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Truck Driving Safety Tips for Transporting Extra-Large Loads
Transporting extra-large loads while driving your truck can be high-risk. This danger isn’t only for the load you’re transporting, but it’s also for your vehicle, your health, and the other drivers on the road.
If you’re driving extra-large loads and want to make sure you’re as safe as possible, these are the best tips to keep in mind.
Know The Weather
Look at the weather before you go. Although it would be great to assume that the weather will always be dry and cool, it’s not something you should hope for.
If there’s wetter weather up ahead, consider getting tarps out for uncovered loads or planning on leaving earlier so that you can travel slower or take more breaks. Rain may not be much when driving a short distance, but when long hauling, it can be exhausting and dangerous.
Get To Know the Law
Some states have specific laws in place to stop truckers from putting themselves and others at risk. Although these are helpful for most people’s good, they’re unfortunately different from state to state. It’s a good idea to research the states you’ll be driving through and get to know whether they need you to have tie-offs, ribbons, warning signs, or lights on your extra-large load.
Over time you’ll want to gather items that will fit most of the states you pass through often, but for now, take it state by state.
Plan Out Your Route
Plan your route out thoroughly, and look out for any areas that limit the size of the vehicle. Narrow streets, low overpasses, and one-lane roads can be risky for trucks taking an oversized load.
Planning your route will also allow you to find a layout that works for you and give you time and space to take whatever breaks you need.
Drive Defensively
You can only control what you do on the road. If someone else is being reckless, it’s important to know how to behave so that they don’t put you at risk. Although defensive driving can feel like you have to be hyper-aware of all things, this is useful in avoiding collisions, crashes, and unfortunate accidents.
If a car runs into your vehicle or its load, you’ll be fine, but that other driver may not be. You’re protecting everyone by being careful.
Keep Your Vehicle Maintained
Every part of your vehicle, from the windshield to your hitch, should be well maintained. Look into pintle hitch advantages and make sure you make the best choice for yourself, and seek out help from other truckers who may have experience with pieces of tools that you’re interested in.
Over time you’ll be able to build up a plan that allows you to check all of these pieces as often as possible and make sure they’re maintained and run perfectly. Running with an extra-large load: you should check them every time you’re about to start driving after a break that’s longer than two hours.
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