Heavy Haul Trucking: Shipping In The Winter

Winter is here, and this season is often a hard reality for many to face in the shipping industry. Winter always bring a variety of uncertainties, along with hazards and threats, such as unstable road conditions and colder temperatures.

Unfortunately, unstable road conditions and unstable weather-related conditions can lead to shipping delays, lost packages, poor packaging, and major shortages. One of the most important things to do during this season is the fully prepare ahead of time. When you are properly prepared, you can avoid running into major obstacles that will hurt the transportation process.

If you truly want to prepare for shipments this season, we encourage you to gain a full understanding of your products and how the products will react in the cold. There are certain temperatures that can lead to damaged goods, especially if the products you are shipping are food products or chemical products.

Another important factor you should consider is the timing of your shipments. As mentioned previously, road conditions can have a major impact on your shipments. Poor road conditions, heavy traffic, and road closures can all have a negative impact on the timing of your shipments.

While we know you cannot prevent some delays, you can take steps to ensure you give your shipments a better chance of being delivered on time.

Regardless of how you prepare, winter will always be filled with surprises. We want you to avoid as many delays and threats as you can. When you work with an experienced transportation service provider, you can significantly reduce your chances of having your shipments delayed. The cold season will always be a challenging time for those in the shipping industry.

At Great Western Transportation, we want to help you navigate this difficult season. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you have a smoother transition this season.

February 8, 2021 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Flatbed Trucking vs. Hot Shot Trucking: Is Flatbed Trucking Right For You?

Flatbed trucking and hot shot trucking are both used to move various goods from Point A to Point B, but there are not many other similarities between the two. If one had to choose between flatbed trucking and hot shot trucking, the odds will fall in favor of flatbed trucking. If you perform an online search inquiring about flatbed trucking transportation services, you will be sure to find a service in your area.

However, it is critically important to choose the flatbed trucking transportation service that will serve your needs. Flatbed trucking services have incredible advantages over hot shot trucking services. With so many options on the table, we understand how difficult it can be to choose the right service for your needs.

A hot shot trucking service uses personal vehicles from drivers to move your goods. Hot shot transportation services will generally use trucks and vans to transport your goods. Hot shot trucking services are growing because of the ease of use and the quick shipments. For those who have a strict deadline for their goods, hot shot trucking is a preferred option for many.

However, there are many reasons why flatbed trucking services have proven to be more beneficial and effective. When you make the decision to use flatbed trucking services, you will partner with a service that can safely move your cargo, regardless of the size. Flatbed trucking services have the ability to handle heavy and oversized freight.

When using flatbed trucking services, you will not have to worry about not having enough space for your large freight. Although hot shot trucking services will use trucks and vans, there will generally not be enough room to handle your freight every time, especially during the peak shipping seasons  When you choose flatbed trucking services, the size of your freight will not be a problem.

When you have to move shipments that cannot be safely transported using hot shot trucking, you will need to find a trucking service that will be able to fulfill your shipping requirements. Flatbed trucking services can easily accommodate items that cannot be moved using other trucking methods.

For more information on flatbed trucking services, give Great Western Transportation a call today at 1-800-972-8484.

January 26, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed

What Is Power-Only Trucking?

When you see a loaded truck on a major highway, you may not realize that two sides of the truck could be owned by different companies in different industries. When this is the case, this type of transportation method is known as power-only trucking. When the power-only trucking transportation method is used, the company that owns the trailer will hire the driver and the tractor from another company.

Power-only trucking is one of the most cost-effective and cost-efficient transportation methods for companies that need to store their products on trailers for a significant period of time, with occasional shipping along the way. The company that supplies the tractor and the driver is known in the trucking industry as the carrier. The company that provides the cargo and the trailer is known in the transportation industry as the shipper.

Power-only trucking provides a variety of benefits to shippers, including the following:

  • Increased productivity
  • Increased speed
  • Greater flexibility
  • Greater efficiency
  • Driver satisfaction

Power only trucking will give shippers the opportunity and flexibility they need to place more attention on their cargo. We understand how difficult it can be to concentrate on your shipments when you are focusing on other aspects of the shipping process, such as the packing and the logistics.

