Wide Load Shipping is a licensed and qualified escort car company in the United States. No matter the state and city where your oversized load is located, we will have a team to relocate it safely. What are escort or pilot cars, you may ask? Pilot cars are vehicles used to accompany loads that exceed legal limits in the states they’re transported from, to, or through. Escort cars are essential to ensure an oversized load is moved through public highways smoothly while protecting buildings, bridges, and other motorists. They help guide drivers on the best routes to use and keep people and motorists at a safe distance. Some oversized loads are so large that the drivers can’t see what’s behind them or on the sides. Pilot cars help them take turns and use the best routes to avoid getting stuck and inconveniencing you and others. Contact our company today to learn more about our state escort car services.
Every state has laws and regulations about when pilot cars are needed when transporting oversize loads. Most states require loads that exceed 13 feet wide and are over 90 feet in length and a height surpassing 14 feet to have escort cars. Logistics agents at Wide Load Shipping are aware of each state’s laws on pilot car requirements and will ensure your oversized load travels safely while complying with various regulations. In addition, our pilot car driver will ensure your load’s safety. What’s interesting about pilot car requirements is that a load could be considered oversized in one state and not in another. Therefore, you need to work with a professional escort car company that will ensure the guidelines of each state are followed. An oversized load could require a single pilot car in one state and more than one in another state, which means you could pass through one state stress-free and get fined in another if you’re unfamiliar with the different state pilot car requirements.
Pilot and escort cars range from vans, sedans, SUVs, or pick-up trucks. They are equipped with additional equipment like flags, warning lights, signs, and CB radios for easier communication with the oversized equipment driver. Each state has different rules on what a pilot car should have. Pilot or escort car requirements depend on the dimensions exceeded. For example, a load exceeding certain length dimensions could need more than one pilot car (one on the rear and another on the front) while one exceeding the legal width limit could need a single front escort vehicle. Before the transit of oversized equipment, some shipments need a pilot car to survey the route for potential issues. You might need to pay an extra fee to the Permittee if they need to remove electric cables and other obstructions for the safe travel of your load. Pilot and escort cars are also authorized to stop traffic and direct the movement of oversized equipment through busy traffic areas that may cause danger to pedestrians and fellow motorists.
All states have different pilot car and escort vehicle requirements. The best way to know what a pilot car needs to have is by visiting the requirements of that state below. We offer pilot car and escort vehicle services within all the following states. Get in touch with our team for further information.
Max Dimensions: 29FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 11.5FT Height
Max Weight: 45,000LBS
Max Dimensions: 53FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 11.5FT Height
Max Weight: 48,000LBS
Max Dimensions: 53FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 11.6FT Height
Max Weight: 150,000LBS
Max Dimensions: 53FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 8.5FT Height
Max Weight: 48,000LBS
At Wide Load Shipping, we have drivers specializing in driving pilot cars. In addition, we provide front and rear escort cars where necessary to ensure your oversized load is transported on the correct route as state permits stipulate. Wide Load Shipping is a premier pilot car service provider with the resources and expertise to ensure your oversized or overweight load is delivered on time and safely. Among the trailers used for transporting oversized loads include lowboys, RGNs and multiple axle trailers. As mentioned earlier, these trailers have more blind spots than traditional ones. Therefore, they require more distance and time to change lanes and stop and pass other vehicles. In addition, these vehicles may experience difficulty when accelerating when merging with traffic. For these reasons, pilot cars alert the truck driver of upcoming traffic, road hazards, or turns to avoid any issues on the road. Book our state pilot car and escort vehicle services today and get to experience professionalism and efficiency.
