Safety Tips for Transporting Oversized Loads

When moving oversized loads, it's crucial to know what you're doing and how to do it securely. Mistakes can result in accidents and injuries.

Here are seven tips to help ensure your load gets where it needs to go without damaging yourself or others.

1. Plan Ahead for Heavy Truck Transport

Planning ahead will save you a ton of headaches during truck transport.

Whether you plan the route beforehand or make sure you know what to do once you arrive at your destination, there are many ways to ensure the process goes smoothly.

Here are some tips to keep in mind while transporting large vehicles:

Know Your Route Beforehand

If you’re driving long distances, it helps to plan out your route beforehand. This way, you won’t end up taking unnecessary detours, which could cause you to miss important stops along the way.

You might even want to consider using apps like Waze or Google Maps to give yourself a heads-up about road closures and accidents.

Keep an eye out for traffic conditions.

Road conditions are prone to change, especially in the winter. If you notice anything unusual, such as potholes or debris on the roads, let your driver know immediately.

They’ll appreciate knowing about potential hazards sooner rather than later.

Be Prepared for Construction Zones

Construction zones can slow down traffic and add extra costs to your trip. If you see one coming up ahead, take note and prepare accordingly.

For example, if you’re carrying a trailer full of furniture, you might want to park off the side of the road.

Otherwise, you could risk damaging your load or getting stuck in the middle of the lane.

What to Check Before You Leave

Examine local, state, and federal laws and regulations before departing. This includes checking road conditions, weather forecasts, traffic alerts, and anything else you might want to know about traveling to your destination.

Avoid certain roads and routes if they have low bridges or hang wires. If you see something like this, don't drive over it. It could cause damage to your vehicle and it could injure someone walking along the side of the road.

2. Load Correctly Using the Right Equipment

Before departure, loads must be secured and evenly distributed within the truck trailer. Loading docks are dangerous places; make sure you load correctly. Truckers should know how to load trailers safely.

Use the Right Heavy Hauler Truck

When it comes to hauling, there are many types of trucks and trailers to choose from. In actuality, there are more than 200 different kinds of trucking equipment on the market.

And while some people think that bigger is better, others believe that smaller is better. But what happens if you need to transport a large, heavy object?

You may need to hire or purchase a larger hauler to cope with your oversized load.

The best way to determine whether you need a large vehicle is to look at how much weight you are trying to move.

If you are moving a lot of material around your facility, then you probably don't need a small tractor.

On the other hand, if you are carrying just a few items around, then you may be able to fit everything into a medium-sized truck.

There are three main categories of heavy haulers: semi-trucks, dump trucks, and flatbed trucks.

Semi-trucks are usually used to transport cargo across long distances. They typically carry loads ranging from 10,000 pounds to 50,000 pounds.

Dump trucks are designed to pick up and load materials from ground level.

Flatbed trucks are frequently utilized to transport cargo and they can are great for carrying oversized loads.

3. Work With Experienced Drivers

These guidelines are enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Additionally, each state has its own set of laws covering driver requirements, operation hours, and record keeping.

When it comes to hiring experienced truck drivers, you don't want to take chances. You're responsible for making sure that your drivers are qualified and skilled enough to handle heavy loads safely.

Here are some tips for keeping everyone safe while hauling loads:

Train your truckers

Before assigning a trucker to haul freight, make sure he or she knows how to operate the rig properly.

This includes knowing how to load and unload cargo correctly, driving within legal speed limits, staying alert during long trips, following traffic laws, and avoiding distractions such as cell phones.

Be prepared

Make sure your drivers are well-prepared for their routes. For example, they should know where they'll be stopping along the way, whether they'll be taking breaks, and what type of fuel they'll use.

They should also be aware of weather conditions and road hazards, including construction zones, bridge outages, and detours.

4. Familiarize With Regulatory Guidelines and Procedures

The federal government regulates interstate trucking under three separate statutes — the Motor Carrier Act, the Hours of Service regulations, and the Driver Management Regulations.

These rules are enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In addition, each state has its own set of rules regarding hours of operation, driver qualifications, and record keeping. All states require drivers to carry proof of insurance, and some states mandate drug testing.

State laws apply to large trucks carrying cargo within a single state. For example, California requires drivers to hold Class A CDLs and pass a vision test.

States also regulate the number of hours per day that drivers may operate a commercial vehicle.

5. Get All Necessary Permits

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires drivers to obtain all necessary permits prior to transporting any type of oversized load, including those exceeding 102 inches wide and eight feet long.

These loads are referred to as "oversize."

Permits are required for each driver operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), regardless of whether the CMV is carrying an oversized load.

Drivers must know what they are doing when transporting oversized loads, in addition to obtaining a permit.

6. Know and Use the Right Special Markings

Oversize loads are common during the summer months, especially around Labor Day weekend. They often include large items like boats, cars, motorcycles, RVs, and even tractor trailers.

These oversized loads are marked with orange triangles or signs indicating a potential hazard. In addition to being larger, oversize loads usually weigh more than normal vehicles.

This extra weight makes it harder for smaller vehicles to handle safely.

The most important thing you can do to avoid accidents involving oversized loads is to know what kinds of markings are required.

As long as you're following the laws, there shouldn't be anything stopping you from carrying oversized loads across state lines.

However, keep in mind that some states have stricter regulations regarding oversized loads.

For example, California requires that all oversized loads be secured to prevent them from falling off the trailer.

Common Special Markings

A common special marking includes 12-inch square orange or red flags. These are used to indicate where a vehicle is parked. Typically, they are positioned along the side of the road.

A large banner with a yellow reflective backdrop is often seen during daylight hours. This indicates that parking is not permitted. At night, it might be illuminated with red light bulbs.

7. Perform a Pre-Inspection

Before loading any oversized load onto your truck, perform a pre-inspection. Make sure that:

• The load will fit properly inside your truck.
• There aren’t any loose objects that could cause injury.
• You've checked the brakes, steering, suspension, tires, lights, and other components.
• Objects that may become projectiles.
• Items that could get caught in moving parts.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many intricate details you need to know before transporting oversized loads. It would be best if you worked with the correct business.

The good news is A-1 AT is the top supplier of all carrier services in the United States. Our expert team is dedicated to providing the best service possible to our clients.

Additionally, we offer promotions and affordable prices both domestically and internationally.

Complete our FREE online quote form to receive a quick quote via email. Contact us right away to speak with a transportation expert. We're glad to hear from you.