Oversize/ Overweight Tips

I do a lot of planning when I haul over size, especially if it is something unusual or a route that I am not all that familiar. I also don't rely on memory when it comes to different states and their requirements. At one time you could haul wider loads in Oklahoma without an escort. These days you need an escort for anything over 12' wide. I took a 13' wide load from south Texas to western Colorado and the only place that I needed an escort was about 70 miles in Oklahoma. I could have taken a chance and may or may not have gotten caught, but I won't take a chance, especially with an OD load. There was another truck hauling the same load that told me he was not going to get an escort. Frankly, it is bad business when you take that kind of chance.

 

Brought an OD load from Indy to Ohio that way a couple weeks ago and wanted to be routed off that exit, permit people said no way ,Ohio won't allow oversize on rt40 exit 156

 

and politicans wonder why we dislike them greatly

 

PA and NC have joined OH in reqiring fuel and rest stop exits be on the permit.

 

After reading this thread, I'm glad I only haul in Maryland and Delaware.

Maryland you don't have to sign the permit but Delaware you do. I had a decent officer let me go on that little issue. Just glad he didn't weigh me. Would of been 84,000 on an 80'000 permit.

 

"Oversize/ Overweight Tips"

#1 Stay away from the buffets

#2 Stay away from the McDonald's


That's about it LOL


On a serious note tho, very good info here

 

I would like to thank this one 100 times.....
Some of the roads Pa. gives you to run aren't even on the county maps..wtf

 

It is very important to read any permit very carefully. I usually prefer to submit my own routes, but they are always subject to be changed by the issuing state. Some routes can really be screwy. You also need to be aware of any signage along the way that may counter what the permit says.

 

I would think that if you've been permitted, you can make the argument that signage doesn't apply? Of course, ignore height / width limitations at your own peril

 

Most of the time states are good about routing oversized loads. I was talking to a driver the other day who told me about a trip that he took and the DOT was working on the road and wanted to route him differently than what was on his permits. From his story, it took several hours to get things sorted out. He refused to deviate from his route due to what his permit stated. The DOT wanted him to route around their construction, but he could have been ticketed for being out of his route.

Routing can be more of a problem if you buy annual permits. With an annual you can usually go anywhere in the state, but you need to be aware of what is ahead and be careful to take note of any restrictions.