Heavy haul trucking is the broad term to define the transport of large and heavy freight or objects. One of the most common heavy haul loads for heavy haul shippers is “Yellow Iron”. The nickname “Yellow Iron” is used for all the various types of large earth-moving, material handling and the various equipment used for construction. Most of this equipment is also classified as being RORO, which defines that the equipment can move under its own power; it is an acronym for: roll on roll off.
The reason why this form of hauling trucking is classified under its own category is due to the fact special trailers are utilized to transport heavy haul loads. The trailers are generally very low to the ground, so that they can have a high clearance for loads. Some of these trailers at the lowest point have the loading deck floor between 18 to 24 inches off the ground. This provides far more height clearance when hauling tall freight. The second advantage to being so low to the ground is the option to have several choices to load the trailer. The most common trailer design allows for a machine on wheels or tracks to simply drive onto the trailer and drive off. This trailer design is termed a: removable goose neck or RGN. The design is such that the trailer is left behind as the tractor drives away with the front portion of the trailer still attached to the tractor. In a sense the trailer is separated so that the front of the trailer is left unobstructed and lying directly on the ground.
Loading specialized trailers is also possible via ramps, so the equipment can drive onto, in most cases over the rear wheels.
Yet another loading possibility for specialized trailers is to use cranes, forklifts or other loading or lifting devices to load the freight from overhead and onto the trailer.
Trucking Industry
The trucking transportation industry has various trucking transportation rates, primarily these rates vary by the type of trailer that is used to transport a particular type of freight, and in the case of heavy haul the trailers, which are the most expensive to purchase and to maintain. Thus this all equates to trucking transportation rates for being the highest for heavy haul trucking freight services. Also, another factor that determines trucking transportation costs is the location of the freight delivery or pick-up. Trucking freight to Alaska will be more expensive versus, trucking transportation in California and going to an adjacent state. U.S. transportation trucking companies are regulated by the department of transportation trucking regulations. This means that when the freight is over a certain size in terms of length, width or height; or above a certain weight limit, then the truck will require a permit issued by the state the freight travels through. This adds additional cost to the trucking transportation industry rates. This is why shipping departments or managers new to trucking transportation costs may be surprised at first when they see that freight being transported on RGN trailers is more expensive per mile, as compared to standard flatbed trailer and of course a dry van trailer.
Trucking transportation trends have been to use trucking transportation software to make freight movement more efficient, and reduce some costs. However this is not that applicable to heavy haul transport due to the fact there is not a large volume of standardized freight being shipped and warehoused; instead the freight is very individualized and has specific requirements that would not be ideal for complex software tracking and automation. As an example: only a skilled machine operator and RGN trailer-trucker can load a dozer on a RGN trailer, as opposed to a warehouse where several, if not dozens, skilled forklift operators can load a pallet into a dry-van trailer.
Trucking Rates
Heavy haul trucking freight rates per mile services are always more expensive due to: specialized trailer equipment has lower availability, higher costs to maintain specialized equipment, permit expenses, pilot car expenses and the overall additional time required to plan and execute the move.
Trucking freight statistics for heavy haul transportation is not as easily available as opposed to standard dry-van and flatbed trailer statistics. This is why it is advisable for a freight manager or shipping department personnel to seek services a heavy haul company with vast experience with various heavy haul loads through various states and having operated various types of specialized trailers. Such companies will have the proper background in dealing with the logistic complexities of heavy haul freight. A major U.S. transportation trucking company is Great Western Transportation.
Trucking and transportation industry is a complex network of trucking companies, warehousing, localized services and skilled personnel with the federal and state regulatory bodies overseeing the safe operation of trucking transportation.
Tip for Planning a Heavy Haul Trucking Load – Measure all dimensions and the total weight accurately and always round up the number.
