The size of the item to be shipped determines the need for flags or lights on the tractor or trailer. Typically, red flags and yellow lights are required for oversized loads to ensure visibility for other vehicles. Travel companions accompanying an oversized shipment often need to have flags and/or lights. *Note: For U.S. states, maximum height varies. East of the Missouri River is 13 feet and 6 inches or 4.1148 meters and west of the Missouri River is 14 feet or 4.2672 meters. Alaska`s maximum elevation is 15 feet, or 4,572 meters. This is just a rule of thumb and it is not accurate. For example, Oklahoma is 13′6″ or Colorado and Nebraska are 14′6″. Some designated routes are also approved for additional elevations. Be sure to research the laws before attempting to ship oversized or heavy items.
Legal shipping can be difficult. If the height and load of your low-loader are slightly above the legal limits, consider buying or renting a low-deck trailer. A drop-down deck trailer can be less than 2 feet tall, while a standard flatbed truck is 5 feet. With this difference, larger shipments have ample additional customs clearance, which can prevent additional permits. For example, the legal height in Louisiana is 14 feet on designated highways, but 13 feet 6 inches on all other roads. What are “other routes” and “designated roads” and when should drivers pay the most attention to? In general, the maximum permissible load width is 8.5 feet (102 inches), and the maximum height limit is also 102 inches. The legal length is typically 48 to 53 feet and the maximum weight is about 46,000 pounds. Some trucks may be harder to scale, but 46,000 pounds is usually the norm. If you follow the general 13-foot-6-inch guideline, your vehicle may be restricted on certain routes. Always check with national and local authorities before traveling to make sure the maximum height of the trailer is within legal limits. There are also plenty of tools for drivers to help them plan their trip, such as apps and websites that allow you to set a route based on your load level. If you are a driver, you always know where to find the height of your trailer.
Trailer heights are clearly marked on the edge of the trailers, allowing the driver to easily see the height when approaching potentially dangerous bridges. Loads that exceed both the maximum height and maximum width of the trailer may also incur other costs. There are federal regulations regarding width and weight that often apply to heavy cargo. All states have their legal height restrictions. This is a combined or total height of the trailer and load. A 5` low loader can carry an 8`6″ piece, giving a total height of 13`6″. If the example was 14 feet in total, you could legally move to the western states, but the eastern states would need a permit for excess height. Although more specialized trailers like a Double Drop can pull larger loads, they have the same limits of limiting the total height. Most highway bridges have a sign that tells drivers the height, but some bridges may have a unique shape that affects that height at the edges. As seen in the photo above, the median deck clearance provides generous space for most trailers, but the edges are well below the average height of 13 feet 6 inches. Weight restrictions are applied per axle.
A shipment cannot exceed the total weight limit, but it can exceed the axle limits. In this case, simply adjusting the cargo can make the shipment legal and eliminate the need for special permits. Each state or province has different regulations. This is a North American average. Regulations around heavy lifting and oversized transport can be very complex once a shipment has been classified as “heavy” or “oversized” and there is a classification system in each state that may even qualify a shipment as a “superload”. As soon as the dimensions or weights exceed the legal limits, transport authorizations are required. Some expeditions may require pilot cars or even pilot cars equipped with height poles, or the shipping company may need an investigation of the route. It is important to consult a professional before attempting to transport oversized or overweight items, machinery or equipment. In most states, oversized cargo with travel companions is only allowed to travel from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Monday to Friday.
Many states restrict or prohibit driving on holidays or weekends. While the overall range for trailer height is between 13 feet 6 inches and 14 feet, many states have exceptions. Some allow a higher cargo, others shorter depending on the type of route. When preparing to move a flatbed load, it is important to know the exact dimensions and weight of your shipment in order to plan the right type of equipment and make the delivery according to the customer`s expectations. Here are the top five areas shippers need to consider when preparing to carry a large or oversized load: Shipping cargo that is considered oversized requires escort vehicles. They should be equipped with a vertical passage detection device to ensure that the road is clear for the passage of cargo. For greater efficiency, they must have uninterrupted and continuous two-way communication with the power supply. When a cargo crosses 17` in a state, it is escorted by the highway patrol. The flags of a trailer and escort vehicles must be at least 18 inches, square, clean, fluorescent red or orange and in perfect condition. You should not wear advertising or wording. Before we get into the key considerations for these types of shipments, let`s first explain what qualifies a wideload shipment.
In the United States, a large or oversized load is a vehicle and/or load larger than 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in). Each U.S. state has slightly different requirements for oversized shipments, so it`s important to know each state`s legal requirements. Therefore, states may have unique regulations for road clearance, which may vary depending on the region through which a state highway passes. For example, check out the California State Route elevation clearances for various roads below.
