In the USA, an oversized or wide load refers to a load or a vehicle that’s wider than 8 feet 6 inches. As the exact specifications for oversized shipments are known to vary from one state to another, it’s imperative for you to make yourself completely aware of the legal compliance requirements for all the US states.
Admittedly, if you’re new to oversized freight services, exploring the inherently technical world of flatbed shipments can turn out to be pretty tricky, particularly when transporting humongous loads, such as tractors, cranes, bulldozers, wind blades, steel beams, prefabricated homes, and more.
Key Considerations for the Shipper before Renting Oversized Freight Services
When it comes to relocating any flatbed load, you should always make a note of the precise weight and dimensions of your goods for selecting the right kind of equipment and delivering the shipments without violating safety compliance.
Here are a few critical factors that you need to seriously consider for choosing the appropriate type of oversized freight services for goods transport.
- Know the Legal Specifications Concerning Flatbed Loads
The legal requirements with respect to goods aren’t only well-documented but also fairly consistent across the US states. As a general rule of thumb, the greatest permissible width and the maximum legal height is 8 feet 6 inches in both cases. The maximum load that a truck is legally allowed to transport is 46,000 pounds and the greatest permissible length is usually 47 to 53 feet. Although a few vehicles may be able to carry more, 46,000 pounds happens to be the industry benchmark.
- How to Confirm Whether or Not Your Load is Oversized
Weight limitations are applicable on the basis of every axle. While your shipment weight may not exceed the maximum legal weight, it may be greater than the greatest permissible load per axle. You’ll be able to simply modify the load for ensuring the legal compliance of your goods and hence, there’s no need to apply for special permits anymore.
Anything that measures over 8 feet 6 inches in width is deemed to fall under the category of oversized load most of the time and consignments that span beyond 12 feet may need 1 or 2 pilot vehicles behind your flatbed truck and/or in the front
Note that the onus of obtaining necessary permits is on your flatbed drivers and it’s not possible for them to acquire an oversized permit in the event your shipment cannot be feasibly reduced in weight or size.
- Make Yourself Acquainted with Travel Escort Regulations
In several American states, shipments that are more than 12 feet in width mandatorily need pilot vehicles or travel escorts. Apart from paying for variable per-mile charges, shippers are also required to compensate for accommodation and other incidental costs, often known as transportation accessorial expenses, and you should remember to factor in them too for estimating your consolidated freight charges.
The sole job of travel escorts is to warn your flatbed drivers of exceptional circumstances, such as construction zones, accidents, traffic jams, bridges, low wires, and other potential hazards that essentially call for careful maneuvering of the goods transport vehicle. The travel escorts also alert the public in advance so that people are able to disperse and make way for an oversized shipping vehicle.
If you’re planning to hire a top oversized transporter anytime soon, you can call Welkin Transport as it’s widely acknowledged as one of the most trusted and preferred, oversized freight services in the USA as well as Canada.
