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.
