South Dakota To Florida Heavy Haulers Equipment Transport Service

Florida is the 22^nd largest state in the country. From north to south, the state is nearly 450 miles long. Florida also is almost 330 miles long at its widest, in the north. The major north-south roadways are I-95 and I-75, both of which run from Georgia to Miami. The main east-west highways include 1-10, between Orlando and Tampa, and I-4, which travels between Daytona Beach and Orlando.

Florida continues to grow by leaps and bounds. In 2017, seven cities in Florida were among the 25 fastest growing towns in America (Orlando, Cape Coral, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Lakeland, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale). The 10 largest cities in the state are:

1. Jacksonville;
2. Miami;
3. Tampa;
4. Orlando;
5. Petersburg;
6. Hialeah;
7. Tallahassee;
8. Port St. Lucie;
9. Fort Lauderdale;
10. Cape Coral.

Loads that exceed any of the dimensional limits set by the state require oversize permits. Trailers weighing 3,000 pounds or more need separate brake systems to operate legally in Florida. In addition to brake lights, all trailers must have lights for the tail, the turn signal and the license plates. Trailers also are required to display reflectors and tote safety chains.

The dimensional restrictions in the state of Florida include:

Maximum weight: 80,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight;

Maximum height: 13 feet 6 inches;

Maximum width: 8 feet 6 inches.

Regulations regarding the length of towed trailers in Florida are near the standards set by most states, except for trailer length. For 53-foot trailers, the kingpin must be set at least 41 feet from the center axel. Most states limit trailer length to less than 30 feet, but Florida allows longer trailers than most states. Travel trailers are limited to 40 feet in length.

Trailer length maximums in Florida include:

Total length: 75 feet;

Trailer length: 48 feet;

Motor home length: 40 feet.

The Florida Department of Transportation issues permits for hauling oversized loads within the state. Oversize load transport is allowed from ½-hour before sunrise to 1/2-hour after sunset during weekdays. Oversize transport is not allowed during major holiday weekends. Escort vehicles are required if the load is more than 95-feet long, or more than 14-feet tall, or more than 12-feet wide.

Restrictions for permitted oversize loads in Florida include:

Maximum Weight:  199,000 for 11 axels;

Maximum Length: 150 feet total;

Maximum Height: 16 feet;

Maximum Width: 16 feet.

Let Freedom Heavy Haul ship your heavy equipment to or from any auction in Florida. The Florida Winter Auctions in March feature major heavy equipment auctions by Ritchie Brothers (Davenport), Yoder & Frey (Kissimmee), and Alex Lyons and Sons (Winter Garden). Operated in conjunction with Iron Planet, the Richie Brothers Winter auction is one of the largest heavy equipment auctions in the world.

Other equipment auction houses in Florida include:

• J. Kane, Riviera Beach;
• First Coast Auction, Jacksonville;
• Garner & Associates, Bartow;
• Graham Auction, Tequesta;
• Insight Auctioneers, Sebring;
• Midway Machinery and Auction, Midway;
• Tampa Machinery Auction, Thonotosassa;
• Weeks Auction, Ocala.

Freedom Heavy Haul ships equipment to and from every rental center in Florida. United Rentals and Sunbelt Rentals each have more than 50 locations in Florida. Compact Power Equipment also has several branches in Florida.

Other heavy equipment rental centers in Florida include:

Allstar Equipment, West Palm Beach;

Alltool Rental, Fort Lauderdale;

B&M Equipment, Jacksonville;

Beard Equipment, Tallahassee;

Briggs Equipment, Orlando;

Herc Rentals, Tampa;

Miami Tool Rental, Miami;

Sandy Andy’s, Ormond Beach.