Traveling With An Overweight Load? - 5 Tips To Help Guarantee A Smooth Trip
Posted on: 24 May 2017
On occasion professional truck drivers will be asked to haul a load that is either overweight or too large to fit on the inside of a trailer. If you have ever seen a truck carrying the various sections of a modular home down the highway, you might understand why an overweight auto permit would be necessary. Trucks hauling oversized loads are a bit more tricky to maneuver and coming to a complete stop requires a lot more effort. If you have upcoming plans on hauling an oversized load from one location to another use these five essential tips for avoiding tickets, accidents and hitches so you can have a safe trip.
1. Weigh Your Load Before Traveling - You may be able to get your overweight auto permit by filling out a request and filing it with the proper state highway department, but there will still be restrictions on the weight and size load that you can haul. Weighing and measuring your load before you begin your trip will help you to travel without the risk of being pulled over and cited for violations.
2. Get Your Overweight Auto Permit In Advance - Don't wait until your truck is loaded and ready to go to apply for an overweight auto permit. Although most states quickly approve permits, they aren't always issued instantaneously. Since overweight auto permits can be applied for well ahead of anticipated trips you should go ahead and secure yours as soon as you have a solid date in mind for travel. For help with permitting, contact a company like Central Permits, Inc.
3. Know The Rules Of The States You'll Be Driving Through - In some states, an oversized auto permit will only be issued if the driver has secured an escort. This could mean that you need to request the presence of state police or you might need to hire a full fleet of escort vehicles. In any case, be sure to get permission to travel with your oversized load through any and all states you are planning to travel through.
4. Drive Only During Hours Approved For Overweight Loads - Since trucks carrying overweight loads can impede on traffic, you will likely find that you are only permitted to travel during specific hours. Be certain that you are prepared to chart out your travel schedule according to the hours that are available to overweight auto permit holders and account for possible traffic delays so you're not stuck on the road at the wrong time.
5. Consider Tolls, Tunnels And Bridges - Since tolls are generally tabulated based on vehicle size and class, you can expect to pay a little extra when carrying an oversized load. Check to see that overweight loads are allowed to travel on the highways, tolls, bridges, and tunnels you have on your planned route.
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