Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is Heavy Hauling?

Heavy hauling is the process of transporting a load that exceeds the legal limits that a given jurisdiction places on weight or size. Any load that exceeds a legal limitation on length, width, height, or weight is a job for a heavy hauler. There are federal regulations for these dimensions that all states must follow, but some states place greater limitations on what can be hauled within their borders.

Length and width limits sometimes include limits on overhang, or the amount of the load that can extend beyond the dimensions of its trailer. Height limits include the height of the trailer, meaning that some extremely tall loads require specialized trailers. Weight limits are determined based on the weight of the load as well as the number of axles of the hauling vehicle.

2. Is My Load Oversize?

Your load needs to exceed certain legal limits for it to be considered oversize. Exact regulations vary by state, but there are a few limits that typically necessitate oversize permits if exceeded:

• Overall height of the load: 13’6″
• Overall width of the load: 8’6″
• Length of the trailer: 48′
• Overall weight of the load and the power unit: 80,000 pounds

Again, regulations vary by state. If you are unsure about your specific state’s regulations, give us a call and we will clarify for you! Our team knows every state’s updated regulations on oversize loads and will help you get the clarity you need.

3. Do I Need a Pilot Vehicle?

Pilot vehicle regulations vary by jurisdiction, but there are a few benchmarks that typically necessitate the use of a pilot vehicle. These are the typical limits which, if exceeded, warrant the use of a pilot vehicle:

• Width: If the load is over 13 feet wide, it usually needs one or more pilot vehicles to accompany it. These vehicles will display a sign reading “Oversize Load” or “Wide Load,” as well as colorful flags, to alert surrounding traffic to their presence.
• Height: If the load exceeds 14 feet in height, it may require the use of a height pole on the lead pilot vehicle. This pole ensures that the vehicle towing the large load won’t try to pass under an overpass that doesn’t have the clearance to accommodate it.
• Length: Loads that measure more than 100 feet in length typically require one or more pilot vehicles.

If you are unsure if your load requires pilot vehicles, just ask one of our expert agents. You can either call us at (800) 398-5905 or email us at info@ampmheavyhaulers.com.

4. Can I Schedule a Heavy Haul for the Weekend?

Once again, every state has different regulations on this point. For example, Arkansas allows the transport of oversize loads seven days a week, while Alabama doesn’t permit them on Sundays. Michigan allows transport on the weekends, but only before 3 p.m. If you want to know if you can do a weekend transport to or through a specific state, give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out!

5. Can I Schedule a Heavy Haul for Overnight?

Heavy hauling is often restricted during the night due to concerns about visibility. While some states, like California, allow heavy hauls at any time of day, other states, like Alabama, restrict oversize transport to one half-hour before sunrise through one half-hour after sunset. Each state has its own specific restrictions, but overnight transport is one of the more common ones.

6. Where Do You Transport To?

We are proud to offer heavy haul transport in all of the 48 contiguous US states. AMPMHeavyHaulers.com stays up-to-date on all of the local regulations that may affect a heavy haul, ensuring that your load will not run into any unforeseen complications along the way. And we know how to find you the perfect route to save you time and money.

7. Will You Insure My Load While It’s in Transport?

Of course! We are insured fully so that you won’t have to worry even if your load is damaged while it’s out on the road. This is just a small part of our commitment to your security.

Our sister company, Safeline Insurance, ensures that we are in full compliance with California insurance regulations at all times. There’s no risk with us; we are more than ready for any situation that may arise.

8. What Kind of Permits Do I Need for My Oversize Load?

Depending on what kind of oversize or overweight load you have, you may need one or more permits. There are permits for overweight, overheight, and overwidth vehicles. Which permits you need will depend on your load and your state. Don’t worry about trying to figure out all of these regulations yourself, though. We will take care of it for you! If you want more information on these permits, check out OverweightPermits.com.

