Heavy Haul Trucking: A Complete Guide
Heavy haul trucking refers to the transportation of cargo that exceeds standard legal weight or size limits. Moving oversized and overweight loads requires specialized equipment, permits, and careful planning.
What Qualifies as Heavy Haul?
A load is considered heavy haul when it exceeds any of these federal limits: 80,000 lbs gross weight, 8.5 ft wide, 13.5 ft tall, or 53 ft long. Anything beyond these limits requires special permits and routing.
Common Heavy Haul Cargo
- Construction equipment (excavators, cranes, bulldozers)
- Mining machinery
- Industrial generators and transformers
- Prefabricated structures
- Wind turbine components
The Permitting Process
Each state has its own permitting requirements. A heavy haul broker like American Route Logistics handles all permits, route surveys, and pilot car coordination on your behalf.