7 Safety Tips for Transporting Oversized Loads

With large cargo often comes large transport challenges.

First and foremost would be ensuring the safety of the transporter and surrounding civilians.

The second challenge would be not breaking any legal requirements and local regulations.

The third would be delivering the cargo without any damage.

Here we'll provide seven tips on how to transport oversized loads in a safe manner.

1) Understand the Rules and Regulations

Drivers must be aware of weight restrictions and height limits.

You need to follow specific rules when transporting overweight freight loads or heavy equipment.

Every state, province, and county has its own definitions of what constitutes a heavy load and maximum weights, so check with your local authorities before attempting any hauling operation to ensure you comply with legal limits.

Generally, oversize load transport can be defined as one that is more than 8.5 feet wide, has a height between 8.5 feet to 13.5 feet or more, is about 50 feet long, or weighs more than 46,000 pounds.

Sometimes transporting oversize loads requires special permits. Driving without one can result in fines or penalties and, worse, a license suspension.

Issuance of permits may take time and require additional costs, so this would need to be considered before delivering an overweight shipment.

2) Secure the Cargo Properly

It's important to carry heavy loads securely. Many kinds of fasteners can be used, such as ropes, straps, friction mats, and binders.

However, some may be less than ideal for certain loads or equipment; therefore, truck drivers must be aware of the different tools available for each load, especially if it's oversized cargo.

Using the wrong equipment could damage the load or cause it to fall off the escort vehicle.

3) Avoid Driving in Poor Weather Conditions

Heavy weather conditions, such as strong winds, rain, snow, sleet, and hail, can make driving difficult. Many risks come with extreme weather, including a fastener becoming loose, lack of visibility, and the vehicle potentially losing control.

When combined with slippery roads, extra weight can mean braking distances are dramatically increased.

It's a good idea to check the weather forecast before you start your trip and find motels or rest areas on your route that you can stay in should bad weather occur.

4) Plan Your Route in Advance

Having a designated transport route lets you prepare for the trip better, such as knowing how much fuel would be needed, a better estimation of time of arrival, or what sorts of things you might encounter on the trip, such as steep hills, difficult terrain or certain road conditions.

There are actually integrated systems and software nowadays that can efficiently determine the best routes that would allow you to arrive at your destination in the least amount of time.

5) Distribute the Weight Evenly

The center of gravity of a vehicle is very important for its safety.

If your cargo is piled up high and there is too much weight on top, you are more likely to tip over because the vehicle's center of gravity would be off balance.

This is particularly dangerous when driving through bending roads or if you have to steer sharply to avoid a sudden obstacle.

Furthermore, too much weight on an uncentralized part of the vehicle could lead to unsafe handling.

For instance, under-loaded front steering axles, meaning that the load is too far to the rear, can mean the axle weight is too light and cause poor traction.

The cargo should be distributed as close to the ground as possible, whereby the heaviest or widest items are placed at the bottom of the container.

6) Complete all Inspections Before a Trip

There are several checks that you can do before you start your trip, which include a pre-inspection, a functional inspection, and a visual inspection.

One thing you could do is have a checklist of all of the things you'd need to inspect and mark them off as you go.

When you inspect your vehicle, here are some things to keep an eye out for:

• Any signs of damage anywhere, either from the vehicle itself or fasteners.
• Levelness of the vehicle; if it's tilting, there could be tire issues.
• The functionality of the brakes.
• Tire pressure.
• The functionality of the car system, such as the engine temperature and the gas meter.

7) Do Not Drive if You Are Unfit to Do so

Last but not least, is to ensure you're well enough to drive.

Hauling oversized loads is no easy feat. Therefore, you need to think clearly to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

One solution is to delay any trips if you are physically unwell. If you can't make any delays, it'd be good to have a co-driver monitor you and take cover when you feel like you can't continue driving.

This driver ideally must be experienced with transporting overweight cargo and familiar with the route. At the very least, they should at least be able to maneuver the vehicle safely and utilize online maps.

You also have to take adequate amounts of rest. You shouldn't drive if you feel sleepy or tired. It'd be good to remember where motels and rest stops are on your route, so you can pull over to take a break when needed.

Conclusion

To sum up, whenever you are about to transport an oversize shipment, please consider our seven tips to ensure safe handling, and you can reduce the risk of having a road accident or damaging the goods.

Make sure you understand the applicable local regulations to see if you'll need a permit for transporting oversized loads and check the weather forecast to avoid traveling in bad weather.

Always conduct inspections on the vehicle for any oddities that may need fixing and fasten your load in a proper manner that evenly distributes the weight.

Finally, being the driver, you must also be in good condition to safely transport heavy cargo.

At A1 Auto Transport, we understand the difficulties of transporting oversized loads. We'd be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have about transporting overweight cargo, as well as assist you in delivering them. Contact us anytime!