The first step in transporting an oversized load is contacting a heavy haul company. The
professionals have the equipment, knowledge and experience to transport a variety of
equipment, machinery and unique loads safety and on time. Sophisticated logistics are utilized
to track the load at every stage of its journey. Before engaging the services of a heavy haul
company, there are some things to consider.
Licensing
Before working with any heavy haul company, ensure they’re licensed to perform the task for
which they’re being hired. They must also be insured. It provides you with legal recourse if
something goes awry.
Time of Year
Like any industry, there are some times of the year that are busier than others. That means
rates will be more expensive and there may not be a tractor-trailer combination appropriate for
the load. Whenever possible, schedule your heavy haul project for the off season.
Destination
The destination of your load is important and will affect the timeline of the delivery. Drivers can
encounter a wide range of weather conditions ranging from torrential rain to blizzards that can
close roads. Wildfires are another hazard. When shipping overseas, oceanic conditions are
another concern.
Permits
A mountain of physical paperwork and digital documents are required. The volume increases if
your load is leaving South Florida to cross county and state lines, along with national borders.
Each state has its own unique list of permissions. A professional trucking company is familiar
with the permits needed and special requirements for things as simple as emergency
equipment mandated by each state.
Shipping and Pickup
Working with a licensed and insured heavy haul company has a variety of benefits. One of those
is being able to arrange for an appropriate vessel if shipping abroad. Depending on what’s being
delivered, they can also arrange for a shipping container to protect your cargo from ocean salt
water and spray. Transportation can also be arranged at the freight’s destination.

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From food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, fuel and livestock, the trucking industry keeps
products and raw materials flowing to destinations across the U.S. and beyond. A full 72
percent of all the freight moved across the U.S. is transported by truck. There are currently 3.36
million truck drivers in the U.S. that move 11.5 billion tons of freight per year.
Safe Arrivals
Virtually every industry depends on truck drivers in some way. Drivers work behind the scenes
to ensure refrigerated products to heating fuel for homes arrive safely and on time. Truck
drivers are professionals that undergo stringent training. They meet deadlines, spend a
significant amount of time away from family and friends, and navigate through an array of
weather conditions.
Connecting Communities
The trucking industry connects communities, allowing businesses to sell their products locally
and around the globe. Those connections enable businesses to employ millions of workers. The
dollars spent by those workers go to local economies. Commercial truckers paid billions in state
and federal taxes in 2022.
Emergencies
Whether it’s a wildfire or a hurricane, truck drivers are some of the first individuals on the
scene when a disaster strikes. They deliver supplies for first responders, hospitals and other
essential services. Truck drivers are considered essential workers. Approximately 10 percent of
drivers are veterans and 6 percent are women.
Infrastructure
Most people don’t think about infrastructure in connection with the trucking industry.
Thousands of roads and bridges have been constructed to facilitate truck deliveries and that
infrastructure is used by millions of ordinary motorists every day.
Supply Chain
Truckers are an integral part of the supply chain in the U.S. Drivers transport goods across the
nation, to ports for export to other countries, and across international borders. The trucking
industry contributes to the economy through multiple types of taxes. The delivery of goods by
truckers enables communities to grow and for people to live more convenient lives.

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Heavy haulers are called upon to transport some of the most interesting and unusual objects in
the world. Some of those loads are truly unique and historic in scope. It’s not just weight that
matters in a heavy haul. The difficulty level of a heavy haul transport also encompasses shape,
size, dimensions, and the delicacy of the object. They can also be dangerous.
Water Desalination Unit
Weighing in at 4,800 tons, a water desalination unit holds the record for the heaviest of all
time. It was performed by a company from Saudi Arabia. The trailer had 172 axles.
Power Station Transformer
Great Britain heavy haulers transported a power station transformer weighing 640 tons. It was
moved at a maximum speed of 4 mph and tied up traffic for days.
Space Shuttle
Retirement of the space shuttle Endeavor in 2012 required it to be transported from LAX to the
California Science Center. It stood 6 stories tall, took up 6 lanes of highway, and weighed
approximately 162,000 pounds at that time.
Turbine Engine
It took the Texas Department of Transportation 25 days to move a turbine engine weighing
850,000 tons the engine was the length of a football field and a custom trailer had to be
designed to move it 250 miles
Boulder
It took 1½ weeks at 10 mph to transport a 340-ton boulder from Riverside County, CA, to the
Los Angeles County Museum. The trailer had 176 axles and the boulder was part of an art
installation.
Generator Parts
Four 4,000-ton generator parts were hauled 850 miles from California to Utah. The custom
designed trailer required 192 axles and a 300-ft. bed.
Electromagnetic Ring

