Blog - Great Western Transporation

Three Top Reasons to Outsource Your Trucking Needs

Owning and operating trucks and trailers to haul freight is extremely expensive. Some of the largest companies in the country have chosen to outsource their fleets, rather than owning. A small or medium-sized business owner, with even more limit resources, would benefit from this kind of thinking. Before you decide whether outsourcing your transportation needs is a good fit, consider these three benefits for your company.

Lower Costs

An adequate number of trucks and trailers requires a huge capital investment. A company that transports a huge quantity of cargo will require a massive fleet. Fleets this large, often have in-house maintenance, repair facilities and staff. What’s more, buildings and other infrastructure are necessary. It’s not hard to see why these endeavors can cost millions of dollars. Outsourcing, however, requires none of these things. A transportation partner provides the equipment and drivers for a specific price.

Reduced Liability

Along with the financial obligations that come from owning a fleet, there are also other issues to consider. The safety and well-being of the drivers, warehouse workers and the general public is of paramount importance. Your company can be held liable if one of your trucks malfunctions, or a driver causes them injury. You’ll be required to carry insurance on your fleet and drivers, another huge expense. With an outsourced freight shipper you effectively reduce your potential for liability.

Increased Flexibility

During certain seasons, or due to the introduction of a new product, you may well need more capacity. If your fleet is already maxed out, you’ll delay deliveries and lose money. Buying new trucks for a temporary increase in business doesn’t make sense. When you outsource, however, you will have the flexibility to add new equipment when you need to. That means your company will be more nimble and quicker to react to customer demands.
The lower costs, reduced liability and increased flexibility by outsourcing your trucking certainly makes it an option to consider. This single change in your supply chain will allow your company to not just compete with, but out-pace, your competition.

June 15, 2016 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul, LTL, Refrigerated Trucking

Leave Transporting Heavy Machinery to the Experts

There is something different about transporting heavy machinery that makes the job a little more difficult than other types of hauling. There are many out there who are not comfortable with the idea of having to move these types of machines because of the type of trailer that needs to be used and the complexities of having to prepare it for transport and transporting it.

The most obvious factor to keep in mind is that these types of machines are usually classified as oversize loads. This factor in of itself will drive many away simply because there are many rules and regulations involved with transporting oversize loads. There are often special permits that need to be obtained and there may be the need of pilot cars or route surveys that may carry additional costs.

Going off that, construction equipment is often complicated to secure down effectively and may require additional loading time. Depending on the piece of equipment, there are often a lot of ties, chains, and connections involved in an oversized load.

The other factor that needs to be taken into consideration are dimensional and weight restrictions. With these restrictions in place, it is often hard or impossible to travel on certain roads because they exceed these limits.

Transporting heavy machinery is different because they are complex in terms of moving parts and the size that prevents some from even transporting it safely or at an affordable price. Take great care when you consider the possibility of moving an important piece of heavy machinery to the site you need while maintaining the investment that you spent time and money on.

June 3, 2016 | Tags: Heavy Haul Trucking | Category: Heavy Haul

LTL Trucking: 4 Factors That Determine Rates

LTL trucking, short for Less Than Truckload trucking, serves a very important role in shipping. If you have a full load, then of course you will need a full truck. If you have a small package to be delivered, then you will most likely choose to use a parcel post carrier. Unfortunately, there are many times when there are small or partial loads to be shipped that simply don’t fit either of those two scenarios. This is the market that LTL trucking serves.

There are many considerations that go into a rate for this type of shipping. Most of them fall into one of four factors.

Distance

This factor almost goes without saying. It simply makes sense that the farther your shipment is going, the more it will cost.

Weight and Deck Space

Here, again, is another logical factor. LTL trucks are filled with loads from many different shippers. However, trucks are limited as to the weight that they can haul and the amount of deck space that is in the trailer. Freight that adds more to the total weight or takes up more feet of deck of the trailer will be charged proportionately more.

Classification of Freight

This factor gets a bit tricky. National Motor Freight Classification publishes a standard that lists 18 different freight classifications. Factors that go into the classification include density, liability, and ease of handling.

Density is one of the main issues. Take for instance the difference between a hundred pounds of cotton balls versus a hundred pounds of paving stones. Needless to say, the stones will take up much less room in the truck and can easily be combined with loads that are lighter, giving them a lesser rate.