This is why the power-only trucking shipping method is one of the most popular methods to transport goods and equipment across the country, regardless if it is across state borders or international borders.

Power only trucking will also allow shippers to avoid hiring additional contractors or bringing in an additional fleet of tractors in order to successfully transport the goods. Using power only trucking will also give shippers the freedom to choose the right transportation service for their specific needs.

In the transportation industry, there is no one-size-fits-all shipping method. The power-only trucking shipping method can be used to fit your unique needs when you need to move equipment in or on the following:

  • Flatbed trailers
  • Dry freight trailers
  • Containers
  • Refrigerated vans
  • Tanker trailers

The power-only trucking transportation process will not be constrained by how many tractors or trailers you own or how many truck drivers are available to transport your shipments.

The power-only trucking process can also make it easier to transport any goods or freight across state borders and international borders. It is important to choose a transportation service that fits your needs and provides you with the updates you need on the progress of the trailer as it goes from Point A to Point B.

Great Western Transportation is a transportation service that can solve your transportation challenges. If you have any questions about using a transportation service, contact us today. We serve a range of customers in a variety of industries. Our team has the knowledge and skills that are needed to fulfill your needs, whatever they may be.

December 8, 2020 | | Category: Power Only Trucking

When Is A Shipment Heavy Haul?

What factors will make a shipment oversized or heavy haul? A load that needs to be transported will be considered a heavy haul if it goes beyond the state’s legal dimensions limit. The overall length requirements will vary by state. However, a load that goes beyond the 8’6 (2.59 meters)” will require a permit. Permits can be acquired at the state level.

One of the key differences between regular shipments and heavy haul shipments is that the heavy haul shipments will require the permit before the transport process can begin. There are different types of permits that can be acquired. Acquiring specialized equipment will be dependent on the height, width, weight, and length of the equipment.

Freight that generally qualifies as heavy haul will include the following:

  • Industrial equipment
  • Building elements
  • Large shipping containers
  • Heavy machinery
  • Pre-built homes

Heavy haul freight will generally cost a significant amount more for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons that heavy haul freight cost more than other freight is because of the need for permits. Sometimes the permits can be costly depending on how oversized the load is, and this could result in additional fees throughout the remainder of the process. Also, it is important to remember that a permit will need to be purchased for each state that the heavy haul freight will have to go through before it reaches its final destination.

We understand it can be difficult to sort through the logistics regarding heavy haul trucking, especially when permits and state limitations are involved. When a load has to go through more than one state, this can definitely complicate the process and make things more confusing. Transportation services that specialize in heavy haul trucking, flatbed trucking, and other overweight shipments will have the skills and expertise you need to help you determine the best course of action.

November 20, 2020 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Transporting Time-Sensitive Freight

For some shippers, transportation methods that can deliver time-sensitive shipments is important. Freight shipments that are time-sensitive or expedited will generally have a short shelf-life. Sometimes equipment can also fall under time-sensitive transportation. In order for you to have the best experience while using time-sensitive transportation methods, it is important to have an understanding of the methods you are considering.

Choosing carriers that are qualified and experienced will be critical for time-sensitive goods and equipment. However, the process of finding the best transportation carriers can be met with a variety of obstacles. There are several things you should pay attention to during the process, including the following:

  • communication
  • percentage of claims that have been filed
  • types of services provided
  • percentage of on-time deliveries

When you search for rates and carriers ahead of time, you will increase your odds of finding a carrier that can fulfill your needs. However, we do understand that sometimes you will not have a significant amount of time to research transportation services because sometimes time-sensitive shipments are created in a short time frame.

When you work with a transportation provider, you will have a better chance to save money and time. Transportation services will have their own network of resources that can help match you with the service you need. There are also transportation services that will handle the shipment documentation throughout the process.

Working with an experienced transportation service provider can save you a significant amount of money in the long run because you will not be expected to pay high rates. When you need to ship time-sensitive products or equipment, it is important to find a provider who can meet the demands that have been established.

Ultimately, your business needs will determine when you should use a transportation service provider that can deliver your time-sensitive freight over the road.

November 9, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed

Shipping Construction Equipment with Great Western Transportation

Equipment shipment is crucial in making the economy what it is. Companies have to rent and purchase a variety of equipment for construction, manufacturing, retail, and more. The equipment that is being transported has to arrive on time and it has to arrive to the destination undamaged. Generally, the transport of the equipment will be moved from Point A to Point B by truck.

