Are you aware of the extra precautions that go into delivering oversized loads?
Shipping wide or oversized loads presents its own particular set of challenges in the trucking industry. These challenges are similar to the ones associated with following typical trucking loading regulations or safety precautions on the road. However, like the shipments oversized trucks carry, some of these challenges are widened.
Tractors, bulldozers, large construction materials, and manufactured homes are just a couple of examples of oversized shipments. For transporting these shipments, even a more specialized flatbed service won’t always be enough. There are special regulations to follow and permits needed to move loads this large.
In this blog, let’s define and go over some crucial considerations when delivering oversized loads.
Is My Shipment An Oversized Load?
In the United States, a wide or oversized load is one that spans wider than 8’6’’. Each state can have varying regulations on transporting overdimensional loads, even for height or weight. It’s essential to follow the legal requirements for each state you will be traveling through. This way, you can properly mark the truck with signs, flags, and lights indicating it’s unusual width on the roads.
Get Permits
For each state you haul the oversized load through, you will need to get a permit beforehand. The route will be surveyed and preapproved before you can be issued a permit.
Plan Your Route
This goes without saying, you need to plan your route ahead of time to get approval and a permit anyways. However, this is good practice for all trucking. Planning for taking breaks, refueling, avoiding construction, and getting to appropriate weigh stations are ways truckers stay safe and on-time with their deliveries. Certain trucking technology is available to plan more efficient routes.
Plan Your Schedule
With specific time and driving restrictions for each state, delivering oversized shipments can be tricky. In several states, oversized loads are only allowed on the road on weekdays from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Additional restrictions are in effect on weekends and some holidays. Taking these and trucking industry drive-time restrictions into account means planning your travel schedule is a must, for both short and long hauls.
Get Travel Escorts
Individual states will require some oversized shipments to be accompanied by travel escorts or pilot vehicles. The shipper will be expected to pay for their services and any travel fees incurred. Travel escorts help to survey the road and the load while in transit. They also serve to alert others on the road to be cautious of your oversized freight.
Drive Defensively
Safe driving is critical in all truck driving operations. Moving overweight and oversized shipments mean cautious driving takes precedence over meeting a schedule. Speeding and tailgating are dangerous to all on the roads. Drive at the more conservative side of the speed limit and leave plenty of room in front of the truck.
For All Your Trucking Needs
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