Heavy Equipment Shipping

Trailer Options for Heavy Equipment Shipping

Here are several types of trailers commonly used for heavy equipment shipping:

Flatbed Trailer: Flatbed trailers are the most commonly used type for shipping heavy equipment. Their flat and open platform lacks any sides or roof, making it convenient for loading and unloading heavy machinery effortlessly.

Step Deck Trailer: Step deck trailers, also called drop deck trailers, consist of both a lower deck and an upper deck. The lower deck is situated closer to the ground, allowing taller equipment to be transported without surpassing height restrictions.

Lowboy Trailer: Lowboy trailers are specifically designed to transport tall and heavy equipment. These vehicles' low profile and drop-in deck height enable the safe loading and transportation of taller equipment.

Extendable Flatbed Trailer: These trailers can be extended to accommodate longer equipment. They are well-suited for transporting large and elongated machinery.

Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Trailer: RGN trailers have a detachable front end called a gooseneck. This gooseneck can be easily removed, creating a ramp that facilitates the loading and unloading heavy equipment. They are ideal for transporting large and heavy machinery.

Multi-Axle Trailer: Multi-axle trailers are equipped with extra axles to distribute the weight of heavy equipment evenly. They are utilized to transport weighty loads while ensuring adherence to weight restrictions.

Shipping Overseas

Regarding the transport of heavy equipment overseas, several options are available to you. The Roll-on/Roll-off (RO-RO) method is the most commonly used for shipping heavy equipment. The equipment is loaded and unloaded from the transport vessel using ramps. Another option to consider is a flat rack container.

A flat rack is comparable to a flatbed truck. The heavy equipment is placed onto the flat rack and loaded onto the transport vessel. These racks have a weight capacity of up to 88,000 pounds, allowing them to hold heavy equipment securely.

In some instances, it might be required to disassemble your equipment before shipping it internationally and then reassemble it upon its arrival. When shipping your equipment overseas, you must arrange transportation to the warehouse or port from where your equipment will be shipped.

Heavy Machinery Shipping Preparation

If you have chosen a heavy equipment shipping company for your heavy equipment and are satisfied with their services, it is essential to follow a few steps to ensure that you are well-prepared for the pickup process:

Documents

Firstly, it is essential to ensure that all permits and documents are correctly organized before picking them up. It is advisable to verify the necessary licenses with the heavy equipment transport company and ensure they are in order.

Check for Damage and Take Pictures

Before picking up your heavy equipment, it is advisable to inspect its condition and running order thoroughly. This will help you identify any damages and ensure you are fully aware. It is highly recommended to take high-quality, time-stamped photos. This will provide solid evidence of the condition beforehand in case any disputes arise.

Cover Important Elements

It is essential to read the manual for your equipment and follow any guidelines provided, such as turning off electrical components before transporting.

To ensure the highest level of safety for your equipment, it is recommended to wrap any vulnerable parts with bubble wrap or a similar protective material.

What to do After Transporting of Heavy Equipment?

Inspecting your heavy equipment's condition before you arrive is essential. You should check each component to ensure it works and contrast the States with the images taken before pickup. Any problems should be brought up right away with your preferred shipping firm.

Finally, please provide your shipping firm's comments and a review. This helps them monitor their progress and gives potential Rapid Auto Shipping consumers the confidence to browse with confidence knowing the dependable and trustworthy businesses.

Guaranteed Delivery of Heavy Equipment

At Rapid Auto Shipping, our primary focus is on delivering quality service, ensuring the safety of our client's vehicles, and consistently fulfilling our promises. We take great care in transporting your heavy machinery on our trucks and ensure timely delivery.

Our logistics agent will be available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have from the time of dispatch until the delivery is completed.

We are committed to working diligently around the clock to ensure your heavy equipment is promptly shipped to your desired location. We are ready to transport your oversize load now! +1 (833) 233-4447

Experience Professional Heavy Equipment Transport Services

Rapid Auto Shipping specializes in freight logistics for transporting of heavy equipment and machinery. Our logistics team has undergone extensive training in handling all equipment and machinery hauling aspects.

