What You Need to Know About Flatbed Trucking

Have you ever wondered how large military artillery or massive construction pipes are transported to various destinations? Flatbed trucking is the answer to the logistical challenge of such materials and equipment. Therefore, flatbed trucking is the transportation of oversized and overweight cargo that does not need an enclosed truck or van.

This kind of trucking is highly profitable and rewarding to all parties involved, but it is also dangerous in all senses. As such, you need to have considerable expertise and experience to get involved in flatbed trucking.

Uses of Flatbed Trucking

Flatbed trucking trailers are built with solid and durable aluminum frames, and wooden floors meant for longevity. Most flatbed trailers are 53 feet long and 102 feet wide in terms of size. To carry conspicuously large cargo, these trailers are often chained together. Among the massive load that these trailers transport are:

  • Steel coils
  • Lumber
  • Mobile Homes
  • Military equipment
  • Vehicles
  • Oversized pipes

Therefore, when it comes to flatbed trucking, the bigger the cargo, the better the shipping, as nothing is too large for transport.

Safety Precautions for Flatbed Trucking Drivers

As mentioned, flatbed trucking is a dangerous affair, and it requires excellent expertise and experience. There are certain safety precautions that the Drivers for Flatbed Trucking Trailers need to keep. These are:

  1. Loading

How a flatbed trucking trailer can move depends on the loading of goods. As such, drivers need to load and balance the cargo to ensure a smooth ride accurately. Loading can be done using machines like cranes or lifts if need be or manually.

  1. Securing

Before embarking on the trip, there are strict rules on securing the cargo. These rules are stringent on tie-downs that should be used and how to properly double-check to ensure the load is secure for transportation.

  1. Tarping

This is another skill that helps secure the cargo on board for transportation. This skill should be used by those experienced at using it, since a loose tarp can be hazardous to other vehicles on the road.

For more information on Flatbed Trucking and other trucking services, visit our blog Great Western Transportation.

April 18, 2022 | | Category: Flatbed

3 Tips to Consider When Hiring Heavy Haul Trucking Company

Selecting the ideal logistics and hauling company to contract can be a hassle if you are new to heavy haul trucking. Heavy haul trucking can be an enormous challenge when transporting large indivisible machinery to multiple loads. Unfortunately, it becomes difficult and dangerous for a driver during bad weather, leading to an accident or damaged assets.

Whether you are hauling turbines, excavators, boats, timber, cranes, or mining machines, selecting the best heavy haul trucking should come first. This article goes into detail by giving you tips that will help ease selecting the best heavy haul trucking company for your assets and equipment.

1. Type of Cargo Carrier

It is crucial to consider the ideal cargo carrier when transporting heavy loads. Without the appropriate equipment and tools, one can never succeed in carrying oversized cargo. There are several types of cargo carriers to choose from, including Curtain side, Extendable flatbed, Refrigerated, gooseneck, lowboy, drop deck, dry van, Flatbeds, and larger trailers of 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, and 20 axles. So, when selecting the ideal company, ensure they have the ideal cargo carrier for your equipment.

2. Trip Planning

Planning a trip is one of the essential tips of heavy haul trucking. It ensures timely delivery and easy trucking of your load. Always ensure that the company offers tracking and route studying to deliver safely on time. Keep in mind that a successful drop depends on preparedness and readiness.

Ensure that the company uses the latest technology in identifying traffic updates like construction projects or weather hazards on your route during the day of the trip. Use GPS technology to observe traffic on road and route conditions.

3. Understands the Special Safety Markings Need

Transportation of oversized loads is a big concern to commuters and drivers’ safety due to its danger. Heavy haul trucking loads must follow specific operational procedures to maintain road safety and minimize risk during operations.

To signal and alert drivers on the road and general road users. The logistics company should use unique markings applicable for oversized hauling. A distinctive standard mark such as a large burner with a yellow and reflective background should be visible to other drivers.

Conclusion

Transporting this heavy load comes with rewards and risks for a company and a driver. And when selecting the ideal company, consider the above tips.

Are you planning to move or haul a heavy load? Great Western Transportation offers you quality guaranteed trucking services of oversized equipment across the US and Canada. We have the best hauling trucks to ensure timely deliveries. Contact us today for more information.

