Specialized freight

Oversize and heavy haul freight brokerage

Freight beyond standard legal dimensions or weights, coordinated with qualified carriers and applicable specialized services.

Get a Specialized Quote Call (872) 710-5305

Red heavy-haul truck with an oversize load banner transporting an excavator

Overview

How oversize & heavy haul freight brokerage works

When freight is wider, taller, longer or heavier than legal limits allow, moving it becomes a planning exercise as much as a transportation one. Oversize and overweight loads typically require state permits, specific routing and, depending on size, escort vehicles or travel-time restrictions. Customer First Brokerage coordinates these shipments by working with qualified transportation providers and applicable specialized services, so the requirements are identified and addressed before the freight moves.

What makes a load oversize or overweight

Federal and state rules set the limits a truck can operate within without special permission. The most commonly referenced figures are a maximum width of 8 feet 6 inches and a gross vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds on the Interstate system. Legal height is set by each state and is commonly 13 feet 6 inches to 14 feet 6 inches. Length limits also vary by state and trailer type.

Freight that pushes a truck beyond any of these limits is considered oversize or overweight. Loads that are especially large or heavy may be classified by a state as a superload, which typically involves additional review and requirements.

Semi-truck transporting an oversize spherical tank on a multi-lane highway

How specialized shipments are coordinated

Each state along the route sets its own permit requirements, travel restrictions and escort rules. Planning an oversize move means matching the load with the right trailer, identifying a route that can accommodate it and making sure the permits, escorts and any other required services are arranged by the appropriate parties before the truck rolls.

Customer First Brokerage is a freight broker, not a motor carrier or permit service. Our role is to coordinate the transportation requirements with qualified carriers and applicable specialized service providers and to keep you informed as the plan comes together.

Equipment selection: RGN, step deck, extendable or multi-axle trailers
State-by-state permit requirements along the route
Escort or pilot vehicle requirements where applicable
Travel-time restrictions such as daylight-only or weekend limits
Route clearances for height, weight and turning

Semi-truck hauling an oversized yellow mining vehicle on a multi-axle trailer

Heavy haul and specialized freight

Heavy haul generally refers to freight that is heavy enough to require trailers with additional axles or specialized configurations to spread weight within legal or permitted limits. These moves call for accurate weights and dimensions from the start, because they determine the trailer, the permits and the route.

Heavy-haul tractor with a wheel loader on a lowboy trailer at a job site

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What to include in your quote request

The more accurate these details are, the more accurate your oversize & heavy haul quote will be.

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01Exact dimensions (L × W × H) and weight
02Photos or drawings of the freight, if available
03Pickup and delivery addresses and site access
04Loading and unloading method
05Required delivery window
06Any site-specific requirements

FAQ

Oversize & Heavy Haul questions

When is a load considered oversize?

A load is generally considered oversize when it exceeds 8 feet 6 inches wide, the state's legal height limit — commonly between 13 feet 6 inches and 14 feet 6 inches — or the state's legal length limit. A load is overweight when it exceeds legal axle or gross weight limits, commonly 80,000 pounds gross on the Interstate system.

Who obtains the permits for an oversize load?

Oversize and overweight permits are issued by each state's transportation agency and are typically obtained by the motor carrier or a permit service on the carrier's behalf. Customer First Brokerage does not issue permits. We coordinate the permit requirements with the carrier as part of planning the shipment.

What is a superload?

A superload is a load so large or heavy that a state classifies it separately from routine oversize permits. The thresholds are set by each state. Superloads often involve additional engineering review, route surveys and longer lead times.

Do oversize loads need escort vehicles?

Sometimes. Each state sets its own rules for when escort or pilot vehicles are required, usually based on the load's width, height, length and the type of road. Escort requirements are identified during planning and arranged by the appropriate parties.

How much lead time does an oversize shipment need?

It depends on the size of the load and the states involved. Routine oversize permits can often be obtained quickly, while superloads can take considerably longer. The earlier we know about the shipment and its exact dimensions, the more options there are to plan it well.

Keep exploring

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Request a specialized freight quote

Tell us about the shipment and we’ll follow up to confirm the details and the equipment.

Request a Quote Call (872) 710-5305

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