How to Safely Ship Heavy Haul Cargo

Heavy haul shipping takes careful planning, packaging and loading to ensure a successful and safe journey over the road. After all, there’s no room for error with extreme cargo that, if not loaded properly, can cause destruction, injury and loss of money.

Keep these safety tips in mind for planning your next heavy haul shipment.

It starts with the RIGHT trailer

Part of heavy haul shipping involves being precise with the measurements and weight of your cargo, and having an in depth understanding of over-dimensional products doesn’t hurt either. This is incredibly  important when it comes to choosing the right trailer for your shipment, as there are numerous options to choose from. Some of the most common trailers include:

• Drop deck trailer
• Gooseneck trailer
• Lowboy trailer
• Flatbed trailer

Hire a wide load shipping company

Perhaps you’d prefer to leave intensive plan and prep to the experts by hiring a wide load shipping company. This move gives you some room to breathe- a bit- but, remember to keep these considerations in mind when choosing a reputable company.

• What are the terms of payment?
• How long has the company been in business?
• Any recent injuries or claims?
• How much cargo insurance is available and will that cover your shipment?
• Does the company provide the necessary transportation equipment that you need?

Know the rules & get the permits

You’re preparing to ship something massive and potentially dangerous, so start getting acquainted with the various federal, intrastate and local regulatory requirements for heavy haul along the supply chain- rules vary from state border to border. Make sure to obtain the necessary permits for commercial vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds GVWR. Anything over 102” wide will need an oversize trucking permit.

• USDOT Number
• Trip and fuel permits

At America 1 Logistics we specialize in heavy haul shipping. Contact us and we’ll give you a free quote on services.