[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" top_padding="3%" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" shape_type=""][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="3/4" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]
<h1>Specialized Heavy Haul Jobs</h1>
<h2><em>A Truck Driver's Guide</em></h2>
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In specialized heavy haul trucking jobs, truckers pull oversized loads with phenomenal equipment. These trailers take on cargo that pushes beyond the dimensions of the <a href="http://lonestar-llc.biz/flatbed-truck-drivers-terminology/">legal load</a>.

Though the trailers shown below carry permitted loads, some also offer the flexibility to haul very large freight as legal loads. For example, step deck and drop deck trailers provide a few extra feet of clearance to keep some tall loads "legal." Moreover, stretch trailers offer the option turning loads on their sides to avoid permitting.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/4" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][toggles style="default"][toggle color="Accent-Color" title="1. STEP DECKS - OR SINGLE DROP DECKS"][vc_row_inner column_margin="default" text_align="left"][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]The best-known specialized flatbed trailer may be the step deck, which also is called the single drop deck. Step decks are used both for legal loads and heavy haul trucking jobs.

The step deck trailer has two levels. Unlike a standard flatbed, the step deck’s bed drops down after clearing the tractor. The top deck is 60” off the ground, while the lower main deck is about 2’ lower.

Step deck trucking is used for tall loads. In fact, step deck trailers can carry cargo up to 10’ high as legal loads.  For that reason, they commonly haul construction vehicles, machinery and heavy freight.

Because step deck trailers are so low to the ground, forklifts easily load them from ground level. And when equipped with removable goosenecks, vehicular cargo drives right off.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]<img class="alignnone wp-image-4026 size-full" src="http://lonestar-llc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/stepdeck.jpg" alt="flatbed trucking jobs" width="700" height="309" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/toggle][toggle color="Accent-Color" title="2. REMOVABLE GOOSENECKS (RGN) – OR DETACHABLES"][vc_row_inner column_margin="default" text_align="left"][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]Some specialty flatbed trailers have removable necks. When detached and moved away from a trailer’s bed, its front end lowers to the ground, thereby creating a ramp for self-powered cargo (e.g., heavy vehicles and equipment).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4024" src="http://lonestar-llc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/gooseneck.jpg" alt="flatbed trucking jobs" width="700" height="309" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/toggle][toggle color="Accent-Color" title="3. DOUBLE DROPS - OR LOWBOYS"][vc_row_inner column_margin="default" text_align="left"][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]A double drop deck trailer carries the tallest loads. A double drop looks like a step deck or RGN in the front, but a second short deck a sits over its rear tires. Between the two short decks runs a long, very low main deck. Dropping below the trailer’s axles, this center deck is called the “well.”

The double drop trailer’s deep well and low-profile wheels allow it to carry legal loads with cargo up to 11’6” high. Heavy haul trucking jobs use double drops, too. Most use a “flip axle” to handle the weight of large loads. The flip axle attaches to a trailer’s rear frame with hinge plates and pins. Thus, the axle folds down for heavy loads, and then back up onto the rear deck for storage.

RGN double drops carry vehicles that drive on for easy loading. That includes construction equipment, forklifts, trucks and tanks.

Conventional double drop trailers (those without RGNs) more often are loaded by crane.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4022" src="http://lonestar-llc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/double.jpg" alt="flatbed trucking jobs" width="700" height="309" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/toggle][toggle color="Accent-Color" title="4. STRETCH &amp; EXTENDABLE (TELESCOPIC) TRAILERS "][vc_row_inner column_margin="default" text_align="left"][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]A stretch trailer features a sliding mechanism that grows or shrinks the size of the cargo bed, thereby adjusting to the ideal size for the load.

Stretch trailers come in flatbed, step deck, double drop and RGN configurations. You'll find them in lengths of up to 80’ and widths of 96” to 102”.

Generally of steel construction for maximum support, stretch trailers are heavy. So are their loads: lumber, rebar, steel beams, train tracks, <a href="http://lonestar-llc.biz/flatbed-driver-jobs-what-we-haul/">wind turbines</a>. Total weight often limits the size of these loads.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]<img class="alignnone wp-image-4027 size-full" src="http://lonestar-llc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/stretch.jpg" alt="flatbed trucking jobs" width="700" height="309" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/toggle][toggle color="Accent-Color" title="5. OTHER SPECIALIZED TRAILERS "][vc_row_inner column_margin="default" text_align="left"][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]<img class="alignnone wp-image-4356 size-full" src="http://lonestar-llc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/9-axle-tractor-combo-1.jpg" alt="flatbed driver jobs" width="700" height="309" />[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<img class="alignnone wp-image-4257 size-full" src="http://lonestar-llc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Schnabel.jpg" alt="flatbed driver jobs" width="700" height="309" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]<img class="alignnone wp-image-4357 size-full" src="http://lonestar-llc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/13-Axle-Tractor-Trailer-Combination-1.jpg" alt="flatbed driver jobs" width="700" height="309" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/toggle][/toggles][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" shape_type=""][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]
<h2>Heavy Loads</h2>
States began regulating truck weights in the early 20th century. The first laws tried to prevent iron and solid rubber tires from damaging dirt or gravel roads. Current law, on the other hand, protects bridges and pavement from the weight of increasingly large loads.

