Educational Guide
A heavy haul shipment is planned by working through cargo facts, trailer configuration, permits and route in sequence, not by starting with a truck. Begin with verified weight and dimensions, then determine whether the load exceeds legal limits, select a trailer that matches loading method and clearance needs, and confirm permits, escorts and route restrictions for every state on the trip. This guide summarizes that sequence and links to the detailed hubs — permits, trailers, routes and cost planning — for the reference data behind each step.
Authoritative reference
This page is a planning guide. Detailed, authoritative reference data lives on the Resources Hub hub.
Key facts
Decision guide
| If you need to know… | Start here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Which permits my load needs | Permit requirements guide (/resources/permit-requirements) | Walks through the measurement checklist before pointing to state-specific permit data |
| Which trailer fits my cargo | Trailer types guide (/resources/trailer-types) | Matches cargo specs and loading method to a trailer category |
| Route feasibility for a specific corridor | Routes (/routes) | Route pages cover corridor-specific clearance and planning notes |
| A cost estimate | Cost calculator (/cost-calculator) | Combines dimensions, distance and equipment into a planning estimate |
| Real-world examples of completed shipments | Case studies (/case-studies) | Case studies show how planning decisions played out on actual shipments |
Worked examples
A construction company relocating an excavator between two states first confirms weight and dimensions, selects an RGN trailer for drive-on loading, then checks permit and escort requirements for each state on the route before scheduling.
A fabricated tank moving from a manufacturing plant to a jobsite across three states requires permits in each state, a lower-deck trailer to manage height, and route review for bridges and clearances along the entire corridor.
Quote intake
Related resources
Questions answered
The first step is recording verified cargo weight and dimensions, since every later decision — legality, trailer, permits, route — depends on accurate measurements.
Timelines vary by shipment. Routine oversize permits can often be arranged in a few business days, while superloads requiring route surveys and agency review can take longer.
Oversize refers to exceeding legal width, height or length limits. Overweight refers to exceeding legal gross or axle-weight limits. A shipment can be one, both, or neither.
Generally yes, if the load exceeds legal limits in that state. Permit requirements are set per state and must be confirmed for each jurisdiction on the route.
Trailer choice depends on cargo weight, dimensions, loading method and route clearances. See the trailer types guide for a step-by-step approach.
A coordinator typically needs cargo details, verified dimensions and weight, pickup/delivery addresses, loading method, and requested timing to prepare a written quote.
Reviewed July 2026. This guide provides a general educational overview only. Permit thresholds, escort rules, trailer capacities and cost figures vary by jurisdiction and shipment and must be verified individually before a shipment is booked.
Talk to a live dispatcher now or request a detailed transport plan.
