How do you haul oversized things such as cranes, turbines, earth moving equipment, or large pressure vessels? The answer is: very, very carefully. Transporting these big objects overland is best described as an operation requiring lots of organization and planning. Here are five considerations the owner operator of a heavy hauling rig will have to bear in mind while transporting overweight and oversized loads within South Carolina and throughout other states:
State Requirements
Permits for heavy haul shipments are issued by each state through which the load is transported. The height requirements in many states is 13.5 feet, though this figure is different for some states. The load per axle is another common restriction which affects the type of trailer used in your rig. The trailer will need sufficient axles to better distribute the load among its wheels so that road surfaces aren’t damaged. In addition, some states require that the load be a single piece (non-divisible).
Travel Restrictions
Taking the shortest route is often not possible because oversized or heavy loads aren’t allowed on some roads. On the roads that allow heavy hauling, certain hours of the day, and days of the week may be restricted. The restriction frequently applies to overnight hours and weekends. Overhead bridges may not have sufficient clearance while bridges themselves may not handle the weight. Sharp turns in the road, power lines, and telephone poles are among the many obstacles that restrict your options.
Load Securement
Load securement is not done in an offhand way. Big size means big costs and big consequences for mistakes. Mistakes can mean costly damage to the load, property damage, and sometimes injury. The load must be correctly distributed and secured on the trailer.
Time
Time is required to get all of the required permits. The more states that the load travels through, the more permits required. Sometimes a load needs specialized equipment for loading and unloading. Availability of this equipment may depend on how much it’s in demand. Making the entire operation happen in a timely way requires a lot of organization.
Insurance
A large cargo is a costly cargo. This is why insurance is important in the heavy hauling business. Getting adequate cargo insurance isn’t just a good idea, it’s mandated by the federal government. If you are looking for commercial truck insurance in South Carolina that provides affordable rig insurance rates for commercial vehicles of all sizes, contact us at J.E.B. Insurance Services, LLC.
