Oversize questions

there is no substitute for experience, those sites are a waste
you just need to go for it and go load by load until you figure it out
order your permits and read directly from the states websites on their specific rules.. with a flatbed you're not gonna run into anything very complicated

 

With a flatbed you’re best to start taking over width loads first.

Get used to that first then get into the over height game as that can get dicey.

 

If they pay much more, especially if you are just seeing listed prices on load boards

First, what does "so much more" mean? 5-4$/mi? That better be for barely oversize 55 long, under 10 foot wide, a 2000 mi run with such a load may not even break 3$/mi after you pay for permits banners flags and lights.
if you need specialized stretch trailers or you need to run an escort, youre back under 2$/mi or less fast

2nd, if it pays more on a load board, what are the chances theyre actually offering a fair rate in the first place? (Hint, they arent)

3rd, you have the discipline/ability to talk to the customers and properly plan things out? Ive run loads that cost me 3 days sitting because they didnt have the right size crane to unload before, ive run loads that caught me out sitting for no travel for oversize over holiday weekends, that wasted time is also wasted money

4th, are they going to pay you promptly or are you waiting 180 days + until the job is complete before you get paid, the extra % after 90 days is simply the cost of doing buisness for some many million dollar jobs

5th, do you want to do oversize or do you just want more money? Oversize is a weird itch to scratch, personally i dont much care for much overwide or tall, i did however very much enjoy long loads (think 100+ foot long beams)

Advice, run your own numbers on what you think things will cost, it will take much longer loading and unloading, travel will be slower (good luck getting into your favorite little fuel station) fuel costs increase from decreased mpg. Your route will be proscribed by the permits, times of day, travel speed reduced.

Permits, escort costs, those will be per the state, flags banners and lights both upfront and maintenance costs

Will the insurance need to go up for that load?

Now look at the number you get, is it REALLY paying any more? And they arent even paying you for any extra hazards or experience doing it (granted you dont yet have experience but they dont need to know that)

 

Simply an OUT-STANDING post.

Too bad there aren't more like it...

-- L

 

Yeah good info, but it’s hardly relative

hes just starting out and has a flatbed, he’s going to have 40$ permits be traveling on the same highways as he would be empty . More Mpg and maintenance is hardly a factor. Loading/unloading and pay times aren’t much different then regular loads. He likely will never need escorts.. He needs 6 flags and 2 banners. Probably never even need lights.. he can probably run at night for most of what he’s gonna do lol

he’s not even done a load. you’re throwing all this stuff at him. Just go do a couple easy ones and you’ll have a whole new understanding and new set of questions. There’s a 100 threads on here you can read as well

 

Most of these links want $$ I’m guessing?

I actually use “The Permit Company “ - Texas office.

About $25 per state issued.

 

That's $25 plus the state charge for each permit.
State cost varies from $25 -$100.
Some states it's cost effective to by a quarterly or annual permit.

each state has a oversize permit website. Most states you can self issue and save the $25 handling fee. Small oversize permits get issued quick.
Good luck.

 

I agree that was very thorough and very good. I've been doing this for many many years and I couldn't of wrote a post that good which I'm not all that great at it either.

 

Very well said!