There will be times when equipment shipping will have specialized guidelines and requirements that will need to be followed. When a company needs to transport equipment of any type to a location, the company will depend on the transportation service they have selected to handle the logistics of their transportation needs.

Today, it is not difficult to find a reliable transporter that has the ability to your construction equipment. In the majority of cases, anyone who is looking to ship large and heavy construction equipment will use ground transportation or water vessels. It is unlikely that you will find any damages to your equipment, but the transportation service you select should have the proper insurance coverage that is needed to cover the cost of repairs or replacements.

As you are aware, equipment can vary in weight and in size, but there are transportation services that has the ability to ship anything you need transported. At Great Western Transportation, we arrange equipment shipping transportation services for the following:

  • Construction shipping: scrapers, bulldozers, excavators, cranes, heavy trucks, and more
  • Manufacturing equipment: forklifts, cherry pickers, etc.
  • Agricultural equipment: tillers, tractors, mowers, etc.

There are various benefits to using a professional transportation service for construction equipment deliveries. When you hire a transporter with experience in the type of shipments you need to transport, everything you need to ship will have a safe delivery process from Point A to Point B.

October 27, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed, General

Moving Goods With Flatbed Trucking

When shipping freight and goods over the road, shippers will have a list of options to choose from. Each transportation mode will have its own advantages and disadvantages. However, it is important to choose a shipping method based on your needs, budget, and the type of goods and freight you need to get from Point A to Point B.

Some of the transportation options you will have available include dry freight trucking, refrigerated trucking, LTL trucking, and flatbed trucking. Flatbed transportation service is not the same as your standard trailer-hauling type transportation.

Flatbeds are open trailers that make it easy to move some of the heaviest pieces of equipment and machinery. It is not uncommon to see flatbeds with oversized loads that could not be transported using any other shipping method.

Generally, flatbed trucking is used to transport heavy machinery, construction equipment and materials, and vehicles. Flatbed trucks are known for carrying machinery and equipment of all types, including military equipment.

With flatbed trucking, the freight is not stored in a trailer that is enclosed and/or temperature-controlled. With flatbed trucking, the freight is also not loaded and unloaded at a dock. How are goods loaded and unloaded when flatbed trucking is being used?

When flatbed trucking is used, the freight is generally loaded and unloaded at a specific site. When flatbed trucking is used, the goods can be loaded and unloaded at every angle of the truck.

Since freight and goods are being transported on a platform that is not enclosed, it is important to make sure the freight has been secured properly at all times. If the freight is not secure on the truck, there is a chance that the goods will move during transport and possibly be lost during the transport. Follow us at Great Western Transportation for more information on flatbed trucking and other transportation methods.

October 13, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed

Complete Construction Jobs on Time with Great Western Transportation

After working in the construction industry for a time, you’ll probably come to realize that construction jobs have a lot of responsibilities that aren’t actually about constructing things. Tons of permits and paperwork, payouts and planning, and plenty more we don’t have time to go over. Before you can even get to the site, however, you always need to consider transportation.

Not simply for yourself or your crew but for your equipment. After all, unless you’d like to go at it with some shovels and pickaxes all day long, you’re going to need some heavy machinery to deal with the job at hand. And to get it there, you need transportation solutions that are a bit more complex than hitching an excavator to a pickup truck and driving it down the highway.

While you could attempt all the logistics and planning yourself, it’s so much easier to get the professionals to take care of it for you. That’s where we here at Great Western Transportation come in. We use our extensive experience in transporting heavy materials to get the job done fast and without issue. No more struggling to find vehicles to haul your equipment or trying to secure permits for a route you want to use; we handle it all for you.

Just like you wouldn’t want someone to try DIYing building a skyscraper without the proper training and equipment, you should be able to understand why we’re so emphatic about taking on the job of transportation for you. We’ve got the experience to back up our position and can get you what you need where you need it with minimal issue.

The next time you’ve got to move your equipment for a construction job, think of Great Western Transportation. Our team is prepared to help you however we can in getting the job done right.

September 30, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed