Trip planning permitted loads

The picture is a few months old. We only get annuals when we are going back through the necessary states.

 

Least I'm not the only one that has everything on hand.

That's just for annual permits if I have them and provisions. As well as a lot of state maps for routing purposes. And a few city maps.

 

Decided to ask here in order not to create a new thread. Never hauled an OS so read many threads and about regulations here. But from your experience, say a load up to 12' wide and a regular weight, what is to look at in general? I'm cautious about other cars and crazy van drivers passing in construction areas. And in general, just not to be fooled by a not so OS dims.

 

this will give you a start:
1 pick a probable route and apply for your permits (expect route changes)
2 expect no more than 500 miles per day and schedule your permits with this in mind (you will get slowed down by route changes and diverges)
3 read the conditions for each state carefully and flag,sign,mirrors and light for the most extreme state.
4 build yourself a conditions binder and carry your permits in it

 

I’d get some of the good battery powered lights like “ guardian angel “ and have them on all four corners of the wide load.


And when you get the permits ,
Read them carefully and use google maps and a sheet or paper to write the directions on , and use a subscription gps that allows you to enter waypoints and turns into , instead of it telling you where the shortest route is .

 

Most of your permits will fortunately at least mention the provision sheets you are supposed to carry or reference the provision sheets that have the additional information on them that you will need. So pay close attention to that because it can come back and bite you.

"It wasn't on the permit"

No it was on the provision sheet you never read.

Look out for that sort of stuff.

That's one thing I can think of to add to this.


Although as far as traffic goes, never be too nice.
If you're going into a construction zone with no shoulders and you're going up against that barrier and up against the line or even over it a bit, don't give them the opportunity they will try to go around you and that can create a dangerous situation you don't need.

Your driving will change overtime I promise that.

And as much as it might pain you don't fall for the snail race don't let anyone snail race you cuz that's going to build up traffic behind you and might get rid of your escape routes when you need one desperately.

Let them by drop back stay off a little while so you can keep your sight if you're running without escorts. And keep that traffic always moving around you when you can. OS moving solo lives or dies on what it can see and react too.

Likewise with escorts, you cannot be any less vigilant.

 

What kind of trailer are you pulling? 12 wide on a flat is a completely different load than a 12 wide on an RGN/lowboy.

 

Will get my first OS load tomorrow. It's "just" a legal overhang 55' steel on my 53' flat but still need some help. A 43k load, the route is PA to MA and my questions are:
1. Do I load from the nose with 2' overhang in the rear or is it better to move say 1' front and 1' in the back? Also in terms of weight distribution (shouldn't be a problem since it's just 43k, I guess).
2. Are both "oversized" signs required or just in the bank is fine?
3. Four red flags on the load in the back, no led, no night driving (I hope), it's just a 400 mile drive.
4. Will follow my prepass and ok to bypass weight stations since it's a non-petmitted load
Thank you!

 

Not trying to be a jerk, but this is kind of why you have a Motor Carrier Atlas. You do have one right?
Since you say this is 'legal', does this mean that you have a permit for it? Or is it questionable that you need one? You were pretty vague about the conditions, but you're asking as if it's a real permitted load....and on that note, if it is a real permitted load, then your permit will have most, if not all the conditions you need to worry about in the states you travel and route you will be traveling. Time to do your own research and due dilligence badvik_83 , using the tools you have available to you. Welcome to the big time.

Edit: Okay, rechecking your message after I wrote, I caught that last bit that it's not a permitted load, so the problem becomes are you sure it's not a permitted load? I may be wrong, but remember something about you can overhang a 48 ft flat, but not a 53 ft, since with the cab that tends to be the entire legal length of some vehicles (75ft I believe in GA) but that's the point of you checking your Motor Carrier Atlas to see what's legal in the states you have to run, and only then can you make the necessary preparations for the load. OS/OW is not a one size fits all. What's legal in one state/county may not be legal in another....that's why you're supposed to be getting paid the big bucks, by knowing or checking what is legal and what is not.

Here's a table of information, but it's always best to check the Motor Carriers Road Atlas or the OW/OS book...references are around here somewhere...but check this info out:
https://nationwideexpressservices.weebly.com/uploads/2/9/4/0/2940251/whats_legal_in_each_state.pdf

At least you can get an idea of the allowable overhang, front, back or not at all on the trailer type and length by checking the Motor Carrier Atlas. Good luck.

 

I missed the overall length allowances. It's 75' in most states. However, this is the case when such is limited to 65' in NY and you see thousands of semis with 53' trailers driving everywhere. I'm almost sure my combo is already at the limit on its own. Probably will have to move the overhang to the front to avoid any headache. And spend more time on research next time.
p.s. I missed too many things, incl. or starting with "non-permitted". Will have to figure out everything. Ok have to start one day anyway, though.