Accessorial Charges

These are the add-ons to your over all rate. Sort and segregate, wait time for loading or unloading, and lumper charges can add to your LTL freight bill.

As you can see, figuring the cost of a particular load is more than just charging a certain rate per pound. If you have a small or partial load that you need to ship, please contact us for a quote.

May 26, 2016 | Tags: ltl | Category: LTL

Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Refrigerated Trucking Company

There are several important factors to consider when shopping for a refrigerated trucking company before making a final decision.

Expertise

Before you choose a trucking company to haul your goods, verify the company has experience shipping the type of product that needs to be moved. If you have frozen fish or an exotic product that needs to ship cross-country, then you want to choose a company with experience shipping these items rather than a company that has experience hauling flowers or some other unrelated product.

Truck Size

The size of the truck used to ship your goods will have an effect on the contents. You want to assure there will be adequate room in the truck to hold your cargo and at the same time provide sufficient air flow around the items you’re shipping.

Packaging

It’s important to verify the internal dimensions of the truck the company will be using for your shipment. This information is important because you want to confirm your items will fit into the vehicle as packaged.

Cost

It always a good idea to get everything in writing. Once you find a trucking company that meets your needs, make sure they have all the information in written form. Important information to include is the scheduled pick-up date and time, estimated delivery date, charges, items that could cause additional costs, etc. Putting everything in writing will alleviate any misunderstandings.

Great Western Transportation has a lot of experience moving items that need to be chilled or frozen. If you would like more information or would like a quote, please contact us today.

May 19, 2016 | | Category: Refrigerated Trucking

Heavy Haul Trucking: for Those Really BIG Shipping Challenges

While the shipping industry frequently is involved in dealing with various risks and challenges, sometimes those challenges are big. Very big. Massive, heavy machinery and equipment, component parts for things like wind turbines and airplanes, large-scale concrete pre-casts; all of these items (and much more besides) still need to be shipped from place to place. When a shipping task reaches this scale, heavy haul trucking is the answer.

Oversize and overweight loads, as well as superloads, all fit under the category of heavy haul trucking. The transportation of such loads is an intricate process, requiring both special equipment and permits. Safety is also a major issue.

Permits

As oversize and overweight loads are, by definition, outside of the legal shipping requirements, special permits are needed to allow heavy haul trucks to travel legally. Though permit requirements vary by location, they usually consist of extra fees along with route specifications and legal times of travel for the transportation company to follow.

Safety

Getting a shipment safely in one piece is definitely a major priority, but the safety of all those sharing the road along with it is even more important. There is also the danger of damaging highway structures, overhanging wires or even the road itself. This is why most states require pilot cars with certified Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators behind the wheel.

It’s a lot to handle, but Great Western Transportation is here to help with every step of the process. Not only can we obtain all the required permits for you, but we can provide escort vehicles and any necessary equipment to ensure a safe and effective delivery. We’re up to any challenge and have the resources and experience to meet all of your trucking needs, so please feel free to visit our site or contact us today!

May 6, 2016 | Tags: Heavy Haul Trucking | Category: Heavy Haul

With New FDA Rule, Refrigerated Trucking More Important Than Ever

Temperature-controlled shipments must meet a wide array of local, state and/or federal regulations. Given the value of many of these shipments, failure is not an option. Specialized CDL drivers, elaborate temperature warning systems and air-ride suspensions all contribute to a successful journey for temperature-controlled shipments.

New Regulations Regarding Food Transportation

Now, refrigerated trucking expertise is more important than ever. In April 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a so-called “final rule,” entitled “Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food.” These specific regulations result in part from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) signed into law in 2011. After the passage of the FSMA, the FDA began to establish regulations designed to carry out the mandates of the law. The FSMA was the most comprehensive overhaul of America’s food safety system in over a century.

Key Areas Addressed

As the FDA says in its fact sheet related to the new rule, one goal is to address safety risks during transportation related to:

• Food refrigeration
• Cleaning of trucks between loads
• General protection of food

Under the new rule, shippers, loaders and carriers must all adhere to additional FDA requirements that are inteded to keep food safe and free of contamination from production to consumption. In other words, from farm to table. Compliant refrigerated trucking simultaneously protects valuable shipments while maintaining consumer health.

