Help with wide load!!

I believe Hurst would be the person to ask here. Haven't heard from him in a while, must be on a long one.( or in love or govt. work) He does a lot of step deck stuff.

 

A few things you will be interested in doing.

Get a copy of the yellow book. Available at just about any truck stop. Cost is about 15.00
The book is a guide, has a lot of basic info, but not all.

Go to the DOT web site for the states you will be traveling in.
You can look up all the info on over size load permitting and routing.

Talk to shipper. Get exact load dimensions and weight.
Your going to need this info to order permits.

Plan your route, state dot sites should give you info on construction zones and other restrictions.
Check that route carefully, some roads may require one or two pilot cars, depends on load size. Also consider the time, you may have speed restrictions, curfews.

Once you have all the information collected, contact the permit office and order your permits

Most take credit or debt cards now.

 

Some states have gone to automatic routing. You put in the starting and exit points and they fill in the rest. I would highly recommend you invest in a tape measure and height stick. I never rely on the shipper for exact measurements. You can permit for wider than your load, but not less. For permitting you will need to know your axle spacing and over all length of your truck and trailer. If you run in Ohio, make sure you route for fueling, if you plan on fueling in the state. Remember, each state has their own rules. Some states may not require an escort, while another may require one or more escorts for the same load. If you have a permit service, they can be invaluable when it comes to staying on top of current rules. Most states require an escort for loads that are more than 12' wide. Make sure to read your permits over very carefully. Follow the routing exactly as stated on the permit. Some require a signature and may require a certain color of ink to be valid. You may also need flashing amber lights for the load. Georgia requires a permit to have an amber light. Take your time and make sure that you fully understand your route before pulling out. Make sure to have all flags and banners, as required. Most drivers won't respect that you are an over sized load. Some may try to pass at an inopportune time. You must be very alert at all times. I had a front escort who tried to block the road at a bridge in Arkansas a couple of years ago. One driver decided he would just go around and proceed at full speed until he saw me. I was 12'+ wide. I am still not sure how he was able to get by me without hitting my load. Thankfully, he missed me. Some states don't require escorts on freeways, but may on 2 lane roads. As I said, you need to read your permits very carefully. Also, read the state regulations for any state you plan on running so you fully understand what is needed in that state. Good luck.

 

This may not be to complicated if we knew from where to where. A lot of difference in a 12-6 wide in the NE than in the SW.

This info is probably more accurate than the famous "book"
http://www.heavyhaul.net/oversize_permits-escorts-requirements/
Find a permit service and let them get the permits.

 

All States have the exact info posted on their websites that is in the book. It is just convenient to have it all in book form. A lot of States have low clearance routes on their web site and some even post width restrictions whether temporary or permanent. The web sites will offer the latest and greatest info. As for ordering your permits do it yourself. Permit service charges are high. Some states require them to be named as additional insured but that is no big deal. Insurance companies do it everyday. If you are under that states statutory height limit and under width to where you don't require an escort, you might not even have a route on the permit. Some states let you run at night. Know their lighting requirements. Some have metropolitan curfews. All states have a provision sheet, some States require you to provide it as well as the permit. Not having the provisions sheet is almost as bad as not having a permit. I don't care what people say on here if you have any questions find out prior to entering that state either by look at the states DOT web site or calling the permit office directly. You might have to wait on hold for a while but they will answer your questions and won't steer you wrong. The bigger the load the bigger the fine.

 

I made the mistake one time of starting IA before I had NE and the Iowa permit started 80 miles south of where NE ended. I know of some other states in the northeast that will do that as well

 

We definitely need this info. Pilot cars? How big is this load that you are required more than 1 escort?

Depending on the load, your mirrors may be useless. Sure you have pilot cars, but you can't trust your career to pilot cars. Even if you give them copies of the permits, it is still your responsibility to know that route and the regs. Do not just blindly follow pilot cars, because some pilot cars will follow their GPS like the dumb truck drivers do.

Plan your fuel stops carefully. Top your fuel tanks off before you load.if you are over 13 ft wide, do not try to pull that load through a Loves or Peelot fuel island.

Anyway, let us know your starting point and finish point and we can help more.

 

You can get thru a pilot fuel island but you better be perfectly centered and straight.

 

The op should try to learn how to do things legal.

 

Just learning oversize, I suggest you have a permit service get your permits.
Plenty of more information to read on the internet. Most sites that have permit/escort service will information for your needs.
Preplan your route. IF you are 12' or wider it can be stressful getting parked in a full/busy truckstop.
Good luck.