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Pilot Car and Route Surveying Services Provider in Indiana

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Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Services in Indiana

Are you looking to ship an oversized load in Indiana? Wide Load Shipping offers unmatched pilot car services in the Hoosier State. We tailor our services to fit your load and offer complementary services like providing trailers and cranes. Oversized loads require permits and specific insurance policies to move on public roads. Our teams have thoroughly mastered the Indiana oversize regulations and work to ensure your load runs smoothly and is compliant. Pilot cars accompany oversized loads for public safety and to avoid damage to your load.  Our drivers have mastered guiding loads through dense urban metros, which can significantly challenge over-dimensional loads. Indiana has many large cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wyne, Carmel, South Bend, and Bloomington. Indiana is a giant in steel manufacturing, an industry we have served for over a decade. Involve our pilot car services today for a hassle-free experience.

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When are Pilot and Escort Vehicles Required in Indiana?

The Indiana Department of Transportation governs the movement of oversized loads in the state through oversized permits. Permits may call for additional escorts depending on the type of load, route taken, and time of the year. The standard requirements for the use of escort vehicles for oversized loads in the state are;

  • Length: On two lanes, loads over 85′ need one pilot or escort vehicle at the front. On four lanes, loads over 85′ need one escort vehicle in the rear.
  • Width: On two lanes, loads over 12′ 4″ need one pilot car vehicle in the front.  On four lanes, loads over 12′ 4″ need one escort vehicle in the rear.
  • Height: All loads over  14′ 6″ must have a front pilot car with a nonmetallic height pole attached in addition to the other required escorts. On two lanes, loads over 14′ 6″ need one pilot vehicle in the front. On four lanes, loads over 14′ 6″ need one pilot or escort vehicle in the rear.

Indiana Pilot and Escort Vehicle Certifications

Pilot vehicles need to meet specific legal requirements to ensure they can effectively serve their roles. Apart from being in a safe operating condition, pilot cars in Indiana must also meet the following conditions;

  • Pilot and escort vehicles must be at least four-wheeled motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 11,000 lbs.
  • The escort vehicle’s roof should have a flashing amber light, and an “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign must be displayed to be visible to approaching traffic from both the front and the rear.
  • Pilot cars and escort vehicles must remain within 500′ of the load and be in constant radio communication with all parties involved in the transport via a two-way CB radio.
  • Indiana does not have flag requirements for escort vehicles.
  • None stipulated persons cannot act as warning flag operators in Indiana.

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Transport Your Load On The Right Trailer With Us

Double Drop Deck Trailer

Max Dimensions: 29FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 11.5FT Height

Max Weight: 45,000LBS

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Step Deck Trailer

Max Dimensions: 53FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 11.5FT Height

Max Weight: 48,000LBS

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Removable Gooseneck Trailer (RGN)

Max Dimensions: 53FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 11.6FT Height

Max Weight: 150,000LBS

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Flatbed Trailer

Max Dimensions: 53FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 8.5FT Height

Max Weight: 48,000LBS

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Oversize Load Route Surveying Services in Indiana

Route surveys are required to ensure an over-dimensional load can safely traverse a route. Our specialists at Wide Load Shipping also rely on route surveys to determine the paperwork and type of escorts your load requires. Oversized loads are required to leave the road when traffic backs up behind them. To avoid such delays, we plan our transport to avoid rush hour traffic or areas of high traffic density. The law also requires we inform railway authorities if an oversized load is to go through a railway crossing. It is to prevent accidents and unplanned interruption of rail operations. We also engage our customers to determine beforehand if their load meets the weight limits of bridges along the planned routes and find alternatives where they don’t.  Many of the highways in Indiana are large enough for most oversized loads, though due diligence is recommended. Some of the best routes are:

  • Interstate 65 (I-65): A major north-south route connecting Indianapolis to southern Indiana.
  • Interstate 70 (I-70): A vital interstate running east-west of Indiana. 
  • Interstate 80/90 (I-80/I-90): A Toll Road that is a significant route for east-west transport.
  • U.S. Route 31: A north-south highway providing access to several major cities in the state.
  • U.S. Route 40: An east-west highway running through central Indiana.

Wide Load Shipping is the go-to provider for pilot car services in Indiana. Contact us today to ship your oversized load with us.