Moving items from point A to point B may seem easy enough to do, but that isn’t always the case when that material is oversized. For example, the following types of items may require special hauling methods to get them where they need to go:

• Farming equipment
• Military equipment
• Construction materials

These are all vital pieces of infrastructure, and it is necessary to use heavy haul trucks to move them where they need to go.

What is a Heavy Haul Truck?

A heavy haul truck is specifically designed to move the oversized materials described above. It is a four-axle semi-truck that contains 1 steer, 1 pusher, and 2 drives. This design allows the truck to take on those particularly heavy loads that other trucks simply cannot. As such, this truck is uniquely designed to take on the workloads that other types of trucks simply could not.

What Makes a Heavy Haul Truck Special?

Aside from the design specifications mentioned above, there are also other reasons why a heavy haul truck is considered unique and special. For example, it is necessary for special permits to be obtained in many cases. Those permits are required simply because of the size and dimensions of the materials in question. In addition, drivers of heavy haul trucks may be required to obtain special licensing before they can operate a heavy haul truck.

These trucks are a unique asset that help keep the economy moving forward. Without the unique services and benefits offered by heavy haul truckers, it would be impossible to move certain pieces of freight where they need to go.

Given the fact that the entire economy relies on the ability to move goods where they need to go, it is imperative that heavy haul trucks continue to do what they need to do. The next time you see what out on the road, just recognize that it is a truck built specifically to handle the large load that it is carrying.

At Great Western Transportation, we are the expert trucking service providers, delivering the most economical and safe solutions for moving freight within the United States and Canada. One of the areas of our expertise is in flatbed trucking. There are specific types of flatbed trailers to transport freight loads that are oversized in width, length, or weight. Some of which may be all three. Whether construction equipment, oversize product parts such as turbines, or homes, we can help you move it. (See a list of all the heavy hauls we can help you move.)

The Flatbeds for Hauling Oversized Loads

There are four flatbed trailer types for oversized hauls, and we make it our business to know what trailer is the best for your load.

– Extendable flatbed trailers are for hauling extra-long materials such as construction pipes or building lumber.

–Lowboy trailers are necessary for hauling unusual tall loads that would otherwise not pass the legal height limit.

– Removable gooseneck trailers make it easy for large equipment to be driven onto the trailer and off without backing up.

–Drop deck trailers are another type of trailer used for tall freight loads over the height limitations.

Route Planning is Key to Safely Moving Oversized Loads

Part of moving oversized loads is mapping out the most efficient route. Not all roadway paths, especially bridges, are safe for these unusual loads. At Great Western, we are the experts in oversized freight route planning.

Part of Route Planning is Permitting

When it comes to oversized loads, rules vary between the states. Transporting oversized freight across multiple states will most likely require state-specific permits. Once we determine the most efficient route, we handle all the permitting.

We’re Connected and Delivering the Best in Oversized Hauling Solutions

When you are our customer, you have a network of the most efficient trucking solutions for big hauls that will expedite your loads with the best in pricing, with safety always in mind. We are proud of our structured network, and the team at Great Western Transportation is here to take care of all your oversized trucking needs.

Flatbed trucks are the unsung heroes of the construction and manufacturing industries. These versatile open-bed trucks transport everything from raw materials to heavy machinery to oversized finished products. With their ability to handle bulky, irregularly shaped items, flatbeds provide capabilities beyond what enclosed box trailers can accommodate. They are an important link in the supply chain for assuring cargo is safely transported from point A to point B. Below are five common uses for flatbed trucking across the construction and manufacturing industries.

1. Transporting Construction Materials

In construction, flatbeds transport large, heavy components used to build infrastructure and buildings. One of the biggest contributors to efficient construction projects is the ability to transport heavy structural components. Flatbeds are perfectly suited for this job. With their open decks, they can easily accommodate massive steel beams, pre-cast concrete sections, wall panels, and other oversized building materials. Constructing modern infrastructure would be incredibly difficult without the use of flatbed trucking.

2. Moving Heavy Construction Equipment

In addition to structural materials, flatbeds can also be used to transport the heavy equipment used to manipulate and assemble those components. We know you are aware that excavators, backhoes, cranes, bulldozers, and other machinery can be difficult to load into enclosed trailers. But they can be easily wheeled up loading ramps onto flatbeds and strapped securely in place. This allows construction crews to reposition gear quickly between different locations.

3. Delivering Manufacturing Materials

On the manufacturing side, flatbeds are key for keeping factories stocked with raw materials. From lumber to steel coils to spools of cable, these industrial inputs often come in cumbersome sizes and shapes. Flatbeds provide an ideal transportation method for these irregular raw goods. Safely delivering high volumes of raw stock is what keeps manufacturing production flowing as smoothly as possible.

4. Shipping Oversized Finished Goods

Once goods have been produced, flatbeds make way for oversized finished products to be shipped from factories to their destinations. Farm machinery, generators, turbines, and other oversized equipment also fit nicely on the spacious decks of flatbeds. For manufacturers, having this shipping capacity is key to getting finished products into the hands of customers.

5. Moving Support Vehicles

Flatbeds are also useful for transporting the support vehicles used on construction sites. Forklifts, mobile cranes, and concrete mixers are all regularly hauled on flatbeds between locations and job sites. Having the ability to efficiently move these utility vehicles allows smoother construction operations.

The versatility of flatbed trucking makes it an integral tool for industries like construction and manufacturing. For moving inputs and outputs, flatbeds keep these industries running efficiently. At Great Western Transportation, we understand the role flatbeds play in construction and manufacturing, and that is why our experienced team provides reliable flatbed trucking services to keep your oversized loads moving.

Call us toll-free at 1-800-972-8484 to learn more.