An oversize load (or overweight load) is a load that exceeds the standard or ordinary legal size and/or weight limits for a specified portion of a road, highway and/or other transport infrastructure.

   

    A vehicle which exceeds the legal dimensions usually requires a special permit which requires extra fees to be paid in order for the oversize/overweight vehicle to legally travel on the roadways. The permit usually specifies a route the load must follow as well as the dates and times during which the load may travel.

 

    In the United States, an oversize load is a vehicle and/or load that is wider than 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m). Each individual state has different requirements regarding height and length (most states are 13 ft 6 in), and a driver may be required to purchase a permit for each state he/she will be traveling through. In many states, a load must be considered "nondivisible" to qualify for a permit (e.g., an object which cannot be broken down into smaller pieces), although some states allow divisible loads to be granted permits.

 

    Knowing these oversize/overweight laws from state to state can be confusing and pose special challenges for shippers.

 

    There are times when a shipment is both over-dimensional as well as overweight, which will require special routing.

 

    Here at Heavy Iron Haulers LLC we have the knowledge and expertise to offer innovative solutions for your shipping challenges. We provide safe and well maintained specialized trucks and trailers that can accommodate the size of what you’re shipping. We will also purchase and provide the proper required special permits issued by the various governmental agencies, States, and municipalities through which your shipment will travel.

photo 1

 

 

 

    Some oversized/overweight and/or over height loads require the use of one or more pilot cars.

 

     A pilot car is often called an escort vehicle, flag car or bucket truck escort and is a marked vehicle with warning signs and  strobe lights that operates in front of or behind a large vehicle that exceeds normal vehicle dimensions in height, length, width and/or overhang. The escort vehicle protects the oversize load, and warns and protects other roadway users.

 

    Heavy Iron Haulers LLC has experienced in house pilot car drivers who drive newer and well maintained equipment outfitted with state of the art 2 way radio  equipment that provides communications with the driver at all times.

 

    Because Heavy Iron Haulers LLC is dedicated to safety first, our Pilot Car / Escort drivers help to:

  •           
  •            Make highways safer for the drivers of the oversize load and public
  •   
  •            Prevent damage to the roadway system
  •           
  •            Prevent damage to the loads that are being transported
  •           
  •            Reduce delays in the normal flow of traffic
  •           
  •            Minimize the increases in insurance costs though preventing crashes
  •           
  •            Remove aerial obstructions like traffic signals or signs for safe transport of overheight cargo
  •     Knowing how to deal with the legal considerations, permits and the technical challenges of pulling a heavy haul load is crucial to having a successful oversized load shipment.