WE ARE OPEN - SERVING ALL 50 STATES & INTERNATIONAL
Speak with a live expert now
Quick. Reliable. Hassle-Free.
Speak with an expert logistics agent to move your equipment quickly and at an affordable rate!
Escort vehicles, also known as pilot cars or pilot vehicles, in many areas are typically a compact or small pickup outfitted with a variety of warning equipment. Trucks carrying oversized loads or convoys of large vehicles often require an escort vehicle. In some cases, law enforcement escorts are necessary in addition to regular pilot cars. As well as traveling alongside heavy loads, pilot vehicles are often used in areas such as construction sites and airports for taxiing large equipment and guiding motorists through potentially dangerous areas. In many cases, the company providing a pilot vehicle will specialize in either oversized transport, convoy escorts for high-security or high-profile events, or both.
On two-lane roads, an escort will typically take up a position in front of the load when accompanying oversized loads. On larger roads, e.g., four- or six-lane highways, escorts often transition from the front to the rear. However, this depends on the size of the load; oversized loads may require two or more escorts at all times, one at the front of the convoy and one at the rear.
Since it is illegal in most areas for the pilot car at the convoy’s front to cross the center line into oncoming traffic, it can be more difficult for them to get oncoming traffic to stop for the over-dimensional load that’s traveling behind them. This is especially true in areas where the roads narrow significantly. Coming up to narrow bridges, for example, the lead car will radio back to the truck driver to advise them of oncoming traffic, so they can stop before the bridge and wait for a gap in the traffic to cross over.
Rear pilot cars will remain following at a safe distance from the rear of a truck carrying an oversized load. If more than one truck is traveling as part of the pack, the vehicle will be found after the convoy’s last truck. Pilot cars at the rear may switch lanes at short notice and help to slow down or block traffic by occupying other lanes when trucks and trailers carrying oversized loads need to make a turning, as the cargo will need to cross lanes to do so.
Pilot vehicles are needed to legally transport oversized loads through almost every state in the U.S. Each state has its own requirements that heavy haulers need to meet to be considered safe to travel on that state’s highways. Texas pilot vehicles are required to escort loads that exceed the following dimensions:
As in many other states, the number of pilot vehicles varies based on the types of roads used. For example, two-lane highways only require one pilot car at the front, whereas dividing routes also need rear escorts. For the largest shipments, those exceeding 16′ width, 18′ height, and 125′ length, front and rear pilots are usually required on all roads.
In addition to being a useful tool for blocking off lanes when large trucks carrying over-dimensional loads need to make a turning, pilot vehicles are required overall to increase road safety and warn other road users. Pilot vehicles typically warn other road users using flags, lights, and other safety features.
Connect with transport specialists who know how to get your load there safely and on time.
Many ‘normal’ vehicles can easily be outfitted to be used as a pilot car when necessary. Not only are pilot cars equipped with CB radios so they can remain in contact with other members of the fleet to issue warnings, but they may also be required by state law to travel with height poles, warning flags, amber lighting, and oversized load signs on display, depending on the route. Many states have additional emergency equipment required as standard, such as fluorescent clothing, warning triangles, and road flares.
In a nutshell, pilot cars and escort vehicles are needed for oversize loads because they increase security and warn other road users about the dangers ahead.
Heavy Haulers provides pilot car and escort vehicle services in all 50 states. We have top quality trailers and escorts to transport your oversize loads anywhere you need them to be. For more information, give us a call now!
Loading equipment via forklift is common in many industries, and because the step deck trailer platform sits closer to the ground, it means forklift operators don’t need to raise the forks as high to load and unload cargo. Thus, the loading and unloading process for step deck trailers is much safer for everybody involved.
Another essential advantage of shipping machinery using step deck trailers is that the lower deck height can allow up to 41″ of additional cargo height more than a standard flatbed trailer before you’ll need to apply for a height permit.
Large cargo can be placed lower to the ground, ensuring that the shipment meets federal shipping and transport regulations without additional paperwork stress or delays. Using a step deck trailer tow, you can transport equipment up to 11ft in height, whereas flatbed trailers can carry equipment with a max height of 8ft.
See How Easy It Is To Ship With The Pros
Each month, Heavy Haulers features a transport by a standout agent. Featured transports spotlight the best transport and logistics agent of the month.
Heavy Haulers offer trustworthy and reliable transportation services for all varieties of freight including shipments of individual, commercial, and heavy machinery.
Our trained logistics professionals make sure your load arrives on time, and in the same shape in which it departed. See recent customers who’ve shared their move with us!