Flatbed Hauling Trucking Companies, Flatbed Freight Shipping Rates, Transportation Quotes
It’s not uncommon to see oversized cargo being transported on the back of semi-trailer trucks on the highway. Oversize load trucking can be a challenge; however, most shipping companies are pros at transporting these large items thanks to past experience and tips developed over the decades.
If you’d like to transport oversized freight with minimal problems, you should follow these tips.
Transporting oversized loads can be a slow process. This cargo often needs to be loaded and unloaded using special equipment, and the transportation stage on the road tends to be slow as well.
However, this slow pace is a voluntary choice on the driver’s part to ensure the safety of other cars and pedestrians on the road. Oversized loads are often very heavy, and add to the truck’s total momentum when it is in motion. These loads require additional braking force to bring the vehicle to a complete stop on the road.
As a result, the braking distance for trucks transporting oversized loads tends to be longer than that of trucks transporting underweight freight.
If the trucks used for oversize load trucking moved at a faster pace, they may get into accidents given their longer braking distance. This slower driving speed is easier to manage and keeps everyone safe.
Oversized freight can’t be transported on the roads and highways without a permit from the state. Each state has its own size and weight classification for defining an oversized load, so you should look up the requirements for your state and apply for a permit accordingly.
Oversized loads that are transported without a permit are subject to a heavy fine. So you should check with your state before transporting a wide load.
If your freight is being transported across state lines, you will need to get a permit for every state your truck will be passing through. This ensures that you are meeting the unique requirements set by each state during transportation.
Many oversize load trucking companies plan out their delivery routes well in advance. This is because oversize freight may not fit on certain roads and highways, so they will have to be transported on alternative routes instead.
These routes often include detours that slow down delivery times, but they are necessary to ensure that the delivery is completed safely.
Careful planning is also required to help the delivery stay on schedule. Most states allow oversized loads to be transported only during special delivery times. So drivers will need to work with these restrictions when they are transporting this freight.
For example, most states require oversized loads to be transported between sunrise and sunset. If the delivery route wasn’t planned in advance, the driver may find themselves far away from the nearest rest stop when the sunset driving restriction takes effect. In this situation, they may have to wait until sunrise before taking their truck to a truck stop.
As you can see, oversize load trucking isn’t easy. It’s best to leave such deliveries to oversized trucking companies with plenty of industry experience.