9. What Kinds of Trailers Do You Have for Shipping?

AMPMHeavyHaulers.com has an extensive network of haulers that utilize a variety of trailers. Here’s what we can offer you for your transport:

• Flatbed trailers: The most basic and common heavy haul trailers, flatbeds are a great option for people and companies on a budget. Not all loads can be shipped on flatbeds because of their relatively high clearance, but for those that can fit, this is the best option.
• Step deck trailers: Step deck trailers are great for loads that have multiple parts that all need to be shipped together. These trailers have a main deck like a flatbed and a secondary “step” deck that allows for smaller parts of the load to rest on a separate deck.
• Double drop deck trailers: If you want a deck but also need lower clearance for an overheight load, double drop deck trailers can provide both. These versatile trailers are great for extremely tall loads with the need for a little bit more carrying capacity.
• Lowboy trailers: The lowest of the low, lowboys are the best option for extremely tall loads that simply wouldn’t fit on any other trailer. Lowboys provide an option for loads that would otherwise qualify as superloads, which come with their own set of expensive superload permits.
• Removable gooseneck trailers: Many trailers come with removable goosenecks to make roll-on/roll-off loading possible. These trailers are best for light-to medium-duty loads because they often compromise hauling capacity for loading and unloading convenience.
• Landoll trailers: Landoll trailers are a specific brand of trailer that uses hydraulics to make loading and unloading easier. For powered vehicles on a time crunch, Landolls provide an option that cuts down on the time it takes for loading and unloading.
• Up to 18-axle trailers: For extra-long loads or superloads, we offer much larger trailers that can haul nearly anything. Trailers with more axles than usual have greater carrying capacity, both in terms of length and weight. So for loads that are overdimensional, even for heavy hauls, we have these specialized trailers that can haul anything under the sun.

10. How Fast Can You Get Me a Quote?

Once you request a quote from us, our team will start reviewing your case immediately. Sometimes the quoting process takes a bit longer or our team is too busy to start a new quote immediately. However, we guarantee that we will get you a quote within one business day.

11. What Happens if My Shipment Gets Damaged During Transport?

We do everything that we can to ensure that your cargo stays safe during transport. However, accidents happen. That’s why we always carry extensive cargo insurance to ensure that you get the full value of your equipment, machinery, or other heavy haul shipment. We want to assure you that no matter what happens to your load during shipment, you won’t be on the hook for any of it. While your property is in our care, it’s in good hands.

12. Will My Load Be Compatible with Roll-On/Roll-Off or Lift-On/Lift-Off?

Every load has different specifications, which require different methods for loading and unloading. AMPMHeavyHaulers.com always makes sure to pair its loads with the perfect loading and unloading method.

Roll-on/Roll-off loading is the right method for shipping heavy vehicles with their own power. Many of our heavy shipments are for vehicles like diggers and dump trucks. For these shipments, it doesn’t make sense to use a crane to load them onto our trailers. So, we’ll simply drive it onto the trailer! Many modern trailers, like RGNs, have built-in ramps for these vehicles to load and unload quickly and easily. This service saves time, which means that you get your vehicle as quickly as you need.

Lift-on/Lift-off loading is the more common option for heavy hauling. For a number of reasons, things that require a heavy hauling service to get around often don’t have their own power. These types of loads include trailers, boats, and huge industrial machines. For any loads that can’t drive onto a trailer themselves, we use a crane to lift them onto and off of our trailers. For these shipments, it’s usually best to use a low-clearance trailer like a double drop deck to make the process easier.

13. What is the Difference Between Pull-Away and Loading a Load on a Trailer?

Sometimes, people want to use their own trailers for shipments. This happens often with boats that have their own dedicated trailers. These types of loads wouldn’t make sense to use one of our trailers when they have their own. So, we’d ship these loads using our pull-away service. With pull-away, we only provide the service that you need. One of our drivers will pick up your trailer and drive it wherever you need it to go, saving time and money for you. Not all shipments can be shipped using pull-away transport, but if you have your own trailer, we will use it when we can.

14. What is the Difference Between Drive-Away and Shipping on a Trailer?

Usually, our shipments require the use of our specialized trailers and trucks. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, you may want to use your own truck and trailer for your shipment but do not want to drive it yourself. Maybe you’re worried about the safety concerns that come with long drives with a heavy trailer, or maybe you simply don’t want to make the drive yourself. With AMPMHeavyHaulers.com’s drive-away transport service, we will send one of our excellent drivers to pick up your keys and get driving! They will put their experience to good use while you sit back and relax, knowing that whatever you need shipped will get to its destination without a problem.