Heavy haul trucking involves moving large and/or over-sized items. The weight of the items being hauled is one factor that is taken into consideration when permits are granted for these large loads.

 

Special permits are required for heavy-haul loads

Extraordinary load approvals are required when a heavy-haul truck exceeds 64,000 kg on non-approved overload routes. Any heavy-haul truck with a load that exceeds 85,000 kg must receive extraordinary load approval regardless of the roads it will use.

A non-reducible load permit is given when a heavy-haul truck is overweight and has a load that cannot be reduced into smaller shipments. To qualify for a non-reducible load permit, the load must meet one of three requirements. The first is that the load cannot be separated because doing so would destroy its value. The second is that the load would take more than eight hours to dismantle. The final requirement is that dividing the load would cause the vehicle to be significantly underweight.

Other permits might be required depending on what is being moved. A professional trucking company can manage the details of heavy haul trucking with relative ease.

 

Safety measures change with heavier loads

It is easy to get caught up on paperwork requirements when considering how to move heavy loads. However, one of the most important things customers should consider when hiring a trucking company is safety. The drivers and the company should be extremely well-versed in managing overweight loads to prevent injury to the load, other drivers and the truck and driver themselves.

Breaking time is significantly longer for trucks than other types of vehicles. The road length may need to be longer than two football fields in order to come to a full stop. The weight of the load can alter this braking distance. The driver must be fully aware of the braking distance in relation to weight before getting on the road.

Safety does not only refer to driving. Loads that exceed standard weight limits must be secured according to their size, type, and weight. Loads must be securely tied with ropes, chains or netting depending on the nature of the shipment. Any tarps that are used on the heavy haul load must be securely tied as well. Losing a load that is not properly secured would be both dangerous and expensive, but a tarp that is not secure can cause visibility problems or all drivers on the road.

 

Heavy haul loads may cost more to operate

The cost of moving oversized loads may be more than the cost to move standard shipments. This is due to the fact that additional permits are required and more safety measures must be in place. In addition, heavy haul loads use more fuel to reach their destination.

Trucking companies that specialize in heavy haul loads will use several factors when determining the cost of the shipment. Along with the standard shipping costs, the trucking company must consider the cost of labor and materials. Heavy haul truck drivers are highly specialized and trained in their field. These drivers must be certain to drive safely and within the rules of the road. A mistake with a heavy haul load can carry a fine of thousands of dollars. Likewise, heavy loads often need additional laborers to help with loading and unloading. The number of laborers needed may increase with the weight of the load.

Another factor that is used when determining the cost is the material needed. Objects with significant weight may need forklifts or cranes for loading and unloading. In addition, the cost of insurance and packing materials can increase the bottom line.