Great Western Transportation can address your need for temperature-controlled shipping across the continental United States and Canada. We’d welcome the opportunity to discuss your specific requirements. Please contact us at your earliest convenience.

April 28, 2016 | Tags: Refrigerated Trucking | Category: Refrigerated Trucking

What is Flatbed Trucking and Why You Should Use It

Flatbed Trucking is a transportation service available for oversized or wide load items. It is great to use for transporting heavy machinery, building supplies, or equipment. It is a great option for items that cannot or do not have to be transported in a van.

There are two main reasons to use flatbed trucking for your transportation needs: versatility and variety of trailer types.

Unlike a standard van, a flatbed trailer is open and therefore can be loaded from all sides instead of just from the tail end. Because of this, loading is easier and more efficient and can be done from the ground with a forklift instead of having to have a dock. Also because it’s open, it can take much bigger loads than most transportation options.

There is a wide range of options available for flatbed trucking. One option for heavy equipment is called the Removable Gooseneck, which has a removable neck that can turn into a ramp so equipment can be driven on. This makes it easier to handle heavy cargo, and makes it safer for your cargo at the same time. There is also the Step deck, which is good for tall cargo. The step deck can carry anything up to 10′ 2” high. Stretch trailers are ideal for extra-long loads and double drop trailers are another great option for tall loads.

Many people think the openness of a flatbed trailer makes it less secure, but that is not the case. The transported goods are tied down with chains and/or straps which keep them from sliding around on the trailer and from flying off. Most cargo can also be covered with tarps that protect it from the elements during the trip and also V-boards to protect from any damage that could happen from securing with chains or straps.

Flatbed trucking is your best option for your oversized loads and loads requiring versatility in loading. For more information, please contact us.

April 15, 2016 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul, LTL

LTL Trucking Information and Benefits

How LTL Trucking Works

LTL shipping pertains to the transportation of small volumes of goods weighing between 151 and 20,000 pounds. This transportation option is for shippers who have to send loads that don’t need a Full-Truckload service. LTL shipments are normally combined with other shipments to create a full load. LTL carriers move goods in one truck, providing shippers with the flexibility to plan the transport of products to coincide with their customers’ requirements.

Each shipment in the truck is inspected and weighed to ensure that it matches what the paperwork says about it. The goods are then reloaded to the carrier’s truck. The LTL trucking job can be handled once or several times before reaching its designated location.

Benefits of LTL Trucking

Cost Savings

The cost spent on LTL shipping is usually lower compared to Full-Truckload shipping. As the weight is less than the full truckload, the amount you pay is also lower. You only have to pay for the cost of the products’ weight and space on the truck. The density of the goods also plays an important role in determining the cost of shipment. Bulky low-weight goods are more expensive to transport, while products that occupy a lower volume for the same load are qualified for discounted rates.

LTL Freight Transportation Software

Freight transportation software improves the delivery system. The delivery system is normally focused on assimilating the procedures and systems of the company, leading to faster delivery time and reduced shipping costs.

Simplified Inventory Requirements and Lower Risk of Damage

With LTL shipping, the inventory requirements are streamlined and the risk of damage during transportation is reduced. Fewer units are transported due to the increased volume per shipping load or per package.

Lower Trucking Rates

LTL carriers offer lower trucking rates as they don’t need to pay the high tolls of parcel carriers. Compared to parcel carriers, LTL carriers offer lower rates per pound. Freight rates also depend on destination or pick-up zip codes or also known as “lanes.” Carriers who want to secure business for a certain lane may provide better rates. Those who have enough freight in that lane would most likely charge a higher amount.

Shippers who need to regularly transport goods that fall into different classifications can talk to their local LTL carrier for a Freight All Kinds (FAK) arrangement. This will provide them with a common classification for all the products they transport and allow them to save a lot of money.

LTL shipping is also beneficial for trucking companies as their businesses can be extended even to smaller organizations. Before, the only way for companies to transport their goods was to rent private trucks or send it through parcel carriers.

Using LTL shipping services is the perfect option for those with smaller loads as they can save a significant amount of money and deliver their goods faster to their customers.

March 3, 2016 | Tags: ltl | Category: LTL