4 Tips for Shipping Heavy Haul

There are many moving parts for organizing successful heavy-haul shipping, and it can be dangerous if not done properly. Therefore, we’ve listed some tips that will keep your equipment safe during transport, help save you from paying extra costs, and keep the process on track.

What qualifies as Heavy Haul?

The short answer is that although some dimensions can vary depending on the state, typically anything past 8.6 feet in width, taller than 13.6 feet in height, longer than 53 feet, or exceeds 80,000 pounds of gross weight is generally considered a heavy load.

This can mean many things, but heavy haul commonly pertains (but is not limited) to:

• Farm & construction & manufacturing equipment

• building materials

• vehicles

• machinery

Tip 1: Understand your scope

What does this mean?

Getting details like:

• precise load dimensions: width, height, and length

• Load weight

• travel distance

Now, you can plan project logistics, such as determining the type of equipment you’ll need. From there, you’ll be prepared to budget and schedule accordingly. Additionally, identify loading requirements—does the freight require using a crane? Does the order require pilot cars or escort vehicles? Do regulations require the use of specific materials, such as a tarp, braces, or tie-down points?

With this information ready, you can obtain the proper permits required to transport your freight legally. Permits can be the migraine of the logistics industry depending on the state. Your trucking company should know if there are state or county permits that you need to apply for.  Adhering to rules and regulations helps you avoid unwanted fines and fees and ensures safe and successful heavy hauling.

Tip 2: Know your trailer types

One of the most essential aspects of heavy haul trucking is selecting the right trailer for the job.

These trailers are split into axle categories—specifically, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, and 19. The higher the axle, the more weight the truck can transport.

Some of the most common trailer types include:

• Flatbeds: Due to their versatility, flatbeds are some of the most used trailers. Flatbeds have a maximum freight weight of 48,000 pounds and measure anywhere from 48 to 53 feet in length.

• Step-deck trailers: Step-deck trailers are a type of flatbed trailer with two levels: upper and lower. Step decks can fit heavy equipment that wouldn’t fit a standard flatbed trailer due to height restrictions. These trailers may have ramps for easy loading versatility and can hold a maximum weight of 48,000 pounds.

• Stretch deck trailers (single & double drop): These are specifically designed to haul long loads that a traditional flatbed or step deck cannot handle. Both can handle around 40,000 pounds and can stretch to a length between 30 to 65 feet.

• Lowboy trailers: Lowboy trailers have two drops in the height deck: one after the gooseneck and one before the wheels. Unlike other trailers, lowboys can carry loads up to 12 feet tall and more extensive equipment like bulldozers.

• Removeable gooseneck trailers (RGNs): RGNs are optimal for carrying tall and long freight. The front is detachable, and the bottom can lower all the way to the ground to create a ramp. The amount of axles that the trailer is set up with will determine the amount of weight the trailer is able to haul.

Tip 3: Have a plan D

Even with the best planning and preparation, there may be unexpected hurdles. When those issues arise, you need to be able to act quickly.  Does the truck need to be re-routed? Did you remember to create a backup plan for these sorts of things?

It is always good to hope for the best but expect the worst for any delivery that hits the road. This is especially true when you’re shipping massive equipment and construction materials. The more you know, the better measures you can take to avoid those potential issues.

Tip 4: Use Sparrow Logistics

When you are moving heavy equipment, you want a reliable logistics partner. Skilled 3PL’s bring technological expertise and networks to the table to make the shipping, loading, and unloading processes smoother. 3PLs can assist businesses and shippers with different supply chain levels, thus helping reduce inefficiencies.  

There are three ways that Sparrow excels as a partner:

• We focus on the experience from start to finish.

• We vet our carriers.

• We are experts in heavy haul and expedited shipping

In an industry where lack of communication with clients and carriers remains a prevalent roadblock, we believe that blending honesty, transparency, and positivity is the recipe for providing an incredible experience— every time.

Shipping with confidence

The shipping process can be chaotic and requires much diligence. Unfortunately, we’ve seen how profit can reflect the amount of effort given. Sparrow disagrees with that priority system. In an industry where lack of communication with clients and carriers is still tolerated, we believe that blending honesty, transparency, and positivity is the recipe for providing an incredible experience— every time— for everyone involved. This philosophy of rooting a strong customer service mindset into our shipping solutions process is what we believe sets us apart, and we hope you agree.  

Looking for more tips on shipping heavy haul loads? Contact us today, and let’s hit the road together.