Truckers are busy carrying heavy loads across the country throughout the year. Even though their advanced trucks are made to carry heavy loads easily over long distances, they still require additional time to deliver an oversized load. In this article, we will discuss some factors that make oversized load transportation a time-consuming task.
What is an Oversized Load?
An oversized load can be any item that exceeds the ordinary size and weight limits of a cargo that requires shipping. Therefore, safely shipping an oversized load would be impossible without the help of trucking professionals. These shipments can take a lot of time even if you hire professionals.
Factors Responsible for Increasing Oversized Load Transportation Time
Route
The best possible route from the pickup to the drop location might not be the most effective one due to the weight and size of the shipment. Before starting the transportation, truckers would be required to plan out the trip in advance to avoid as many obstacles as possible during the journey.
This is necessary because many routes may have tunnels where it would be impossible to carry the oversized load. Besides small tunnels, the trucker responsible for the transportation would also avoid narrow roads and roads with sharp turns to prevent damage and accidents. The final route planned is likely to be longer, subsequently taking more time for the delivery.
Transport Oversized Loads
Shipping Permits
Oversized shipments can be problematic for other people using the road. To provide convenience and safety to other passengers, authorities make it mandatory for truckers shipping oversized loads to carry a permit for the same. Since the ideal shipping route could pass through various states during the journey, the trucker is required to acquire these permits from every state to prevent hefty penalties. Even though all major trucking companies have annual permits for carrying heavier loads, emerging companies apply for each project or in situations when they receive multiple oversized shipping orders at once.
In-Transit Problems
Even after perfectly planning the trip, truckers can still encounter various unforeseen problems during the shipping. Accidents, traffic diversion, on-road construction work, and traffic jams can stop the trucker from swiftly delivering the oversized load to the destination.
Weather is another major factor that can either slow down or cause a complete halt to transportation. A trucker is also forced to delay the transportation to provide optimum safety for the shipment. Rain, heavy wind, and storms can easily damage the cargo, causing the client substantial financial loss.
Slower Transportation Speed
Responsible truckers promise to deliver every cargo in perfect condition regardless of the distance between the pickup and drop location. However, during the trip, they also have to make sure the road remains safe for all the people using the road. Speeding increases the chance of accidents, which is why drivers carrying oversized cargo drive slower than usual.
Conclusion
Planning the route, driving safely, and acquiring state permits are major reasons that result in slower deliveries of oversized loads. Clients should remain patient with oversized cargo deliveries and contact truckers earlier to get their cargo delivered on time!