The Biggest Things Ever Moved on the Road

Man has moved countless things on the road. But what if those loads were supersized? Would it be impossible for people to move cargo that weighs hundreds of tons on the road? Not with specialized heavy haul trailers around.

A space shuttle – NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavor, the successor to the ill-fated Challenger, was transported on a heavy haul trailer 12 miles from LAX to the California Science Center in Inglewood where it stays on display today.

When Your Trailer Just Needs More Wheels

When transporting heavy loads, the difference between success and failure can sometimes come down to the number of wheels on your flatbed or lowboy trailer. The greater the number of wheels on a vehicle, the better its weight distribution, so having more wheels definitely counts as an advantage when you’re tasked to haul exceptionally heavy loads.

Factors to Consider for Mobile Concrete Plants

The ready mixed concrete manufacturing industry yields an estimated $30 billion in product value, according to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). If you want to be part of this lucrative sector, you may want to consider operating mobile concrete plants. By using the right equipment and methods in keeping with regulations, you can generate a healthy and steady income stream.

Securing permits

Aside from acquiring the standard business authorizations, you have to obtain special permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since concrete batching produces gas emissions, it is regulated to limit harmful effects on the environment. Make sure that the materials and equipment you use are in line with EPA standards

Maintaining consistency

Your business can only be successful if your products are of excellent quality. Construction companies want only suitable materials for their projects, and you can expect them to be repeat clients only if you sell high-grade concrete. Make sure that you use equipment specified for ready mixed concrete production. Look for heavy haul trailers that allow you to transport and maintain the quality of your heavy machines and products.

Employing professionals

You also need to maintain a competent team of professionals. Highly skilled people should operate your equipment and supervise your manufacturing and delivery processes. These individuals can contribute immensely to the success of your mobile concrete plant business.

Stuff to secure on Lowboys

Heavy haul trailers such as the so-called “lowboy” models are often a boon to companies seeking transport of a large volume of materials. As their name implies, the main cargo bed is already machined to be more aligned with the trailer wheels’ axles, allowing for a lower center of gravity. Some sellers have models of between 55 tons to 60 tons. The design helps in the ease of loading, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has limited the types of materials that can be loaded onto lowboys. Here are a couple of them:

Vehicles

A lowboy trailer may have space for at least one vehicle, whether it’s an automobile, van, or light truck, as long as they each weigh no more than 10,000 pounds. However, if each vehicle’s weight is above the specified limit, especially for heavy machines, extra care is needed to secure it well. Machines with articulated parts, such as backhoes and cranes, should be locked down to prevent movement in transit.

Pipes

Pipes on low-boys provide a spiffy challenge for transport crews. When several pipes are bundled together on the bed, they must be adequately tied down to prevent them from rolling while in transit. The tie-downs must have an aggregate working load limit that is equal to at least half the total weight of all pipes.

Lowboy trailers provide adequate stability for materials during road transit. Proper stowage will add to the stability.

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A Look at the Different Types of Trailers

Shipping is an integral part of the American economy; in 2010, the United States was listed as the biggest importer of goods from around the world. This distinction can be attributed to the existence of freight trucks that deliver the goods from the ports to the stores, making them an important component of life in the United States.

However, trucks cannot simply do the work without the help of trailers. There are also different kinds of cargo that need to be transported, which gave rise to different types of trailers meant to cater to different shipping and transportation needs. Here are some of them:

Flatbeds

Flatbed trailers are one of the most prevalent types of trailers in the open. Their versatility and stability make these trailers a favorite among truckers. These trailers can handle cargo reaching up to 48,000 lbs.

Extendable Flatbeds

These trailers are similar to their flatbed cousins, save for the fact that they can extend themselves to accommodate freight that are usually difficult to transport with an ordinary flatbed. However, extendable flatbeds sacrifice length for strength, as these trailers can only handle a maximum weight of 43,000 lbs.

Double Drops

These trailers help truckers transport oversized cargo through highways. The lower deck will transfer cargo taller than 10’ safely through the city. Three sections of the double drop combine to carry an overall weight of 40,000 lbs.