This ensures they are well-equipped to provide you with the best possible custom shipping experience, tailored specifically to your needs.

Rapid Auto Shipping is committed to safely providing heavy equipment, regardless of location or time. Contact heavy equipment shippers today to receive top-quality transport services at competitive prices.

What is the Heavy Equipment Shipping Quote?

Estimating the heavy equipment shipping quote can be challenging due to various factors. However, as a general guideline, shorter distance journeys typically cost around $5 per mile, while longer haul shipments average about $1.75 per mile.

Several essential factors can affect the costs of standard heavy shipping throughout the year.

Density of Freight

The density of a freight load significantly impacts shipping costs in general. Contrary to intuition, shipping costs decrease as your freight density increases. This is because denser freight occupies less space on the contracted truck or transportation vessel.

Shipping Route

Your chosen shipping route will influence the shipping costs, which naturally affects efficiency. More efficient shipping routes may have higher prices due to their increased demand.

However, in certain situations, opting for more indirect shipping routes may result in higher expenses due to fuel and other associated costs.

Shipment Priority

The cost of your shipment increases as its priority level rises, necessitating carriers and transportation companies to prioritize it over other loads. If you require an emergency shipment as soon as possible, it is essential to note that expedited heavy equipment shipping will come at a higher cost.

Insurance Costs

Finally, if you require comprehensive insurance coverage for a shipment of heavy equipment, the cost of the entire journey will likely be higher. Considering the potential value of heavy equipment, having insurance policies in place would be prudent.

What is the Most Cost-Effective Method for Heavy Equipment Shipping?

We offer a wide range of shipping options for your unit. However, open-air shipping is generally the most cost-effective option.

This method will load your equipment onto a step deck trailer and remain uncovered during transportation. Two cost effective equipment loading options are a flat rack or the roll-on/roll-off method.

When is Container Shipping Used for Heavy Equipment Shipping?

Container shipping is widely regarded as the safest method of transportation. It provides excellent protection against weather conditions and is highly suitable for long-distance travel. However, it is also one of the shipping company's most expensive options.

Certain types of machinery are too large to fit inside a shipping container. If your shipment falls into this category, you must explore alternative options and search for local heavy equipment shippers.

What Does a Shipment Overload Mean When Transporting Large Equipment?

Overloading is when your shipment's Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) exceeds the vehicle's capacity. Overloading a load can cause damage to both the equipment being transported and the car responsible for hauling it.

The shipping company could face fines for exceeding the maximum weight limit of shipments. You may often be responsible for covering these additional fees when shipping heavy machinery.

The commercial shipping industry is highly regulated in the nation. Your carrier must pass through multiple weigh stations during transit to make it manageable. Providing the carrier with accurate information is crucial when scheduling your heavy equipment transportation.

How Long Does It Typically Take to Transport Heavy Equipment?

The distance that heavy equipment needs to travel is crucial in determining the time it takes to reach the destination port. In addition to that, the delivery time is also influenced by:

The mode of transportation -

Transporting goods from the dock to the truck and then back to another port typically takes more time when it comes to Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipments. Additionally, transportation by train is more time-consuming compared to transport by truck.

Oversized loads –

We need to adhere to the regulations set by various jurisdictions. Special permits are required for specific oversized loads. In certain states, it may be necessary to provide an escort car to assist the truck in navigating through those states. This has the potential to cause a slight delay.

Special regulations –

Certain states prohibit the transportation of wide or oversized loads during nighttime hours or on weekends.

Electronic logging devices (ELD) – 

According to the law, drivers must monitor their hours of service using an Electronic Logging Device (ELD). After reaching a designated maximum number of hours driving, individuals must take a specific duration of rest before resuming their journey on the highways. The purpose of this is to guarantee the secure transportation of goods.