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When it comes to transporting an over-height equipment or load, all states have specific height limits. The given load can exceed the specific height but for it to travel through public roads, overheight permits need to be acquired. The height of the load is achieved by adding the height of the trailer and that of the load. For example, if the height of a trailer is 5’ and the height of a load is 8’6, the total height is 13.6’. When the total height exceeds the maximum height allowed by the state, special permits are acquired so that on the transportation date, structures in between the origin and destination of the load exceeding height limit are cleared. In this case, they are either lifted to a higher height or removed for the time being. Removal of overhead lines is done by the permittee. Being sure about the transport date is important so that all these arrangements are done ahead of time. Below is a table showing height limits in different states.
Transportation of over height loads is done on thru-bridges of specified routes. In most cases, carriers are required to deposit a bond that’s meant to cover possible damages on utilities or other facilities that are moved to create room for the over height load. When the height of the load exceeds the state’s specified limit, the owner will have to pay an extra fee. Below is a table showing the fee incurred per single trip. Using a specialised trailer such as a lowboy can allow you to haul taller loads than using regular trailers because they all have the same restrictions. If a regular trailer is 5’ in a state that has a maximum height limit of 13’, this trailer can haul a load of 8.5’ without exceeding the height limit. In the same state, if a lowboy trailer has a height of 3’, it can haul a load of 10.5’ without exceeding the height limit.
Shipping a load that is considered over-height requires escort vehicles. They should be equipped with a vertical clearance detection device to ensure the road is clear for the load to pass through. For efficiency, they should have uninterrupted and continuous two-way communication with the power unit. If a load exceeds 17’ in any state, it’s escorted by Highway Patrol. The flags on a trailer and escort vehicles should be at least 18 inches, square in shape, clean, red or orange fluorescent and in perfect condition. They shouldn’t bear any advertising or wording.