Posted on May 30, 2017
Truck Driver Requirements
Heavy haul carriers move countless overdimensional loads every month with minimal issues. However, even the most common and seemingly routine jobs can cause serious headaches. That’s why it is imperative to pay attention to all aspects pertaining to a overdimensional move, and why failure to do so can result in lost income, damaged equipment and dissatisfied customers.
Know Your Commodity
A certain degree of trust is placed in the information provided by the shipper regarding the commodity to be moved. With trust comes verification, and confirming info such as the makes, model numbers and weights of items to be shipped is a major role in that step. Photographs are especially beneficial for unique configurations or characteristics, and with the advent of smartphones, chances are someone will be able to take photos to help with load planning. For example, marine forklifts are traditionally quite heavy to allow them to lift and move boats without problem. Their relatively compact size can be deceiving, however, so due diligence is required to obtain true weights and dimensions. In this case, a simple phone call to the forklift manufacturer is the fastest way to get accurate and correct information.
Know Your Equipment
While a specific trailer may have the ability to handle the weight of your commodity, be sure that it is able to load, unload and support the item during transit. The main body of the marine forklift above weighs 46,500 pounds. While step decks exist that are capable of supporting that amount of weight, the step deck trailers ramps are typically not rated anywhere near overall load capacity. A 16,000 pound work truck would have no problems as the ramps will only be supporting 8,000 pounds at a time while each axle passes over the ramp. However, a 46,500 pound forklift which generally has a shorter wheelbase than the average work truck will easily transform the step deck’s ramps into scrap metal. Using a crane for loading may solve that problem, but if the trailer’s axles arent able to be positioned in accordance with the Federal Bridge Formula, its definitely the wrong trailer for the job.
Know Your Limits
Sometimes having a load, the correct equipment and a rate confirmation just isn’t enough. Whether its impending frost restrictions or a bridge unable to support the weight of your load requiring days of extra driving, occasional impediments exist that may derail the job. Careful planning and attention to detail is crucial to ensure that route surveys are correctly performed, the right number of escorts are booked and all required permits are on hand before the wheels ever start turning. Any glitch in the timing of any step along the way could spell disaster for that seemingly routine load. While “no” is an answer that carriers generally don’t like to provide, especially when it comes to new business, often its the smartest one to avoid potentially expensive oversights, setbacks and disappointments.
Working with oversized commodities comes with its own set of challenges and expectations. Enough important procedures and requirements exist in the planning and execution of such a move that warrant the selection of a carrier with sufficient experience in oversized and overdimensional transportation. Let ReliancePartners be that resource for your next move. Fill out the information in the blue “Free Freight Quote” box today and let ReliancePartners’s experienced freight consultants dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s required and necessary for a safe and successful oversized or overdimensional move.
Posted on May 11, 2017
Trucking Security Precautions
Whether it’s heavy haul or traditional over-the-road trucking, customers and carriers alike need to remain vigilant in their efforts to avoid, detect and prosecute criminals and scam artists whose goal it is to defraud, hold hostage and even steal loads. Basic, simple procedural changes may be all that is needed to prevent such attacks and ensure that the commodities being transported arrive safely and securely at their intended destination.
One practice is when a fraudulent carrier assumes an old motor carrier (MC) number. Whether stolen online or purchased from unscrupulous individuals, the criminal reaches out to brokers and customers to update their contact information. In other words, the crook tells the customer they’re Trucking Company XYZ just like before, but that they have a new phone number. When this occurs the unknowing shipper may begin contacting that illegal carrier for rates, or worse, for cargo transport.
Another common situation is referred to as reincarnated or chameleon carriers. A reincarnated carrier is one that has been shut down – generally as a result of safety issues – and quickly reopens under a new name. Whether its a carrier with an illegally-obtained MC number or a reincarnated chameleon carrier, any business performed with such companies is doomed to double- or triple-brokering, if not outright theft.
When entering into a new relationship with a carrier, an utmost priority should be ensuring that the carriers insurance is current and valid. Be sure to call the phone number listed on the carriers Certificate of Liability Insurance – whoever answers the phone should freely identify themselves as well as the name of their company, and should be able to answer questions and provide specific details relating to the carrier in question and their insurance levels.
Employing an insurance monitoring company is another way to help prevent criminal activity. Insurance monitoring companies typically work with thousands of insurance providers to check for, monitor and handle the status of applicable coverage and protection levels for their clients, helping to allow the customer to concentrate on the daily demands of running the business instead of constantly checking the insurance of all their various trucking partners on an ongoing basis.
It would be wise to place new carriers in a probationary status, allowing them to handle only one load at a time. This status could run concurrently with other requirements such as the submission of references, and would likely disappear after a certain number of successful deliveries. The carrier’s submission of broker or customer references should be a formality and will likely paint an accurate and current picture of the trucking company that can be used to assist in the overall vetting process.
Another way to obtain updated data about a carrier is to visit the US Department of Transportations Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website and use their Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system. This system is available at no charge and can be used to search the FMCSA website, order company safety profiles and obtain snapshots of trucking companies for a quick company summary. Their official website is located at http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
In today’s world of sophisticated crime rings, advanced methods have been created to defraud both trucking companies and their customers. Although most loads are transported without incident, additional safeguards must be implemented in order to stay one step ahead. Reliance Partners takes carrier compliance very seriously, vetting its partners in strict accordance with ISO 9001:2008 guidelines. While additional steps cause a slight delay in partnering with a new carrier, the alternative invites cargo fraud. Let Reliance Partners protect you and your cargo by calling us today at 877.668.1704.