April 5, 2022 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Heavy Haul Trucking FAQs

Transporting oversized loads like industrial machinery can be logistically challenging if you don’t have the idea and experience of transporting them. These types of loads require special handling, special equipment, optimized routing, and permits from the relevant government authorities. Without these requirements, heavy loads can compromise the safety of truckers and other roads users.

In this article, we look at the common frequently asked questions about heavy haul trucking.

1.      What is Heavy Haul Trucking?

There are load sizes that are considered normal in the United States and Canada. Any item that exceeds the typical dimension or weight is considered a heavy load and requires special trucking.

A heavy load exceeds the following:

  • Width 8.6 ft.
  • Height 13.6 ft.
  • Length 48-53 ft., and
  • Gross weight 80,000 lbs.

However, the federal government restricts weight depending on the type of axle you are using. Here is the axle type and the maximum weight they may carry:

  • Steer axles – 12,000 lbs
  • Single axles -20,000
  • Drive axles – 34,000
  • Tandem axles – 34,000

2.      What Permits Do I Require for Heavy Hauling?

You require the appropriate documentation and permits for heavy haul trucking before every shipment. But these regulations vary. You might be required to get city, county, municipal, or special permits for some type of shipment. The permit outlines the time you are allowed to transport the heavy load and details about the operating hours.

3.      What Else Do I Require to Transport a Heavy Load?

Trucks hauling heavy freight must be well-marked with explicitly visible signage. You might also require “oversized load” banners, safety flags, lights, and pilot/escort cars to clear the road. These requirements vary among states.

4.      Where Can I Transport Heavy Haul, and What Are the Restrictions?

There are no restrictions. You can haul heavy loads through the United States, Canada, and Mexico. But you or your truck drivers must be over 23 years and have the required driver’s license.

Work With the Best

You need a reliable freighting company to ship your industrial machinery, building supplies, pre-built house, or any heavy load. Great Western Transportation is your ultimate transportation services company across the United States and Canada. We ensure that your item arrives at your destination with minimum glitches and within the given time frame.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us today for all your heavy truck hauling needs across the United States and Canada.

March 17, 2022 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Flatbeds: What You Need To Think About

  • If you need transport for something oversized, heavy or bulky, your best choice is to use a flatbed trailer.  Along with that decision comes a whole slew of worries.  There are many factors of trucking that need to be taken into consideration.  What kind of flatbed trailer will you need (there are several options) and how will you get your shipment loaded?  What about weather worries and securement?  Let Great Western Transportation show you how we can make shipments go from perplexing to peaceful.

Trailer Selection

A flatbed is a type of trailer, but did you know there are many different kinds of flatbeds?  Depending on what you need to haul, some flatbeds are better suited for a particular job more so than others.  RGNs, stretch trailers and step decks are just some of the types of flatbed trailers that we work with.  Let our transportation experts help you decide which flatbed trailer is perfect for your needs.

Loading

Flatbed trailers are perfect for loading and unloading as well.  Because the sides are open on flatbeds, they can be loaded on the sides or the back of the trailer and use of a loading dock isn’t necessary.  The fact that you can use forklifts or cranes to load a flatbed, along with the ability to place the cargo easily so that you can have a balanced load, make this a winning way to ship your freight.

Weather

Some shipments will be fine if exposed to the elements, but every case is not the same.  When you have a consultation with Great Western Transportation, we can help you decide what needs you have for the freight you are moving.  If your load needs protection, we will positively make sure that the right sized tarps and tie downs will be used, ensuring that it gets there safely.

Securement

Did you know that flatbed loads can shift while being transported?  If this happens, the weight can be distributed unevenly, causing a real danger.  Our large network of professionals will make sure that this is not another worry on your list.  Freight will be secured according to the Department of Transportation standards.  The specialists in our network will be checking the load and its securement at every checkpoint and stop along their route.

There are many factors that play into the shipping needs you have.  Ultimately, you want your cargo to get to its destination safely and securely.  Great Western Transportation can do that, making sure that we fulfill all of your logistics needs.  Please contact us with any questions or comments that you may have. We are always ready to help.

February 17, 2022 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

Why Choose Our Flatbed Trucking Services

As a transportation service provider, our focus with flatbed trucking at Great Western Transportation is meeting the needs of our customers. Shipping demands are heavy and timely for our clients, and we must exceed them. This is why our flatbed trucking services fulfill most of what our customers need for shipping freight loads. Here are three reasons why you should choose our flatbed services.

