Oversized loads, who does them, and routing?

Depends on the load. For longer loads, flats beat out steps and rgns. But the taller or the heavier the load, the lower you’d want that deck to be. There is no one trailer that can haul it all. If you want the most versatile trailer possible, it’s the 53ft step.

I use an old GPS that I bought in 2003. I read road signs to stay on route. In some places, you see your highway route and then you see your highway number with Truck Route. I follow the marked truck route.

If the route is questionable, like Texas will route a superload through downtown Dallas when there’s absolutely no need to even go through there, I will call the state and get the permit amended. When pulling a big load, even with pilot cars, some non driving Neanderthal idiot supreme will hit your rig. If you’re on route, you’re safe. If you are off route, you’re sunk.

“But Six, WHAT IF you don’t fit on the route? What happens then?”

There will be a message on the permit saying something about how, if you use this permit, you are to understand that there’s no guarantee that you will fit and you cannot hold the state DOT liable. In other words you roll at your risk. You better really know how to maneuver, to read and make split second decisions. Get your rest. The bigger the load, the more difficult the route. You’d better have the patience of an immortal before you accept that load.

 

[QUOTE="TripleSix, post: 8142361, member: 28058] There will be a message on the permit saying something about how, if you use this permit, you are to understand that there’s no guarantee that you will fit and you cannot hold the state DOT liable. In other words you roll at your risk. You better really know how to maneuver, to read and make split second decisions. Get your rest[/QUOTE]

In my very brief experience, this was always the craziest part to me.

Edit: Do NOT deviate from permitted route. Huge no no.

 

In my very brief experience, this was always the craziest part to me.[/QUOTE]
You are probably in that stage of your career where all the "ex-heavyhauler" ex-navyseal/greenberet ghostsquad greasy haired smelly fat Fup, try to argue with you something some other fake told them at a lunch counter. I myself just pick on the cute waitress.

 

Anything without sides or a roof does it.

 

My GPS was a rand McNally atlas

 

Shotgun 94, just wondering why you asked the question regarding oversize loads. Are you looking to buy a trailer and pull oversize? Or just thinking about getting into the open deck niche?

I pull flatbed and haul oversize occasionally. Nothing really to it except planning your route and sticking to it and obeying each state's travel regulations. I don't pull my own permits as the company I am leased does it, but they consult with me on the desired route. Some states will require you to shut down 30 minutes prior to sunset, some 30 minutes after, others are 24/7 continuous.

The loads I pull on my flat are most often HVAC units, tires and docks. It would be nice to know a little more information and the reason you asked the question to give you a better reply.

 

I rarely move a legal size load and with that, we use just about every type of open deck known to man. Today I'm pulling a stretch flat at 20' wide and 63' long. Last week I was pulling a special built stretch double drop (not an RGN) that closed is 49' and open is 70'. We move another 20 wide on special built steps then there's the RGN's, regular steps and regular flats.

If you want to specialize, then an RGN but if you don't already have some work lined up your going to find it as very tough row to hoe.