What is Heavy Haul Trucking? Heavy haul trucking is a specialized form of transportation that involves moving oversize or overweight cargo that exceeds the standard legal size and weight limits for road transportation. This type of transportation is used for various industries, including construction, energy, mining, and agriculture. Heavy haul trucking requires specialized equipment and drivers who are trained to handle the unique challenges of transporting oversized and overweight cargo.
What is Considered Oversize and Overweight Cargo?
Cargo that exceeds the standard legal size and weight limits is considered oversize and overweight. The size and weight limits vary by state and country, but generally, cargo that is over 8.5 feet wide, 14 feet tall, and 48 feet long is considered oversize. Cargo that weighs more than 80,000 pounds, including the weight of the vehicle and the cargo, is considered overweight. Oversize and overweight cargo can include construction equipment, industrial machinery, wind turbines, large transformers, and other specialized cargo.
What is Heavy Haul Trucking Equipment
Heavy haul trucking requires specialized equipment to safely and efficiently transport oversize and overweight cargo. The most common equipment used in heavy haul trucking includes:
Flatbed Trailers
Flatbed trailers are the most common type of trailer used in heavy haul trucking. They are open trailers with a flat deck that can be loaded from the top or the side. Flatbed trailers are ideal for carrying large and bulky cargo that cannot be easily loaded into enclosed trailers.
Step Deck Trailers
Step deck trailers, also known as drop deck trailers, are similar to flatbed trailers but have a lower deck height. They are ideal for carrying cargo that is taller than the standard legal limit but does not require a full height trailer.
Lowboy Trailers
Lowboy trailers are designed to carry oversize and overweight cargo that is too tall or too heavy for other types of trailers. They have a low deck height and can be extended to carry cargo that is up to 12 feet tall.
Extendable Trailers
Extendable trailers are designed to carry cargo that is longer than the standard legal limit. They can be extended to accommodate cargo that is up to 100 feet long.
Multi-Axle Trailers
Multi-axle trailers are designed to distribute the weight of oversize and overweight cargo across multiple axles to reduce the stress on any one axle. They can have up to 19 axles and are ideal for carrying extremely heavy loads.
Challenges in Heavy Haul Trucking
Heavy haul trucking presents several challenges that require specialized knowledge and expertise to overcome. These challenges include:
Route Planning
Heavy haul trucking requires careful route planning to ensure that the cargo can safely and legally travel on the roadways. This involves obtaining permits and coordinating with local and state authorities to identify the best route for the cargo to travel.
Weight Distribution
Proper weight distribution is critical in heavy haul trucking to ensure that the cargo can be safely transported. This involves determining the center of gravity of the cargo and distributing the weight evenly across the trailer to prevent the cargo from becoming unbalanced and causing accidents or damage to the vehicle or cargo.
Clearances and Obstacles
Oversize and overweight cargo can present challenges when encountering bridges, overpasses, and other obstacles on the roadway. It’s important to carefully plan the route and ensure that the cargo can safely clear these obstacles.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can also present challenges in heavy haul trucking. Wind, rain, and snow can make it difficult to safely transport oversize and overweight cargo. It’s important to monitor weather conditions and plan accordingly to ensure the safety of the cargo and the drivers.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional Heavy Haul Trucking Company
When it comes to heavy haul trucking, it’s important to work with a professional and experienced company that specializes in this type of transportation. Professional heavy haul trucking companies have the equipment, expertise, and experience to safely transport oversize and overweight cargo. They understand the regulations and permitting requirements and can plan the route to avoid obstacles and ensure the safety of the cargo and the drivers. They also have the necessary insurance coverage to protect against any damages or losses that may occur during transport. Freedom Heavy Haul is one of the most experience hauling companies you can find.
The Costs of Heavy Haul Trucking
Heavy haul trucking can be expensive due to the specialized equipment and expertise required to transport oversize and overweight cargo. The costs of heavy haul trucking can vary depending on several factors, including the weight and size of the cargo, the distance to be traveled, the route, and any permits or escorts required. It’s important to obtain quotes from multiple companies and compare their prices and services to ensure that you are getting the best value for your investment.
Advantages of using a Heavy Haul Trucking
While heavy haul trucking can be expensive, it provides several benefits that make it a worthwhile investment. The benefits of heavy haul trucking include:
Efficiency
Heavy haul trucking allows for the transportation of large and bulky cargo in a single trip, reducing the need for multiple trips and saving time and money.
Flexibility
Heavy haul trucking can accommodate a variety of cargo sizes and shapes, providing flexibility in transportation options.
Accessibility
Heavy haul trucking can transport oversize and overweight cargo to remote locations that may not be accessible by other means of transportation, such as trains or planes.
Safety
Professional heavy haul trucking companies prioritize safety in all aspects of transportation, ensuring the safety of the cargo, the drivers, and other motorists on the road.
The Future of Heavy Haul Trucking
As the demand for oversize and overweight cargo transportation increases, the heavy haul trucking industry is expected to grow and evolve. New technologies and innovations in equipment and transportation methods will continue to improve the efficiency and safety of heavy haul trucking. The use of autonomous vehicles and drones for transportation may also become more prevalent in the future, revolutionizing the way oversize and overweight cargo is transported.
Conclusion
In this article you learned about What is Heavy Haul Trucking? How Does it Work?. It requires specialized equipment, expertise, and planning to safely and efficiently transport the cargo. While it can be expensive, it provides several benefits and is a worthwhile investment for industries that require the transportation of large and bulky cargo. Working with a professional heavy haul trucking company and understanding the costs and benefits can help businesses make informed decisions and ensure that their oversize and overweight cargo is transported safely and efficiently.