Over Dimensional Hauling – What is the Big Deal?

What is the Big Deal? 

Over-dimensional hauling is a bit of mystery for most customers that do not normally move loads that fall outside of the standard dimensions of flatbed freight. You might only do it a few times a year or you might be someone that hauls only over-dimensional freight. Regardless of your familiarity, this article is meant to be a resource to learn or act as a reminder.

The standard width of a highway lane is 12 feet. The standard height of freeway overpass is 14-16 feet. A typical flatbed is 48-53 feet in length with its deck being roughly 5 feet from the ground and a width of 8.5-feet. Therefore, any time your load and trucks overall dimensions exceed 53 feet in length, 8.5 feet in width and 13.5 feet in height, it is deemed oversize load. Obviously, that does not mean it cannot be shipped, you just need to find the right solution. 

Before starting down that path there a couple items you need to think about. Can the load be configured in a way that is safe and avoids it from exceeding the dimensions listed above? Furthermore, if the load is over-height only there are options such as Step Deck and RGN trailers whose dimensions allow for a legal haul. 

Over-dimensional Solutions:

Step Deck Trailers

A typical step-deck has a lower deck has 3.5 feet of ground clearance and an upper deck that is roughly 18-22 inches taller. That provides an additional 1.5 feet if your load happens to be up to 15 feet tall. However, there is a length restriction as the lower deck is typically only 37-42 feet in length. 

Image via overweightpermits.com

RGN & Lowboy Trailers

You see these trailers used in the hauling of equipment such as tractors, front-end loaders, and excavators. The lower deck has only 6 inches of ground clearance allowing your load to legally be up to 18’ tall. Again, on these trailers there is a length restriction of roughly 24-29 feet in length. 

Extendable Flatbed Trailers  

The ‘Stretch’ trailer has the exact dimensions of flatbed trailer but includes the ability to stretch out to 70-90 feet. This important for over-length loads for two reasons, permissible over-hang is generally only 3-5 feet, and this allows the load weight to properly be distributed throughout the trailer’s axles.

Image via midcosales.com

Stretch Step Deck Trailers

The ‘Stretch’ Step Deck has the exact dimensions of the standard Step Deck. However, like its flatbed counterpart it can stretch out to 60-80 feet. 

image via xlspecializedtrailer.com

Remote Steerable Axle Trailers

The Remote Steerable Axle Trailer is typically used to haul loads that exceed 100 feet. They are unique in that the load itself functions as the trailer and that the back axle is remote steered when making sharp turns. 

Now let us discuss some of the items that might affect cost to your job or the timing of delivery as these are often the most important pieces that a customer needs to know. 

1. Permits – If you are over-length, height, or width you will need permits. We mentioned standard dimensions above, but it is good to note that some of these things very state-to-state. The items required permitting is the intended route along with load dimensions, gross dimensions of truck and trailer as well axle weights and spacings. Permit costs obviously increase depending on how many over-dimensional boxes are ticked, how over-dimensional they are and the number of states your load will be traveling through. 

2. Hours-to-Run – Each State, Municipality and City is different. As permits are ordered the route that driver must take and hours he can run will be cited. Some States and Cities require only day-light hours to travel through them. Many do not allow for weekend travel over holidays. So be aware when scheduling around holidays. 

3. Escorts – Another item that varies dramatically state-to-state is the requirement of escorts. Most loads over ….. will require escort drivers. There are also some cases on extremely oversize freight that requires Police escorts by the state. 

4. Route Surveys – There are certain cases when a survey by the driver is required. The standard width of a highway lane is 12 feet. The standard height of freeway overpass is 14-16 feet. In case where the load is extremely oversized it is important that the driver run the route to ensure clearance and turning radius to safely make it to his destination. 

The goal of this article was educating and providing a first step when quoting a project or job. The logistical solutions can often make the difference in winning a project and having the options available that a customer requires is the first step. Please reach out if you have specific questions about an over-sized load you are looking to get moved. 

