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How Wide Is Your Flatbed Shipment?
Federal Exclusions to Width Measurement for Overland Transported Freight
In general, if the freight you're hauling is less than 102 inches wide, you are below the limits set by the federal government that triggers wideload permitting requirements. This means no over-dimensional permits, escorts, or other cost and schedule impacting rules to follow. Knowing your width measurements are very important to effectively managing shipping schedules and project budgets. And you’re the one responsible for accurate measurements – not the state or federal representatives.
But what is included and what is not when it comes to measuring the width of flatbed freight shipments? Federal rules and regulations clarify this issue. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration states the following:
WIDTH EXCLUSIVE DEVICES - States must allow certain devices to extend beyond the 2.6 m (102-inch) width limit of Commercial Motor Vehicles on the National Network and reasonable access routes. These include rear-view mirrors, turn signal lamps, handholds for cab entry/egress, splash and spray suppressant devices, and load-induced tire bulge. Also excluded are non-property carrying devices that do not extend more than 3 inches beyond each side of the vehicle.” U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 23 CFR Part 658
This may or may not seem obvious. But when it comes to cost and project impact between an over dimensional load and one that falls below these standards, it’s important to know the regulations to be safe and legal. Being able to defend your freight measurements can mean the difference between state-by-state wide load permits and rerouting and a streamlined transport.
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1. TEXAS
Most common transported items are products derived from petroleum and coal, electronics, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, and agriculture.
2. california
Most common transported items are airplane components, electric cars, rough diamonds, telecommunications equipment, almonds, petroleum liquids, and integrated circuits.
3. Georgia
Most common transported items are automobiles, ores, slag, construction equipment, iron and steel.
4. Illinois
Most common transported items are light petroleum oils, large vehicles, medicines, telecommunications equipment, mobile phones, airplane components, and grain.
5. Ohio
Most common transported items are airplane components, soybeans, mid-sized cars, big cars, motor vehicle parts, engines, and small cars.
6. Pennsylvania
Most common transported items are coal, pharmaceuticals, liquid propane, aviation components, motorbikes, and palladium.
7. Indiana
Most common transported items are various automotive gearboxes, gas-powered trucks, aviation components, big vehicles, construction equipment, and diesel engines.
8. Tennessee
Most common transported items are whiskey, as well as medical, surgical, dental, and veterinary tools, big automobiles, aviation parts, mid-sized automobiles, cotton, orthopedic devices, and portable computers.
9. North Carolina
Most common transported items are airplane parts, pharmaceuticals, wood pulp, bombs and mines, and diesel engines.
10. Missouri
Most common transported items are gasoline-powered vehicles, aviation components, soybeans, pharmaceuticals, lead ores, refined copper, and pig chops (frozen)..
Call Scott for reliable heavy haul shipping in all 50 states!
606-669-4402
Anything larger than 8.6 feet in width, taller than 13.6 feet in height, longer than 53 feet, or that exceeds 80,000 pounds of gross weight is generally considered a heavy load. Heavy haul transport includes heavy equipment, wide loads, and oversized freight.
“Anything larger” certainly opens the door for some pretty incredible hauls at times! Here’s a few of the most notable heavy hauls in history...
Heaviest “heavy haul” ever recorded: 4,800 ton water desalination unit. The tractor-trailer truck used for this had 172 axles!
The largest item ever “heavy hauled” on the roads of Britain: power station transformer weighing 640 tons. It was moved at 4 miles per hour which, of course, led to several traffic snarls.
High-tech transit: The muon g-2 electromagnet storage ring had to be transported in one piece and could not be tilted more than a few degrees without causing irreparable damage to the complex wiring.
Space shuttle moved: When it was retired, Endeavor was moved 12 miles to the California Science Center. It took up six lanes of traffic and drew a crowd of onlookers.
Big even for Texas: Over a span of 25 days, the Texas Department of Transportation moved an 850 ton turbine engine. They had to create a custom rig to haul it which spanned the length of a football field.
Tubular tower: Two Heat Transfer Reactor Experiment (HTRE) reactors were hauled to a visitor centre at the Idaho National Laboratory in 1988, where they remain today.
Getting a boost: A prototype Saturn V rocket was moved from the manufacturing engineering laboratory to a new stand at Nasa’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, in March 1965.
Hero’s story on display: The fuselage of US Airways flight 1549 that pilot Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger miraculously landed on the Hudson River was towed to the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, NC.
Call Scott for reliable heavy haul shipping in all 50 states!
606-669-4402
Sometimes you will see flatbeds and stepdecks using heavy duty tarps. This keeps the commodity protected from rain, snow, wind, road debris, and sometimes even thieves.
The most common commodities that are regularly tarped are lumber and steel. Due to how common that is, the tarp types are named after them but not restricted to use on them.
Lumber Tarps
These are used to protect lumber and any other commodity suited for its size and features. They are generally 24’ x 27’ and two will cover a 48’ trailer stacked 8’ high.
They have curtain that covers the front of the load. The second tarp can be turned around so that the curtain covers the back of the load.
Because these tarps can weigh over 100 lbs, anything larger would be too heavy to handle. This is why you use them in pairs.
Steel Tarps
Generally 16’ x 24’ steel tarps can be used on all kinds of commodities other than steel. They are basically designed for loads that don’t take up much volume so there’s less tarp material.
Smoke Tarps and Other Tarp Sizes
If a smaller tarp is needed to protect the load from dust, smoke and soot, these 10’ x 12’ tarps can be put over the front of the load. It can also be used to replace the flap of a lumber tarp.
Custom sizes can also be made to suit your needs.
Call Scott for reliable heavy haul shipping in all 50 states!
606-669-4402
During certain times of year (September through May) many states have “chain laws” in effect. This means that when you pass through these states while the chain laws are in effect, you must have chains on your tires.
You can be sure these laws are in effect when snow is covering the road especially on roads with ascending grades. But so as not to guess, drivers are notified via 511 traveler information, electronic message signs and other media outlets.
States That Have Chain Laws
Each of these states have different laws so follow the link to their respective DOT website for specific information
Call Scott for reliable heavy haul shipping in all 50 states!
606-669-4402
Because winter presents road hazards like no other time of the year, heavy haul trucking companies must be extra skillful in providing safe and effective hauling. It is crucial that you consider and understand these hazards when hiring any heavy haul trucking company.
1. Extreme Cold
This is, by far, the greatest hazard to heavy haul trucking in the winter. Choose a heavy haul trucking company that has temperature control for the goods they are hauling. At the very least, make sure their trucks are heavily insulated so as to protect your goods from freezing temperatures.
2. Bad Weather That Affects Driving Conditions
If a heavy haul trucker is driving in or through areas where the winter months include snow and ice, you can be sure they will run into bad weather somewhere along the way. Though they are professionals, even the best of drivers can have problems driving in hazardous conditions. If you still need to risk shipping in the winter, it will probably take longer.
3. Holiday Traffic Issues
During the holiday months of November and December, the roads are often packed with people shopping and traveling to see friends and family. This means that heavy haul truckers may run into traffic jams and other unforseen complications caused by too many people on the road.
Prepare for Potential Problems
Heavy haul trucking in the winter can be done, but it requires that potential problems are prepared for in advance. It also requires using the right heavy haul trucking company! Call us anytime at Scotts. We are happy to discuss your concerns. Rest assured, we take all precautions possible to protect your wide load.
