The Best Ways to Transport Equipment

Many construction companies choose to rent construction equipment from equipment rental companies because this often proves to be a better financial choice for these companies. If you represent one of these construction companies, this means that you don’t own your own equipment and you may need to have your rented equipment shipped to your location or from your location. Because construction equipment is so large and heavy, shipping it can seem a daunting task, but don’t worry. There are many options for shipping and transporting equipment. Here is a list of some of the best ways to transport your equipment and some tips on how to do it.

Flatbed Trailer

Flatbed trailers are probably the most common way for big items to be shipped. They are used all over the country and can therefore almost always be found at your location. Most flatbed trailers are able to carry several dozen tons, but you’ll want to check how much your equipment weighs and how much weight the flatbed in question can take before confirming anything. Flatbeds come in several different sizes, and they make loading and unloading equipment very easy. Because of its versatility, a flatbed trailer can transport most equipment.

Double-Check the Security of the Equipment

Double-checking the security of the equipment may seem like common sense, but it can’t be emphasized enough. The last thing you want while shipping a large piece of equipment is for it to come loose during the transport. It could fall off and easily hurt someone very badly or get very damaged. Either of these outcomes would result in major problems for a company but can easily be avoided by securing the load as tightly as possible. You’ll also want to consider the traffic and weather conditions of the route as you prepare for your equipment to be secured and moved. Some types of weather and traffic require that you secure the equipment even tighter than you normally would.

Towing

For transporting equipment a short distance, you may be able to have it towed. You’ll want to make sure the vehicle you plan on using to tow is up to the task and that it has all the necessary accessories to do so. For example, you may need to have the tires on the towing vehicle checked to make sure they’re ready for the extra weight of your equipment. You can also look into using a towing company, as it will have numerous options for different types of tow trucks that can handle all sizes of equipment.

Take Your Equipment Apart

Don’t forget that you don’t have to ship your equipment all in one piece! In fact, some equipment has to be disassembled in order to be transported. You can take it apart for easier shipping and strap it all down onto a flatbed trailer separately. It can then be reassembled upon arrival. This makes shipping oddly-shaped equipment less of a hassle because it can usually be transported on a normal flatbed trailer instead of a specialized trailer or towing truck to ship your equipment.

Specialized Trailers

If you have any oversized or overly heavy equipment, you may have to look into renting a specialized trailer to get it where it needs to be. A normal flatbed trailer may not work with what you’re trying to transport, so it’s possible that you would need a step deck or a double drop trailer — both of these are types of flatbed trailers that have different levels built into them so that you can easily fit any type of equipment onto the bed of the trailer.

Be Aware of Any Legal Restrictions

Some states and regions have guidelines and rules as to how much weight can be transported at a time or regarding the type of vehicles that can be used for transportation. You’ll want to be aware of any of these legal restrictions that may be in place along the route so that you don’t run the risk of getting a citation. If you have any questions about any potential guidelines or restrictions that may be legally enforced in a certain area, you can contact the local governing authorities for help.

Shipping and transporting heavy equipment may seem like an impossible task, but it’s possible. These transportation tips and methods can help you with shipping all your large equipment to wherever it needs to go in the most convenient ways possible. Always remember that there are plenty of options!