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Partial truckload
Partial truckload, or volume LTL, is a shipment too big for standard LTL but too small to fill a truck, priced by a one-off quote instead of the class tariff. FedEx Freight's volume service covers 4,000 to 44,000 lb taking at least 10 feet of trailer; Estes's starts at 5,000 lb or 8 feet.
Where it sits
| Service | Weight | Trailer length |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx Freight volume | 4,000 to 44,000 lb | At least 10 ft, up to 56 ft — two full pup trailers |
| Estes volume LTL | 5,000 lb or more | Or at least 8 linear feet |
| Estes truckload | 30,000 lb or more | Or at least 48 linear feet |
FedEx Freight pitches volume service at large LTL shipments that are not urgent, filling unused truckload space. Estes says its volume quotes are good for 30 days, as long as the freight stays the same.
How it is billed
- FedEx Freight's Item 759 requires the volume quote number in a prominent place on the original bill of lading.
- Freight taking more space than quoted is charged at 150% of the quote's rate per foot or per pound.
- Liability on its TLX volume tier is USD 2.00 per pound per package, or USD 10,000 per incident, whichever is less.
Worked example: a missing quote number
Volume quote USD 800 → without the number on the bill, a 50% upcharge of USD 400 → below the USD 480 minimum, so USD 480 is added → USD 1,280Under FedEx Freight's Item 759. A shipment that big moving as plain LTL could instead meet the capacity-load rule, which starts at 15 linear feet.
The mistake people make
Handing the driver a bill of lading without the quote number. The carrier cannot match the freight to the price it agreed, so the shipment is billed with the upcharge — or as ordinary LTL, with every linear foot and class rule that applies.
FAQ
Partial truckload: common questions
- What is partial truckload?
- A shipment between LTL and a full truck — FedEx Freight's volume service covers 4,000 to 44,000 lb using 10 to 56 feet of trailer — priced by a quote rather than the class tariff.
- When should I ask for a volume quote instead of LTL?
- When the shipment is large enough to meet a carrier's volume threshold — at Estes, 5,000 lb or 8 linear feet — and the delivery is not urgent. Below that, standard LTL usually applies.
- What happens if the quote number is left off the bill of lading?
- At FedEx Freight, a 50% upcharge on the quote with a USD 480 minimum. Other carriers may bill it as standard LTL instead.