Two Systems, One Trailer
For logistics directors and freight brokers, LTL pricing logic usually feels like a battle between weight and space. Most shipments are governed by Density—your PCF determines your freight class, which determines your rate. However, there is a second, more aggressive pricing mechanism lurking in carrier tariffs: the Linear Foot Rule. While density governs how compact your freight is, the linear foot rule governs how much trailer floor you consume.
Density (Standard LTL)
Density logic assumes your freight can be efficiently mixed with other shipments. It uses the NMFC class system. If you take up 4 feet of a trailer, your density class (e.g., Class 70) dictates the price.
Linear Foot (Capacity Rule)
Once a shipment occupies 10 to 14 linear feet of a trailer (depending on the carrier), the class system is often discarded. You are charged a "Capacity Load" rate based on the floor space consumed, regardless of your density.
Why Volume Calculations are Critical
The most expensive mistake a shipper can make is booking a density-based shipment that unknowingly triggers a linear foot violation. Carriers use automated hub dimensioners to verify floor space. If you book 10 pallets that you *think* will be double-stacked but arrive non-stackable, they will take up 20 linear feet. The carrier will then override your Class 70 rate and bill you for a "Partial Truckload" at significantly higher cost.
Capacity Management Checklist
- Stackability: Ensure your pallets are perfectly flat-topped. Non-stackable freight consumes 2x the linear footage in the eyes of the carrier.
- Extreme Dims: Don't measure the pallet; measure the product overhang. 2 inches of overhang on 5 pallets adds an extra foot of linear consumption.
- Density Verification: Use our calculator to find your PCF first. If your PCF is low but your linear footage is high, prepare for a capacity surcharge.
Verify Your Trailer Footprint
Don't guess on your volume. Use our tool to find your exact density and trailer-load profile before you request your next quote.
Calculate LTL Density ⟶