Oversize Load: A Guide to State Regulations on Shipping Weights

The trucking industry is responsible for hauling 11.4 billion tons of cargo in 2019. That includes everything from groceries, clothing, and pretty much every type of good you can think of.

Do you need to transport a heavy load across the country? Whether you do it yourself or hire a trucking company you need to know about the oversize load regulations in the United States.

By understanding the limits, you can save yourself time and energy and have your shipment sent the right way. Read on to learn what oversize load limits are and how you can find a tricking company to handle them.

What Is an Oversize Load?

The regulations of oversize loads do vary from state to state. Fortunately, they don’t vary by much. The federal limits list that the weight is 80,000 pounds. That includes the cargo, truck, and trailer.

The height is 162 inches (13’6”), and the width is 102 inches (8’6”). The maximum length is 75’.

Anything over that requires shipping permits and possibly an escort to alert other drivers on the road. You should check with the regulations in each state and see if the states allow a multi-state permit application.

How can you tell if your shipment is oversized? These weighbridges are designed for that purpose. Not only do you have to measure the height and weight of the load, but you need to know how much the shipment weighs overall.

You can calculate the total weight of the truck and then calculate the weight per axel. You could find that you’re under the total weight limits but over the per axle weight limits or vice versa.

You don’t want to get caught with an oversize shipment outside of transportation regulations. That can result in late shipments, jail time for you and/or your driver, and heavy fines for the company responsible.

Not only that, you can lose public trust, which can destroy your reputation.

Finding a Trucking Company to Handle Heavy Loads

Once you realize that there are limits as to what you can ship yourself, you may find that you need to work with a trucking company. There aren’t a lot of shipping companies that handle heavy loads.

That’s because shipping heavy loads require special equipment designed to handle the loads. A standard truck and trailer could break down under the stress of a heavy load.

The three things you should look for in a shipping company are experience, service, and logistics services. Look for companies that have a good reputation and solid track record with the heavy haul and oversize load shipments. Moreover, various companies also offer to backload services as well, so make sure to choose the right ones with reasonable Backload Quotes if you are looking for such services.

Ask prospective companies who your point of contact is for your shipment. If there’s a customer service department, then ask when they’re available and how to reach them.

Shipping Oversize Load Cargo

There’s a lot to consider when you’re shipping an oversize load across the country. You have federal regulations and state regulations. It helps that they don’t vary by much.

You should check with each state along the route or work with a shipping company that knows the shipping laws in each state.

Head over to the Service and Business section of this site for the more helpful content.

Oversize Load: A Guide to State Regulations on Shipping Weights

 

The trucking industry is responsible for hauling 11.4 billion tons of cargo in 2019. That includes everything from groceries, clothing, and pretty much every type of good you can think of.

Do you need to transport a heavy load across the country? Whether you do it yourself or hire a trucking company you need to know about the oversize load regulations in the United States.

By understanding the limits, you can save yourself time and energy and have your shipment sent the right way. Read on to learn what oversize load limits are and how you can find a tricking company to handle them.

What Is an Oversize Load?

The regulations of oversize loads do vary from state to state. Fortunately, they don’t vary by much. The federal limits list that the weight is 80,000 pounds. That includes the cargo, truck, and trailer.

The height is 162 inches (13’6”), and the width is 102 inches (8’6”). The maximum length is 75’.

Anything over that requires shipping permits and possibly an escort to alert other drivers on the road. You should check with the regulations in each state and see if the states allow a multi-state permit application.

How can you tell if your shipment is oversized? These weighbridges are designed for that purpose. Not only do you have to measure the height and weight of the load, but you need to know how much the shipment weighs overall.

You can calculate the total weight of the truck and then calculate the weight per axel. You could find that you’re under the total weight limits but over the per axle weight limits or vice versa.

You don’t want to get caught with an oversize shipment outside of transportation regulations. That can result in late shipments, jail time for you and/or your driver, and heavy fines for the company responsible.

Not only that, you can lose public trust, which can destroy your reputation.

Finding a Trucking Company to Handle Heavy Loads

Once you realize that there are limits as to what you can ship yourself, you may find that you need to work with a trucking company. There aren’t a lot of shipping companies that handle heavy loads.

That’s because shipping heavy loads require special equipment designed to handle the loads. A standard truck and trailer could break down under the stress of a heavy load.

The three things you should look for in a shipping company are experience, service, and logistics services. Look for companies that have a good reputation and solid track record with the heavy haul and oversize load shipments.

Ask prospective companies who your point of contact is for your shipment. If there’s a customer service department, then ask when they’re available and how to reach them.

Shipping Oversize Load Cargo

There’s a lot to consider when you’re shipping an oversize load across the country. You have federal regulations and state regulations. It helps that they don’t vary by much.

You should check with each state along the route or work with a shipping company that knows the shipping laws in each state.

Head over to the Service and Business section of this site for the more helpful content.

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