Service Driven

National Flatbed Solutions… Service Driven

We started National Flatbed Solutions to be a more service-based logistics company. All too often, we ran into situations where the phone was not picked up to inform us that a driver was running late or there was a problem with securing a load. Our goal at NFS is to keep you informed and problems at a minimum. We want you to know where your product is and exactly when it will be delivered. We want our customers to feel 100% satisfied with their experience after they place an order. We feel that positive outcomes and good service keep customers coming back. There is never a good time to deliver unsettling news in the logistics world. However, the earlier you can bring a problem to light, the faster you can come up with a solution.

CONSISTENT UPDATES

Most customers want to know... Was the load picked up? Was it delivered? It seems like a straightforward answer, but our aim is to be ahead of the question. All shippers are different, so we relay ‘shipping hours’ to the carrier and make sure to have an ETA for the driver. Following up on that ETA and relaying a confirmed time to the customer is the goal. The same situation applies to delivery. The ideal transaction allows for (4) updates – one for the ETA, another for arrival at the shipper, one for loaded and on the move with ETA to receiver and lastly one to report an on-time delivery! 

DELAYS – WHAT HAPPENED?

“What happened? “ Is a question we never want to ask; however, this is logistics. Open lines of communication between us, the carrier and the customer are crucial. We recognize that our customers time is important, and they rely on us to fix the problem/provide the best possible solutions. A favorite quote from a former co-worker was ‘Show me the baby—not the labor pain!’ That is what we want to provide to our customer. 

1. Late to Pick-Up/Delivery – As mentioned above, all shippers/receivers are different. Some require pick up appointments, some are first-come-first-serve. Some take a long time to load/unload, some are quick. All of this depends on them as well as the load. We first try to preemptively alleviate that issue by determining whether your delivery is time-sensitive or not. If it is, we relay that information to the carrier and the best option is chosen based on that information. If a delay still arises, we ensure that we are out in front of it, providing you with real-time information for a precise ETA.

2. A Breakdown – They are inevitable, whether it be a blown tire or something more serious. We want to let the customer know first, that there is a problem. After that we work on the solution. It might be as simple as roadside assistance and we will provide an updated ETA. It could also be more serious, and the truck must be taken into the shop. That can result in a more delayed ETA, but we always start with the solution of re-powering the load. Regardless of that outcome, we handle the lines of communication with the carrier and provide all the necessary information. 

In the end, logistics is an imperfect science. Delays are inevitable and service failures can happen, unfortunately. However, when we started this business the decision was to emulate those companies and carriers that we trust. To provide a level of customer service that we could be proud of, that was different from most. Our mission statement became extremely clear, we needed to deliver customer service unparalleled in supply-chain management, thinking first and foremost about the customer’s needs and goals, then acting in accordance.  

New Website Launch

Miles Ahead of the Rest.

St. Louis, MO, 5/11/2020 –National Flatbed Solutions LLC is proud to announce that it is launching a new company website. (nationalflatbedsolutions.com) This new website is designed to be a resource and convenient location that will allow the NFS team to establish and maintain relationships with potential, new, and existing customers as well as carriers and employees of NFS. We invite you to view the whole site by clicking the link below.

National Flatbed Solutions, LLC (NFS) is a 3PL Freight Company with over 129-nationwide asset-based carriers, with 22,000+ truck capacity. We specialize in providing flatbeds, step-decks, goosenecks, hot shots, stretch flats, remote steerable axle trailers and most other equipment for over-dimensional and legal shipping. Dedicated to deliver customer service unparalleled in supply-chain management, thinking first and foremost about the customers’ needs and goals, then acting in accordance.

“I’ve been on the other side of the transaction, working as a structural steel pipe salesman. When in that position I knew what mattered to me was being provided up-to-date information. Whether it be about delivery or a delay. That allowed me to service my customer,” said VP of Operations Bo Griggs. “We are excited to launch this new website as a tool for our current and potential customers. We will periodically provide industry news, tips, and insights to educate our customers and highlight the knowledge we have of the industry.”

National Flatbed Solutions LLC (NFS) originated from a family-owned Steel Pipe producer. National Flatbed was officially established in 2018 as a response to high volume of truckloads and the need for a customer service-oriented supply-chain management company. That along with our 15+ years of logistical experience created the perfect environment for an independent third-party logistics company.