Debate & Definition of a Specialized Heavy Haul Operator

I have stared this thread due to my interest in the TRUE debate of this issue/definition.

i would prefer that actual Heavy Haul Operators participating state that such, as the true nature if the skills and knowledge involved are the people I'd like to hear from...

this is a copy & paste from another thread to keep from derailing the other thread and keeping this discussion on track...

 

To begin, as an example...I have over 23yrs in the business. Nineteen of them in step deck to start and exclusively Heavy Haul operations for over 8.

By exclusively H/H I mean nothing without at least both a jeep & booster. I haven't moved a "legal" load in almost 10years.

I haven't moved a load that was Super-load Status in at least 5yrs.

 

I would have to say anything that is over the dimensions of the trailers size. You can and I have moved plenty of 16 and above loads on a 5 axle step and flat. This should also include stretch loads. It takes more than a little skill to negotiate corners and city streets wide , long and heavy. No to mention what it takes to be able to know how to secure those large odd shaped loads that we have all hauled. No securement book or training will tell you that it takes experience and time to learn and a lot of common sense

 

Im sorry, but, no. I used to think that too...oversize is NOT Heavy Haul.

They may be similar, but they are not even close to the same.

IMHO if we are going to even come close to a special designation, it must start at Super-load Status. If we want to have a special designation, we have to start with what the states consider extraordinary.

 

Yea, sounds great. More union slackers and government oversight is just what EVERYONE needs. So I guess 120K isnt heavy haul yet? Ive been doing it in the worst road conditions since I was 21, didnt need any special training, and never had a collision yet.

 

depends on what you haul heavy. cuz there's variations.

i'd consider anything over 80k heavy haul. although probably not in the category your talking about.

dump trucks and pups will haul over 80. including double bellies. get the right axles and they'll haul upwards of 140k.

then you've got the 4 axle otr trucks with 4 axle trailers.

then you've got all the trucks in michigan. just a standard truck and trailer but the trailer is lined with axles front to rear. one guy at a rest area says he can haul 160k i think it was. with truck and just the one trailer. i felt like an outcast being the only 5 axle driver in that state.

just last month. i saw one driver pulling 2 side dumps. completely lined with axles. can't remember his number but it was well above 200k. he was hauling potatoes in south dakota.

 

I'd like to see a picture of that rig!

 

I guess I'm confused. You open a discussion about the definition of heavy haul (or at least I *think* that's what you were asking, but to be honest I got kind of lost in all the subordinate clauses, but I digress) then you tell the very first respondent that he is wrong. Sorry but that is against the rules. At first glance, it seems you want to tell everyone what heavy haul is.

What with all the flashing lights and pole cars and traveling in daytime only and not traveling with your windshield wipers on....sounds too easy too me. How do you shift gears with a skirt on...automatic transmission? Heck, in ON and MI you don't even need a permit for "heavy" haul and you're expected to drive all types of roads in all types of weather at night grossing 120,000 with wiggle wagons.

 

SO really all those 16-20 wide loads that don't push over 25,000 lbs or the 120 ft streach loads Don't count???? HUH interesting.
BTW a 16 wide is not superload in some states and loads as small as 13 in others.
You asked a question with open parameters, but reject all the answers that are given. So what are you looking for?
Heavy haul is defined by any load that exceeds the dimensions of the vehicle. Yes this is the definition as an industry norm.
But then again the multi axle over 80,000lbs what are they then?

 

i don't see how OVERSIZED. gets classified as HEAVY.

and i don't see how HEAVY would define anything exceeding the vehicle dimensions.

if heavy is oversized. then why aren't all those heavy trucks carrying flags and oversized banners as they roll down the highway.,