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Professional heavy haulers make transporting loads easy. In reality, it’s a complicated and
complex process that only looks easy due to the experience and expertise of the company. The
work that goes into preparing and transporting a heavy haul load is extensive.
Tractor-Trailer Combinations
The tractor and trailer that transports the load must be coordinated. The tractor must have the
power to accelerate with the load and maintain speed. The trailer is equally important. It must
be able to accommodate the load’s weight and length. Specialized trailers can lower a load
that’s too tall, allowing it to safely travel under overpasses and similar hazards.
Documentation
Heavy haul drivers can’t just waltz across county or state lines, or international borders. There’s
specific paper and digital documents that must be obtained before the load can begin its
journey. Complicating the process is that all states don’t have the same rules or requirements.
It can take time to obtain those permits, depending on the number of applications authorities
happen to be processing.
Depending on the load, it may also require special signage, lights and escort vehicles. There
may also be restrictions on the hours of the day it can be on the highway.
Preparation
Loads must be clean and secured to the trailer according to specific guidelines. Booms, blades
and buckets may need to be removed prior to leaving. There are multiple safety precautions
that the company will oversee to ensure the load is protected.
The Route
A professional heavy haul company will map the best route. The company takes into
consideration load limits and narrowness of bridges, the clearance on overpasses, if electrical
lines or lights will be impacted, and if police will be needed for any number of reasons. Roads
that are unable to handle the weight or width of the load, steep slopes, and hairpin turns are
factors in the route.
Traffic
Rush hour traffic, accidents, construction work, and congested roadways are all situations that
can delay deliveries. Natural disasters such as rock slides, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes,
and blizzards can also occur, depending on where the load is bound. Those situations can

require rerouting and professional heavy haulers use multiple types of sophisticated logistics to
route and track loads.

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Simply put, sloppy, negligent and unsafe heavy haulers typically don’t stay in business very long. The heavy haul companies that survive the test of time are those that take every possible safety precaution to preserve the integrity of their cargo, which also protects other drivers on the road. They have an elevated commitment to safety.

Safety

A safe and successful heavy haul requires accountability in every action taken, from the experience of drivers to investment in the latest technology that includes logistics and GPS tracking to ensure the safe delivery of cargo and drivers. Those measures also reduce costs for operations, insurance and equipment.

One of the most important aspects of safe heavy hauling are drivers that are highly trained, well-qualified, and safety oriented. They’re cognizant of the checks that must be performed before leaving any job. While Florida drivers typically don’t have to deal with icy conditions, those that do drive to colder climates have the necessary equipment to significantly reduce the potential for accidents to themselves, their trucks and cargo.

Safety also encompasses selecting the right trailer for any job, whether it’s hauling mining equipment, construction materials or agricultural machinery. The correct trailer for the specific heavy haul protects cargo and reduces the risk of accidents and injuries. The correct trailer will have the capacity to haul the weight without incident, while making the loading and unloading process as easy as possible.

Loads will be centered with an eye to the center of gravity and secured according to all pertinent specifications. The cargo will be able to travel safely over a myriad of terrains and through multiple types of weather conditions. Loads will be checked at every stop to ensure there’s been no shifting of the cargo, no inadvertent snafus in securement, and no tampering has been done to the load.

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Safety is always a priority when performing a heavy haul. Drivers know and understand the many things that can potentially occur. It’s a process that no heavy haul driver takes lightly. The following are four tips for drivers to ensure that every heavy haul project is safe and arrives on time.

Heavy Haul Export

Know the Load

Heavy haul drivers know every detail of their load. A critical aspect of every heavy haul is the dimensions and weight of the equipment, machinery or object they’re delivering. It means the difference between a heavy haul load and a super load. Those elements will affect the trailer that’s used to haul the cargo to the logistics of the route taken.

The Right Trailer

There are different types of trailers for a reason. The right trailer for the job ensures the safety of the cargo, other motorists, the ease with which it’s transported, and accommodates different heights, weights, lengths and widths of the object to be moved.

Permitting

There are some standard federal permits that are required, but each state also has specific permits that are needed. The scope of permitting increases when shipping overseas or across country borders. Some documentation must be presented in a paper form, while other permits are created digitally. Drivers may need escort drivers or special signage. Even the type of safety equipment a driver must carry can vary widely, depending upon the state.

Routing

The route that heavy haul drivers take must be planned carefully to ensure the load arrives on time and meets other types of deadlines. There are also bridges, overpasses, toll roads, high traffic areas, rough roads, and construction zones to consider. Depending on the load, drivers may only be allowed to travel during certain times of the day. The route that’s taken will affect the safety, time and cost of transporting the load.

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The trailers used for hauling construction equipment are highly specialized to accommodate the various sizes, shapes and weights involved. Having the right trailer for the cargo is essential to ensure the safe delivery of the load and other motorists on the road. Generally, the higher the profile and weight of the equipment, the more specialized the trailer requirements. The range of construction equipment is extensive and includes excavators, backhoes and pavers to trucks, loaders and track machines.

Construction Equipment Trailers

Hotshot

These trailers are used for smaller loads that are less than an entire truckload and when the cargo is time sensitive. They often have gooseneck hookups and are available in styles encompassing multi-level and low boy designs.

Step-Deck

A type of flatbed trailer, a step-deck has two levels. The upper deck is typically used for hauling detachable accessories such as plows and buckets. They’re often utilized to transport equipment such as cranes or bulldozers that won’t fit on a standard flatbed. They have built-in ramps to provide versatility and easy loading of the cargo. The trailers are also available in single stretch and double stretch configurations.

