3 Considerations To Think About When Hauling Oversized Items On A Flatbed

There are many benefits to hauling your items on a flatbed, including the fact that flatbed trailers can be used to haul items that are too tall or too wide (or both) to be hauled in a more traditional trailer. Even though a flatbed can make hauling oversized items a lot easier, there are still some extra considerations that you should think about if you want to get the job done safely, legally and without causing damage to the materials or equipment that you are hauling.

1. Permits

First of all, you should know that there is a good chance that you will need a permit (or multiple permits) if you are going to be hauling oversized items. Check with the county and the city or town that you will be hauling in. If you are going to be hauling across county lines or through different cities or towns, you will need to contact each jurisdiction to find out about the necessary permits. If you hire a flatbed hauling company like Apex Transportation, the company should handle all of this for you.

2. Escorts

Many jurisdictions require that you use escorts -- or people who drive smaller vehicles ahead of and behind the flatbed truck and trailer -- to warn surrounding traffic of the oversized load. Even if this isn't required in the jurisdiction that your items will be hauled in, it's still a smart idea if you want to avoid accidents and protect both the others on the road and your equipment or materials. It's also a good way to help reduce liability in case something does happen.

3. Proper Tie-Downs

Even though the flatbed truck might seem sturdy enough to easily transport your items, you should still make sure that everything is tied down properly using straps or chains. It is best to err on the side of caution and use "too many" straps or chains than to not use enough and to risk an accident. Never use the services of a hauling company that does not take this step seriously, as hauling equipment or materials without proper tie-downs can be very dangerous for everyone on the road and can result in expensive damages.

As you can see, there are multiple considerations that you need to keep in mind when hauling oversized items on a flatbed. Luckily, if you hire the right flatbed hauling company, you should not have anything to worry about.