This is the top category for my business and is my specialty.

Oversized freight is  interpreted as anything over 8’6 wide, 9’6 in height or 53’ in length in most states. A load can be under dimensional in size but still be considered oversized freight due to its weight.

Many brokers say they can do this type of work, but few are capable. One reason why this type of work pays well is it is not for the faint of heart or those lacking in knowledge of the industry. A simple mistake can cost an operator thousands of dollars.

Each state interprets freight rules differently, thus another reason why oversized is so complex. One load I remember from years ago was a  crane house  to a Manitowoc 999. The guys who tore the machine down forgot to load one piece, and nobody caught it until it was a thousand-plus miles down the road. That truck had the misfortune of being stopped at a Port of Entry in a state known for its toughness on the rules. He sat for a week before we were able to fix him, costing that truck thousands of dollars in lost revenue and fines.

If you want your oversize load in the hands of professionals look no further. My connections in the industry are second to none.

Flatbed and Step Deck Freight is another area I have spent a significant amount of time and energy on.

This is anything that can be placed on an open deck trailer to be shipped. These trucks are often asked to tarp their load or use what is called a Conestoga or Curtain Van to keep the freight dry. A full load for one of these trailers is usually around 45,000 lbs. There are different trailer manufacturers that offer more capacity, but trucks are limited to 80,000 lbs. before they are considered oversized for weight. That is where the line is drawn in the sand on freight rates.

Some step deck trucks have loading ramps they carry with them. These trailers are used to load all kinds of wheeled or tracked heavy equipment. The ramps come in a couple of formats, but the ones I prefer are a full set 16’ in length and are rated for 22,500 lbs. per side. Height on a Step deck should not exceed 9’6, if it does then it is time to move on to a Double Drop RGN (removable goose neck).

Hot shot is yet another open deck truck option for Less Than Load or LTL freight. Most of these trucks haul 15,000 lbs. or less, some have 40 ft decks but that is usually as big as they come.

One of the most popular Removable Goose Neck trailers running in the country today is the Double drop. It has a 24-inch unloaded deck height and flat upper decks that allow an operator opportunities to pick a few LTL’s (Less Than Load) or a light Step Deck load that fits. These trailers typically haul less than 40,000 lbs without a permit. The “well” on these trailers is normally around 29 feet. Some of these trailers are stretch units that will open and expand the well to move larger objects. Since weight is such a huge factor in the trucking industry many operators buy trailers with a mechanical neck just to save the weight. It makes hooking up the trailer more physically involved and a little more time consuming but worth it when it is on the scales. 

RGN’s come in a variety of configurations. The higher capacity trailers do not have the flat upper decks, mostly because it is a waste of usable weight. This is where the only piece of freight on the truck is the load and nothing else. Some of these trailers are modular and can add a piece of deck into the trailer to make the well longer, unlike the stretch trailers that unlock and slide open. 

RGN Beam trailers are used to move some of the biggest and heaviest objects anywhere. The big difference is the trailer will let the load sit as low as possible. Big dozers, as an example, can be driven over the beam when it is detached. When the trailer is hooked up it lifts the load from the base of the machine to the tracks. This allows much taller loads than any thing that sits on the deck.