What You Should Know About Oversized Loads Before You Hit the Road
Each state may have different requirements when it comes to what exactly constitutes a wide load when it comes to shipment. It is important to know the requirements for each state you will be traveling in if you will be crossing state lines. Due to the fact that the wide load requirements are rather similar in almost every state across the United States, if you need florida oversize permits, you’ll most likely need them in every state.
When you are going to move a flatbed load of any kind, you should know the precise weight and dimensions of what you are moving to make sure that you have the right equipment for the job that will help ensure that the load arrives safely and meets the expectations of the customer. It can be tricky to navigate the world of flatbed shipments, especially when hauling heavy equipment. In the United States, if a load or a vehicle is 8’6″ or wider, it is almost always considered a wide load. There are some things you need to consider when it comes to wide and oversized loads before you get on the road.
When is a load oversized?
When it comes to weight restrictions, they are usually applied based on the weight on each axle as opposed to the load. In some situations, you can avoid the oversized classification by simply arranging your load in a way that meets the weight requirements per axle on your vehicle. Usually, it’s not the weight that is the problem, it’s the width of the shipment itself. While shipments that measure more than 8’5″ wide are considered oversized, anything over 12′ sometimes requires a pilot vehicle or 2 to legally be allowed on the road. It’s up to the driver to make sure that they have the proper permits for the loads that they are responsible for. In most cases, if the load can be broken down in a way that would allow the shipment to not require oversized load status, an oversized permit will not be issued.
When are escorts required?
In the US, a lot of states will require oversized loads to be escorted by pilot vehicles. While many drivers think that these vehicles are just a way to make them of the oversized load on the road, pilot vehicles, also known as escort drivers, are there for the benefit of the driver of the flatbed that is hauling the load as well. They can let them know of any accidents or hazardous conditions ahead that may require the flatbed driver to take extra precautions.
What are the restrictions with escort drivers?
Not only will escort drivers need to be paid for their time, but they also will be given accommodations for their time off the road. However, there are restrictions when it comes to when they may even be operating. In most of the US, they may only be on the road during daylight hours and in some cases cannot operate during the weekend.