As a freight shipping company, flatbed hauling company, and a heavy equipment hauler, we understand the challenges that heavy haul transporters face when transporting oversized loads in bad weather conditions. These challenges include difficulties in handling large vehicles, regulatory restrictions, cargo type, poor visibility, unexpected road closures, and increased risk of accidents. Fortunately, modern technology advancements, weather forecasting, route optimization, and alternative transportation solutions are available for heavy shippers to mitigate these challenges.
Vehicle Type: Handling Large Vehicles during Harsh Weather
One of the significant challenges that heavy haul transporters face in bad weather is handling large vehicles like flatbed trucks and trailers. Strong winds can make it challenging to control and steer the vehicle, while icy or wet roads can lead to skidding or jackknifing. To mitigate these challenges, it is essential to invest in modern technology advancements like advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). ADAS provides features such as stability control to improve vehicle safety and anti-lock braking to prevent skidding. Additionally, providing drivers with real-time weather updates and GPS tracking systems can help them stay updated on the current road conditions and road closures affected by the weather.
Cargo Type: Transporting Heavy Construction Equipment during Harsh Weather
Transporting heavy construction equipment or oversized loads during bad weather presents additional risks. It’s crucial to secure the equipment or cargo during the transportation process to prevent shifting. Moreover, shifting becomes more likely as the weather becomes more severe. To mitigate this challenge, heavy shipping companies can invest in secure strapping systems and provide drivers with proper training on securing and protecting cargo.
Regulatory Restrictions: Adherence to Hours-of-Service Rules during Harsh Weather
Even when weather conditions are severe, drivers must adhere to HOS (hours of service) rules, which can limit drivers’ flexibility to adjust their schedules in response to weather conditions. To manage this challenge, it’s essential to plan routes ahead of time to optimize travel times in favorable weather conditions. Additionally, driver scheduling can be made flexible by having backup drivers or provisional routes that the primary driver can leave, if necessary, in a waiting area to avoid break route regulations.
Other Factors: Poor Visibility and Unexpected Road Closures
Poor visibility, unexpected road closures, and increased risk of accidents are other challenges that drivers often encounter during bad weather. To mitigate these challenges, drivers and Flatbed Truck Companies must monitor weather forecasts regularly and adjust routes accordingly. Route optimization software can help identify the safest, most efficient routes, taking into account weather conditions, traffic, and road closures.
Alternative Transportation: Most Effective Hauling Solutions during Harsh Weather
In some cases, it may be safer and more efficient to use alternative modes of transportation, such as rail or air freight, to bypass severe weather conditions. Heavy machinery hauling companies and flatbed shipping companies should have strategies in place to switch transport modes when conditions become too risky. These strategies can be developed through prior contingency planning that ensures delivery times without sacrificing the safety of drivers and equipment.
As a heavy equipment hauler, flatbed hauling company, and freight shipping company, we are dedicated to providing practical solutions that address the challenges of transporting oversized loads during bad weather. To guarantee the timely delivery of your cargo while ensuring the safety of our drivers and equipment, call Heavy Haul Transporting at (844)337-4909. Our team of experienced heavy shipping companies will work with you to develop custom strategies that meet all your shipping needs.