Federal law limits the gross truck weight of routine permitted loads to 80,000 lbs. Each state has its weight limits, typically 46,000 lbs. for legal loads and 80,000 lbs. with a routine permit. (See “Super Loads” below so as to see when heavy haul trucking jobs call for special permitting instead.)
<h4>Bridge Formulas &amp; Heavy Haul Trucking Jobs</h4>
In some cases, the <a href="https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/permit_report/index.htm" rel="noopener">Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula</a> further reduces the 80,000 lb. limit. (Many states have bridge formulas as well, most notably California). Bridge formulas calculate weight limits based on the number and spacing of truck axles, in order to prevent the concentration of weight in short trucks or on small sections of long trailers.

Federal law also limits total weight carried on any axle to the following:

• Steer axle: 12,000 lbs.
• Single axle: 20,000 lbs.
• Drive axle: 34,000 lbs.
• Tandem axles: 34,000 lbs.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
<p style="text-align: left;">Standard tandem axles are 5’ apart; together, they carry up to 34,000 lbs.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“Split” tandems, also known as "spread axles," are at least 10’ feet apart. Under federal law, each spread axle counts separately when calculating per axle weight limits. Together, spread axles carry up to 40,000 lbs.</p>
Spread axles provide flexibility when distributing weight between axles,. Spread axle trailers also are more stable during loading and unloading.

While spread axles provide a smooth ride that’s less damaging to road surfaces, its wider turning radius is difficult to maneuver. Tires, wheels, suspension parts and pavement all suffer when a driver turns too sharply.

<a name="heavyloader"></a>[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]<img class="wp-image-4029 aligncenter" src="http://lonestar-llc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Screen-Shot-2018-07-24-at-9.36.58-PM.png" alt="Heavy Load Trucking" width="550" height="296" />[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="No Line"][vc_column_text]<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4171" src="http://lonestar-llc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/spread.jpg" alt="flatbed driver jobs" width="700" height="309" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" shape_type=""][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]
<h2 style="text-align: left;">The Ultimate Heavy Haul Trucking Jobs: Super Loads</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;">Some shippers need to move cargo that far exceeds “routine permit limits.” The popular term for such freight is its legal name as well: "super load." Pulling a super load also is called "super heavy hauling," or "super heavy haul trucking."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Without a doubt, driving super loads is the most prestigious of heavy haul trucking jobs.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The definition of a super load varies from state to state. However, a loaded truck that’s over 16’ wide, 16’ tall, 160’ long and/or 200,000 lbs. qualifies in most.</p>

<h4>A Complex Permitting Process</h4>
<p style="text-align: left;">Super loads require special, often customized versions, of flatbed and specialty trailers. They're piloted only by the most skilled and experienced <a href="http://lonestar-llc.biz/top-reasons-to-become-otr-flatbed-truck-drivers/">flatbed</a> or heavy haul drivers. Even in expert hands, they present potential disruptions to traffic as well as risks to motorists and psurroundings. That’s precisely why most states and cities tightly regulate them.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">A <a href="https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/permit_report/index.htm">state or city’s super load permitting process</a> may require any or all of the following:</p>

<ul style="text-align: left;">
 	<li>Engineering survey of the load</li>
 	<li>Route survey to see that overhead signals, lines and bridges don't pose a contact hazard</li>
 	<li>Bridge analysis determining the weight limit and axle configuration</li>
 	<li>Analysis of traffic patterns and emergency vehicle routes</li>
 	<li>Railroad crossing schedules and plan for special ramps to cross tracks</li>
 	<li>Drawing of shipment</li>
 	<li>Shipper’s letter</li>
 	<li>Explanation of why other transportation isn’t available</li>
 	<li>Practice run of the route</li>
 	<li>Assignment of state-vetted escort support</li>
 	<li>Schedule that accommodates day and/or time restrictions in different states. (In some states, super loads travel only during daylight hours on weekdays. In others, they move only at night or on a Sunday. Some jurisdictions prohibit travel during the spring thaw.)</li>
 	<li>Surety bond</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://lonestar-llc.biz/about-lone-star-heavy-haul-drivers/">Lone Star</a> is the recognized leader in planning, permitting and hauling super loads. Our drivers love the challenge of these heavy haul trucking jobs, and they get paid more as they take on ever-larger loads.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If you want to <a href="http://lonestar-llc.biz/">earn more</a> to pull oversized freight, be certain to ask about our <a href="http://lonestar-llc.biz/flatbed-driver-jobs-reasons-to-drive-for-lone-star/">career advancement program</a>.</p>
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