Crating helps protect breakable or bulky items from shifting while in motion
• Wrapping pallets in water-resistant materials keeps things dry if they’re loaded outside or left in a truck overnight
• Relying on carriers that know Colorado Springs well can keep delays to a minimum since they have seen what weather can do to freight routes firsthand
Planning for weather might mean adjusting pickup times, organizing shipments earlier, or temporarily changing delivery expectations. It’s about control, having a say in how your freight is packed, protected, and managed when snow is in the forecast.
Do You Need Help with Crating or Palletizing?
Some businesses think they only need a crate when something is extremely fragile. That’s a common mix-up. In reality, crating helps whenever items are large, hard to wrap, or need to stay put during transit. Even items that aren’t fragile can still shift or tip, especially on uneven roads or in cold, damp air.
Here’s when crating or palletizing helps most:
• You are shipping equipment, furniture, or stacked goods
• The item is over 100 pounds and needs a forklift or liftgate
• You want to keep things safe when trucks hit snowy roads or have to stop suddenly
Professional packing keeps things secure while making pickup and delivery easier, too. Crates can be built to fit around your item, not just stuffed with filler. That cuts down the chance of damage and can help make space on the truck more efficient. In the winter, better packing often means fewer delays from damaged labels or shifting loads.
Pak Mail uses ISPM-15 certified lumber for export crating, and our team can design custom crates or pallets to suit your business shipment needs.
Common Paperwork and Pickup Questions
Getting freight picked up isn’t the same as dropping a box at a shipping counter. There’s usually more paperwork involved, and you need to give a heads-up so a pickup can be scheduled. If you’re new to freight, this part can feel confusing at first, but it’s manageable once you know the steps.
Think about these details when preparing:
• Most freight needs a bill of lading with basic shipment info and delivery details
• You will need to list what’s being transported, how it’s packed, and if it needs special handling
• Scheduling can be same-day in some cases, but it’s safer to set up pickups a day or more in advance when it’s snowing
• If your store hours do not match delivery times, private mailboxes or freight-ready drop points can help bridge the gap
Paperwork matters, but so does timing. A freight truck can’t wait around too long, so having everything ready ahead of time helps avoid missed pickups or returned shipments. Winter can already cause slowdowns, so smoothing this part out makes a big difference.
Smart Freight Starts with the Right Prep
Shipping freight in February takes more than plugging in a few details online. If snow is in the forecast or roads are covered in ice, we need to build in time and plan around those risks. Delays and damage often happen when things are rushed or packed without care. That’s avoidable with a little extra prep upfront.
From checking weather forecasts to crating fragile goods and scheduling early pickups, these small steps protect your shipment before it even leaves the building. It doesn’t take a full overhaul of your shipping process, just a more thoughtful approach when the cold hits hard. Winter does not have to throw off your freight plans every year. A few smart moves now can keep your business on track all season long.
Shipping decisions during winter can be challenging, especially when managing large loads, equipment, or palletized items. Knowing how freight shipping in Colorado Springs works is a smart starting point for your business. At Pak Mail, we make it simple to handle every detail, from packaging to scheduling, so your shipments arrive safely despite the weather. Call us today and let’s keep your logistics on track.