Oversized Shipment Challenges

When most people see large tractor-trailers on the highway, they imagine they’re filled with lots of smaller packages, crates, and items—and many of them are. However, some companies and individuals have larger shipping needs that require even more specialized services to get their oversized items from point A to point B.

Oversized transport in Denver, CO is no easy task. It comes with lots of challenges unique to the size and shape of the oversized item in question. Here are some of the biggest challenges companies face in moving oversized items across the United States:

• What counts as “oversized”: Before even considering the physical task of moving oversized items, transport companies are faced with a challenge: qualifying the item’s size and the rules of the road. There are general guidelines for oversized items—usually they are over 8.6 feet wide, 75 feet long or 13.6 feet tall—but the actual definition does vary from state to state. There’s even another category called “super status,” which applies to even bigger items that follow stricter guidelines for transport. It’s tough enough to keep track of these size definitions, especially when transporting across state lines.
• Different states, different rules: Just like with differing definitions, states have different rules for transporting oversized items. Some states require that oversized items be shipped in the middle of the night, whereas others require them to move in daylight. Transport companies also need to think about traffic patterns, as most oversized items cannot move during peak rush hours, especially near big cities.
• Coordinating a solid team: Because of all the rules and regulations involved, it can be a logistical nightmare to plan an oversized transport. This is even more complicated when you consider that oversized transports often rely on a pilot or escort car, which drives in front of or behind the flatbed trailer and guides the trailer through the state. Though this driver plays an important role in helping to safely guide the flatbed driver, it adds another layer of coordination that is logistically challenging for the transport company. On top of this, some super status loads might even need a road closure to reach a particular destination, which would require police help.

It might seem like the main challenge of oversized hauling in Denver, CO would be figuring out how to load up a large item. But as you can see above, what makes this type of transport difficult is not necessarily the item itself, but all the planning required to ensure that the item safely reaches its final destination without breaking any laws.

If you need to transport any oversized items, it’s important to find a trusted carrier for your goods. Look no further than Osage Specialized Transport, a Colorado-based company with over 40 years of experience in the industry. Our deep knowledge means that you’ll never need to worry about any logistics related to oversized transport.

Osage Specialized Transport offers a range of heavy-haul services across the entire continental United States, Canada and Mexico, and has access to more equipment for specialized hauls than most other companies. Call today to find out about our services!

• Category: Oversize Hauling, Oversize Transport