Flatbed Hauling Trucking Companies, Flatbed Freight Shipping Rates, Transportation Quotes
An oversize load company is a company that transports heavy, oddly shaped, oversized items from one place to another. They use specialized vehicles and a team of experts to conduct this job.
Oversize trucking and load-hauling is a tough job on its own – doing so, at night can be even trickier. Even though transporting heavy loads at night has its many benefits like lighter traffic and a more relaxed drive. Loading and transporting heavy objects at night can be dangerous due to many reasons.
Therefore, oversize trucking companies need to be watchful of their safety at all times. Here are a few tips for oversize transportation companies to be able to smoothly transport heavy loads at night.
Escorts vehicles, also commonly known as pilot cars are vehicles that guide and help convoys of oversize flatbed trailers, large vehicles or trucks carrying over-dimensional objects. Every state in the US has different requirements for pilots, but their purpose remains the same.
For safe transport at night, oversize trucking companies must appoint appropriate escort vehicles that can guide truck drivers throughout the drive and keep them aware of their surroundings.
Banners and warnings with words like “Wide Load” or “Oversize Load” are signs used by oversize transport companies. These signs are placed at the front and rear of the trucks and oversize vehicles. Their purpose is to ensure the safety of the cars around them by warning them of the load these trucks are carrying – this way other cars can keep their distance.
Every state in the US has a specific set of ins instructions for these signs. For example, it is mostly required for the signs to be at least 18 inches in height and 7 feet in width. Visibility is an issue at night, which is why an oversize load company is advised to use signs that are bright in color, made of reflective material, and mounted at a high position.
Just like warning signs, warning flags and lights are important for every oversize loading vehicle. Flags in bright colors like yellow and orange are necessary to be present during the daytime. But it is crucial to equip your vehicle with the appropriate warning lights at night.
The different types of lights that oversize trucking companies should place on their vehicles are spotlights, work lights, and amber strobe lights. It is also recommended to use reflective tape and clothe your personnel in reflective material
When transporting an overweight load at night, you don’t want to get lost in an oversized vehicle. It is unsafe and inconvenient. Hence, it is advised to prepare your route beforehand. Pre-transport course preparation will familiarize the driver with their route and ensure smooth transport.
Heavy haul transport is not a job everybody can do. There are oversize transportation companies that hire experts who can handle oversize vehicles and ensure smooth loading and unloading of heavy objects.
However, even for experts, it can be risky to work at night. An oversize load company needs to be extra careful about their safety when working at night and following the above-mentioned tips can help them achieve smooth operation even without daylight.