Construction Equipment Heavy Hauling

When dealing with a construction site, equipment hauling is a huge task. Tractors, dozers, cranes, and machinery must be moved with extreme care. Transportation services at GWT ensure the process goes seamlessly. Our company procures services for heavy duty flatbed hauls involving construction equipment in work zones and high traffic areas.

Side Loading Capabilities with Flatbed Trucking

A major benefit of choosing flatbed trucking services is the side loading capability of these trailers. A flatbed trailer is completely open around all sides, unlike a dry van or refrigerated trailer. Also, while freight can be loaded from the side, Conestoga flatbed trailers have removable sides. This allows for easy loading along with complete enclosure of freight.

Securing Freight in All Weather Conditions

This brings up the next reason why you should choose our flatbed trucking services. Along with being able to load from the side, flatbed trailers can easily be covered with a tarp. A tarpaulin cover, better known as a tarp, is a waterproof blue sheet of heavy duty material. It is made to secure freight loads against weather, as well as damage and theft. Tarping and strapping loads is also required by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for most flatbed hauls.

Contact GTW for Flatbed LTL and Full Truckloads

Whether you need to transport flatbed LTL hauls or full truckloads, Great Western Transportation has your freight covered. Contact us for a quote on services today.

December 28, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed

Flatbed Trucking: What Should You Know

Flatbed trucking uses heavy trucks that are flat (meaning no roof or walls on its trailer) to transport heavy cargo. These trailers can have a weight carrying capacity of up to 48,000 pounds, equivalent to almost 21 tons.

How Does It Work?

The versatile nature of flatbed trucks allows them to carry various kinds of cargo, both tall and/or heavy, using minimal effort. Often, you will see them hauling construction equipment, long pipes, smaller vehicles such as offloading vehicles, etc. Other cargos that flatbed trucks can transport include; lumber, steel coils, machines, tow trucks, scrap metals, or mobile homes.

Key Factors

Despite its versatility, flatbed truck drivers need to consider a few factors to ensure that the cargo is safely transported to its destined location. Among the factors include:

  • Loading: The truck driver must ensure that the loads are well-balanced to maintain the trailer’s COG. This is to guarantee that the truck does not flip or topple over during freight.
  • Tarping: It ensures that the cargo is well protected from destructive elements such as rain or dust. Tarps can be heavy, and you may need a forklift to cover the shipment. You should anchor the tarp so that it’s securely fastened to the truck to prevent it from falling off.
  • Securing: It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the load is steady throughout the trip. One can use thick steel chains or webbed nylon straps to secure the cargo.
  • Maneuvering: A flatbed driver needs a specific set of skills to maneuver through traffic, sharp bends, or bleak weather and still maintain the balance of the cargo.

Pros and Cons of Flatbed Trucking

Flatbed trucking, like any other service, carries with it advantages and disadvantages. Some of its positives include:

  • It offers long-term job security for flatbed truck drivers.
  • Less time wastage during loading and offloading as compared to dry van transportation.

Some of its disadvantages include:

  • Loosely secured items or cargo can endanger the driver, pedestrians, other vehicles, and even the load itself.
  • Strict regulations such as the DOT  leave very little room for other ideas.

Parting Shot

Here at Great Western Transportation, we deal with heavy loads and cargo transit. The team at the company has over 100 years of combined experience both in the fields of LTL Trucking and the Full Truckload industry. For just a fractional cost, we can transport any large variety of cargo and handle any of your shipping preferences. For more info or to get a free quote, you can contact us.

December 14, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed

5 Advantages of Using LTL Shipping for Your Business

Less than truckload (LTL) shipping is a cost-effective and efficient way to ship packages. It’s perfect for businesses that need their products delivered without the hassle of loading and unloading them from a truck. LTL shipments vary in size and weight, but they typically range from 500 to 10,000 pounds. You have many shipping options to choose from, but LTL shipping is becoming more popular for its variety of benefits.

Here are five advantages of using LTL shipping versus other freight shipping methods.

