What EXLA 105 says in plain terms
Estes Express Lines publishes its capacity load and cubic minimum provisions in the EXLA 105 rules tariff. The structure follows the two-tier pattern with a linear foot test on top:
- Low-density thresholds at 350 cu ft and 750 cu ft, matching the 350 cu ft under 3 PCF and 750 cu ft under 6 PCF pairs used by the other two-tier carriers.
- A linear foot line in the 12 to 15 LF range, beyond which a shipment is treated as using trailer capacity rather than freight-class space.
- Full 96 in vertical clearance assessed on non-stackable freight, so tariff cube on a do not stack unit is always L × W × 96.
Where EXLA 105 differs from the synthetic weight approach at XPO or ODFL is the outcome. A shipment that trips the rules can be re-billed as a capacity load or volume rate, and the standard LTL contract discount does not carry over. For a shipper with a deep Estes discount, losing that discount can cost more than the synthetic weight would.
Tests: 350 cu ft / 3 PCF, 750 cu ft / 6 PCF, 12–15 LF
Outcome: capacity load or volume rate without the LTL contract discount
Our engine models the re-rate as a 6 PCF synthetic weight with a restricted discount, which is the common denominator across carriers. On Estes the real figure depends on the capacity load or volume rate in force, so read the engine's re-rated figure as a direction, not a prediction.
Run your load against the EXLA 105 thresholds
- Safe — tariff cube, density and linear feet stay under the carrier's cube and linear-foot rules.
- Tier 1 — 350 cu ft or more under 3 PCF (XPO, Saia, ABF, Estes): synthetic weight of 6 lbs per tariff cubic foot.
- Re-bill — 750 cu ft or more under 6 PCF, or linear feet at the carrier's rule: book volume LTL or direct partial truckload.
Capacity load or cubic minimum: two different re-bills
| Feature | Cubic minimum (synthetic weight) | Capacity load / volume re-bill |
|---|---|---|
| What triggers it | Cube over a threshold at low density | Cube, density or linear feet showing the shipment uses trailer capacity |
| Rating basis | Tariff cu ft × 6 lbs at a named class | Volume or capacity rate for the space used |
| Contract discount | Usually restricted | Standard LTL discount stripped |
| Where it shows up | Corrected bill with W&I certificate | Corrected bill re-rated on the capacity basis |
| Best prevention | Stackable packaging, height under 60 in | Request a volume quote before pickup |
The practical difference is control. A volume quote requested before pickup is priced on your terms and checked against other carriers. A capacity load re-bill is priced after the fact, with no chance to route the freight elsewhere. If the engine shows red for Estes, ask for the volume quote.
Worked example: twelve non-stackable skids at 60 in
Twelve 48×40 skids of restaurant equipment in cartons, 60 in tall, 300 lbs each, marked do not stack. Lane length 1,200 miles.
| Measure | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Actual cube | 48 × 40 × 60 ÷ 1,728 × 12 | 800.0 cu ft |
| Total weight | 300 × 12 | 3,600 lbs |
| Actual density | 3,600 ÷ 800.0 | 4.50 PCF (Class 175) |
| Tariff cube at 96 in | 48 × 40 × 96 ÷ 1,728 × 12 | 1,280.0 cu ft |
| Phantom cube | 1,280.0 − 800.0 | 480.0 cu ft |
| Tariff density | 3,600 ÷ 1,280.0 | 2.81 PCF (Class 250) |
| Linear feet | 6 rows × 48 in ÷ 12 | 24 LF |
| Tests | 350 / 3, 750 / 6 and the LF line | All three fire |
| Synthetic weight at 6 PCF | 1,280.0 × 6 | 7,680 lbs |
At 24 LF the load fills almost a whole 26' straight truck and nearly half a 53' van. Indicative engine figures: about $1,317 rated cleanly at Class 175, about $2,673 re-rated, about $1,529 as a spot volume LTL quote, about $1,743 on a direct partial truckload and about $2,820 for a dedicated 26' box truck. These are planning numbers, not quotes. The clean $1,317 is not on offer for this freight at any carrier; the real choice is between a volume quote now and a re-bill later.
The same twelve skids, repacked
| Version | Tariff cube | Tariff PCF | Linear feet | Tests that fire | Indicative re-rated / volume LTL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 in, do not stack | 1,280.0 | 2.81 | 24 | 350 / 3, 750 / 6, LF | $2,673 / $1,529 |
| 60 in, flat stackable top | 800.0 | 4.50 | 24 | 750 / 6, LF | $1,695 / $1,529 |
| 48 in, stackable, double stacked | 640.0 | 5.63 | 12 | LF only | $1,382 / $1,058 |
Three lessons from one load. Capping the tops at 60 in removes 480 cu ft of phantom cube but leaves the shipment over 750 cu ft at 4.5 PCF and over the LF line, because 60 in units still cannot double stack. Repacking to 48 in lets the skids ride two high, halving the floor to 12 LF and clearing both cube tiers. And at 12 LF the indicative volume LTL quote of about $1,058 beats even the clean class-rated figure, because volume rates price floor space while class rates price weight at Class 175.
Linear feet at Estes for common footprints
The linear foot test is where Estes catches loads that clear the cube tiers. With units loaded two across in a standard van:
| Footprint | Row length | Units per 12 LF, single high | Units per 12 LF, double stacked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 × 40 GMA | 48 in | 6 | 12 |
| 48 × 48 | 48 in | 6 | 12 |
| 96 × 48 crate | 96 in | 2 (one 8 LF row) | 4 |
Six single-high pallets reach 12 LF; a seventh opens a fourth row and takes the shipment to 16 LF, past the top of the 12 to 15 LF range. Double stacking doubles the count that fits in the same floor. Long crates are the awkward case: each row of two 96 in crates takes 8 LF, so a third crate jumps the shipment straight from 8 to 16 LF. The linear foot calculator shows straight and pinwheel layouts, and the 53' trailer configuration guide shows how those rows fill a full van.
Writing the tender so Estes prices it right
A capacity load re-bill happens when what reaches the dock differs from what was priced. The way to avoid it is to price what will actually reach the dock. For any Estes shipment the engine flags amber or red:
- Send full dimensions with the quote request, per handling unit: length, width, height at the tallest point, weight including the pallet, and whether each unit can carry another on top.
- Ask for a volume quote, not a class rate, once the shipment is past about 12 LF or 750 tariff cu ft. The volume quote prices the floor space you will use.
- Put the quote number on the bill of lading along with the same dimensions, so the shipment is billed against the quote rather than re-rated from the class tariff.
- Keep the load as quoted. An extra skid added at the dock can push the shipment past the quoted space and reopen the rules.
If a volume quote comes back higher than a direct partial truckload, the freight belongs on its own truck. Send the dimensions to rates@cubictransport.com for a side-by-side.
Checking EXLA 105 before you dispute
Estes reissues EXLA 105 like every carrier reissues its rules tariff, and the current issue governs. The thresholds, the linear foot line and the capacity load basis can change, and EXLA 105 organises them under its own item numbers that this page does not quote. Before disputing a re-bill, download the issue in force on the ship date, find the capacity load and cubic minimum items, and check the corrected bill against them.
- Get the inspection record with dimensioner photos.
- Confirm which rule was applied. A capacity load re-bill and a cubic minimum re-bill are calculated differently; the corrected bill should name the basis.
- Rebuild the numbers from the scanned dimensions: tariff cube, density, linear feet.
- Check the discount treatment against the item and your pricing agreement.
The W&I dispute guide has the request wording.