RGN

A removable gooseneck trailer (RGN) is used to transport freight with dimensions that are tall or long. The front portion is detachable, while the bottom can be lowered.to create a ramp for loading. Cargo can be driven, pushed or rolled onto the trailer.

Double Drop

Double drop trailers are sometimes called a lowboy. The deck dips in the middle to accommodate high profile equipment and bring taller equipment lower to the ground. The trailers are often used to transport different types of earth moving equipment. Cargo can be loaded from the back or sides. They’re available in fixed neck, fixed gooseneck and removable gooseneck to accommodate different deck lengths and weights. They have drop ramps for easy cargo loading and are available in extended configurations.

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Established in 1966 by an act of Congress, the Department of Transportation (DOT) became operational in April 1967. The stated purpose was to ensure “…a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people,” according to President Lyndon B. Johnson.

DOT

It was first under the pursue of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation. It’s now headed by the Secretary of Transportation and encompasses a variety of agencies and departments that includes the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Urban Mass Transportation Administration, and Federal Railroad. The DOT is responsible for aiding in the development and maintenance of the nation’s transportation system and the infrastructure to support it.

Former President Woodrow Wilson was the first to propose such an agency in 1921. The DOT grew out of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1944. The Act was designed to improve highway systems across the nation to facilitate and expedite the transportation of defense materials and resources during World War II. However, no funding for the initiative was approved. It wasn’t until the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1952 that funds were allocated specifically for construction of the interstate highway system.

The importance of the highway system received new attention by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Cold War. Routes of primary importance to the nation were identified, along with those connecting the U.S. to Canada and Mexico. The highway system was seen as an essential element in urban planning and contributed largely to social and economic change.

Today, the DOT is responsible for planning transportation projects, providing funding for them, and maintaining transportation infrastructure. It sets safety standards for all modes of transportation and regulates mobility and transportation along interstate highways. It also oversees and sets rules for air and rail traffic.

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Some heavy haul truckers are union members and some are not. Those that choose to do so are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). Some of the largest trucking companies are unionized, along with smaller trucking businesses. Truck drivers who are classified as independent contractors can’t join the union.

Truck Drivers

Labor unions in the U.S. date back to the 18^th century. They’ve been a driving force for better wages, benefits and working conditions. The IBT was officially formed in 1903 to represent horse-drawn team drivers, along with stable hands.

The history and nature of unions has been a rollercoaster ride since Congress passed the Motor Carrier Act of 1980. It deregulated the trucking industry and allowed more low-cost, non-union carriers to enter the industry, which decreased the power of unions.

Combined with that have been the union busting efforts of state governors to strip power from unions and private sector workers, along with bans against deducting union dues from paychecks, and prohibiting unions from participating in collective bargaining.

Current estimates are that only 2 percent of 3.6 million truckers are unionized, excluding government workers. Some trucking executives see unionization as the gateway to higher wages for truckers and lower profits for the company. Management of trucking companies say they’d rather take a “relationship building” approach with truckers.

For unionized long-haul drivers, the benefits can be worth the dues they pay. They include medical, vision and dental coverage, along with life insurance and long-term and short-term disability. Other heavy haul drivers prefer to negotiate for jobs and terms on their own.

Labor unions have been a topic of continuing contention in all industry sectors. There are some unionized individuals that have given away benefits, while others turned down unionization. Their rationale is that if they don’t have access to those benefits, other drivers shouldn’t either.

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The answer is complicated, depends on where the load is bound, and the size of the load. It can be confusing due to the different rules and regulations within each state. In general, a permit will be required anywhere across the U.S. if the load exceeds 8.5 ft. in width, 12.5 to 14.5 ft. in height, or 48 to 53 ft. in length.

Drivers can expect to need a permit for loads encompassing industrial equipment, cranes, and tractors. Permits will also be required for pre-fabricated homes and a variety of specialty items. Depending on the state, special flags or banners, lights and escort vehicles may also be a requirement.

Move Heavy Loads

There are federal rules that drivers must adhere to in addition to local laws. The first step is to determine the states, counties, and cities the load will be passing through. There may also be weight limit differences from state to state. All of those variables are extremely important, when drivers must cross bridges, go under overpasses, and drive on certain roads. The way the weight is distributed on the trailer will also affect the load.

In today’s modernized heavy hauler industry, drivers typically don’t have to pull their own permits – the trucking company will do it. The company will have a logistics department that’s knowledgeable in those issues and rules in different states. Different states may also have different guidelines as to how drivers obtain the needed permits, employ banners and lights, the number of escort vehicles, and even the hours of the day that drivers can legally operate the rig.

The wide range of state laws, combined with those of the Federal Department of Transportation, can be extremely confusing. All the laws are designed to facilitate efficient movement of all types of cargo, preserve roadways, and ensure safety for trucks and the thousands of passenger vehicles that share the road with heavy haulers.

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