1. Less Hassle

Unlike traditional LTL shipments, full truckload (FTL) deliveries require a lot more time and attention to detail. For example, when you fill up a whole trailer with containers for an FTL delivery, you need to make sure everything is stacked in the same direction and that it fits in that one space. This can lead to a lot of hassle when it comes to loading and unloading containers from the trailer if they don’t fit. If you’re using LTL shipping instead, then you can load them any which way on the trailer since they’re only occupying one space each; this saves both time and money in labor.

2. Improves customer service

One of the biggest challenges for retailers today is delivering orders on time. As customers become increasingly accustomed to free and fast delivery, they expect a relatively quick turnaround from the company. LTL or less than truckload shipping is a quick and cost-effective way to meet these expectations. Unlike traditional freight carriers, LTL carriers are able to deliver smaller shipments that are picked up on demand. This is an ideal option for businesses that have irregular or unpredictable needs for shipments.

3. Reduces costs associated with handling large quantities of deliveries

With LTL freight shipping, the cost of each shipment is based on the weight of the shipment. This means that if your company is sending out a lot of packages at once, it will most likely save money by doing so.

LTL freight shipping allows companies to send their shipments over longer distances without incurring high costs or delays. Because most shipments are less than 150 miles from their destination, LTL freight shipping usually only takes one day to arrive which means there isn’t any wait time for customers and no need to store inventory at your facility until an order comes in.

4. Improves Inventory Management and Control

With LTL shipping, companies have the opportunity to benefit from cost savings, improved inventory management and control. Inventory can be stored in one location or consolidated into a central warehouse. This will help with ease of use and management of the stocks.

LTL shipping is an effective way to cut costs, reduce inventory levels, and improve customer service. It can also provide a more accurate picture of what products are in stock, where they are located, and how quickly products can be shipped.

Additionally, with less handling, there is a lower chance of products getting damaged along the way.

5. Reduced turnaround time

LTL shipping services provide a reduced turnaround time for freight transport. Unlike parcel delivery, these services are more cost-effective for companies that need to ship larger items, heavier loads, or a mix of both. The reduced turnaround time means that products can be delivered in a shorter amount of time and businesses can save on inventory costs.

Conclusion

LTL shipping is not just for large companies. It can be used by small and medium-sized companies too to save on both time and money. Most importantly, it will help your company reach its growth goals faster than other approaches because it will offer you a competitive edge in the market. For example, smaller orders can be delivered fast and efficiently without waiting for a whole container to get loaded.

Contact our team at Great Western Transportation for a free quote on LTL shipping prices and services!

November 2, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed, General, LTL

What are the Pros and Cons of Dry Freight Trucking?

What is Dry Freight Trucking?

Dry freight trucking is the act of transporting goods without any liquids. This can include items such as sand or other commodities that do not leak.

There are no federal regulations for dry freight truck drivers, so each state has its own set of regulations, which vary in both driving requirements and driving times.

The Pros of Dry Freight Trucking

Traditional trucking is not always the most efficient way of transporting goods. It takes a lot of time and energy to load and unload the trucks.

Dry freight trucking is an alternative that can reduce the amount of fuel used in traditional trucking. With dry freight, there are no large loads to unload or load onto the truck. This means that there is less time wasted on unloading and loading, which saves fuel.

The pros of dry freight trucking are as follows:

  • Trucks are specially equipped for carrying goods
  • It’s less expensive than other modes of transportation
  • Shipments are delivered fast
  • It’s an environmentally sound way to transport goods

The Cons of Dry Freight Trucking

The cons of dry freight trucking are that it is very dangerous for the driver and the cargo. There are a number of situations that can cause accidents, such as a sudden blowout, a flat tire, or running over an animal. Another problem is that there is no way to refrigerate products when they are being transported on a truck. This means that they will have to be delivered quickly or else they will spoil and be lost.

Another disadvantage of dry freight trucking is the carbon footprint created by the trucks and equipment necessary to keep them functioning smoothly.

Proven Ways to Reduce the Disadvantages of Dry Freight Trucking

Great Western Transportation is an industry leader in reducing the disadvantages of dry freight trucking. We can create logistical solutions for any shipment, no matter the size or destination. The team at Great Western Transportation is experienced in managing all types of commodities from agricultural products to building materials.

Contact us for a free quote!

When you need something hauled, call Great Western Transportation! We’re the trusted specialists for all your freight shipping and trucking needs. Give us a call and we’ll be glad to help!

October 22, 2021 | | Category: General, LTL