Planning to ship an oversize item, either to another company or client or between your own warehouses, is a little more complicated than scheduling a standard shipment. There are a variety of things you must be aware of so you can avoid problems once your item is on the truck. The following are a few things to keep in mind.
Specific Measurements
The easiest measurement for you to take within the warehouse is the basic dimensions. Follow the old adage to measure at least twice to ensure these dimensions are accurate. If you have a freight scale onsite, then use it to get an accurate weight measurement. This information is vital for your shipping company, as they cannot plan or give an accurate quote on shipping cost without it. If you don't have an onsite method for weighing oversize freight, the shipping company will need to send out a rep to make a quote. This may also be necessary for exceptionally oversized or odd-shaped items.
Consider Highway Regulations
One problem you will encounter with an oversize load are highway regulations, especially if interstate travel is necessary. An oversize load requires extra permits as well as escort vehicles. Smaller oversize loads or those traveling a short distance may only require once escort to lead and check for any blockages that could be encountered, while larger loads may require an additional rear escort. In some cases, you may even require extra permits for road closures during transports, or there may be an additional cost for a route planning service. Knowing all of this ahead of time is vital to ensuring an accurate quote.
Know Your Dock Specifications
One challenge that is often overlooked is at the dock itself. The issue can affect either the shipping or the receiving dock, so check both. First, you must make sure that the load can be maneuvered by the driver into position at the dock. While docks are logically made to accommodate a large truck, the receiving dock may not be approachable with an oversize load attached, or the truck could get stuck in place once the load is placed on the flatbed at the shipping dog. You must also check that both docks can safely hold the weight of the oversized shipment. All docks have weight ratings, so this is simple to check. If not, alternative arrangements for pickup or delivery may be required.
For more help, contact a freight company like Ripley Transportation Company, Inc. that has knowledge in moving over dimensional loads.
Share24 February 2017
Hello, my name is Denver and this blog was created due to my fascination with various types of transportation. It all started when I was a child and I received my first train set for my birthday. As I got older, I also became interested in the big semi trucks that I would see on the highways while traveling with my family. It didn't stop there, I then became mesmerized by airplanes and helicopters. The subway system and monorails were next on my list of interests. I would constantly read books and try to find out additional information about all the different kinds of transportation. Because of this early obsession of mine, I am very knowledgeable about this subject. If you would like to learn about the various modes of transportation, I invite you to read my blog and to enjoy the information that I've gathered together.