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Overview
Hauling oversize loads requires extensive planning and preparation, including obtaining state-specific permits and ensuring your equipment meets strict safety standards.Expect to use pilot cars, flags, and warning lights for visibility, and follow your certified route precisely to avoid costly fines. Secure the load properly, check weather conditions, and be aware of specific travel restrictions, such as time-of-day or holiday bans.
Permits and Regulations
- State-Specific Rules:
Each state and often each county and city has unique regulations for oversize loads. - Obtain Permits:
You'll need a permit for loads that exceed typical width (often over 8'6"), height (above 13'6"), or weight limits. - Print Permits:
It is recommended to print copies of permits, as some states require a physical copy.
Equipment and Safety
- Pilot Vehicles:
One or more pilot cars (escort vehicles) are often required to warn other drivers and monitor the route for hazards. - Warning Devices:
The load and pilot cars must have banners, flags, and lights (typically red or amber) to enhance visibility. - Load Securement:
Use certified and appropriate securement systems, like load binders and wheel chocks, to prevent shifting.
Route and Travel Planning
- Plan Your Route:
Use GPS and maps to identify potential obstacles like low bridges and tight turns. - Follow the Route:
You must follow your permitted route exactly; deviating can lead to heavy fines. - Monitor Travel Times:
Be aware of travel restrictions, such as limitations on hours of travel, specific days of the week, and holidays.
Communication and Awareness
- Communicate with Support:
Maintain constant communication with escort vehicles and your support team. - Check Weather:
Be prepared to alter plans or postpone your trip if adverse weather conditions arise. - Know Your Load:
Understand the exact size, weight, and specific needs of your cargo to ensure proper handling and securement.
This will make you feel like being a child again with the rules and regulations that you have to follow. You absolutely cannot pass by a weigh station, regardless of signage, when you are oversized. You have to shut down either at sunset, 1/2 hour before sunset, or 1/2 hour after sunset. The same applies to mornings. It depends on the state.
Then you have curfews on going through many of the urbanized ares within each state. You need to know where the curfew area begins and ends. You are also shut down in some areas due to holiday restrictions. Sometimes it will be from noon on the Thursday before until the Tuesday morning after. You have to try to plan accordingly, but that does not always go according to plan because of traffic, accidents, or weather.
The regular freight haulers can keep traveling as long as they are legal size.
You will have a lot more headaches, a lot more stress, and trouble finding parking (depending on your size). If you are long, you worry about some taking the nose off of your truck,. If you are wide, then you worry about the people that are attempting to park next to you. On both sides. It really keeps the stress level up.