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Pilot Car and Route Surveying Services in Minnesota

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Services in Minnesota

When shipping oversized loads, it is best to acquire expert guidance to avoid ending up on the wrong side of the law. Wide Load Shipping has been the industry leader in pilot car services for a long time. Our services come with a safety-first motto and real-time monitoring to keep our customers at ease. We also provide our clients with hauling vehicles, cranes, trailers, and containers of all types. We handle all involved paperwork like insurance, permits, and acquisition of representatives or consent letters from utility companies. Insurance covers for oversized loads are essential to protect the public and your load in the case of accidents. Our drivers are trained for urban, rural, and residential routes, often narrow, windy, and challenging for heavy hauls. We pick up and deliver loads to even the most remote locations in the state. Some types of loads we ship include prefabricated homes, large excavators and shovels, bridge spans, and manufacturing equipment. Book our services today for a free estimate.

When Are Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Required in Minnesota?

Heavy-haul or oversized loads may require to be accompanied by an escort vehicle or pilot car if:

Length: Loads 95 feet to 110 feet long require one pilot car or escort vehicle on the rear. Loads over 110 feet long require one front escort and one chase pilot car.
Width: Loads over 12 feet and 6 inches on most, but not all state roads require one escort vehicle. Loads 14 feet and 6 inches to 16 feet require one front pilot car and one rear escort on non-divided highways but only one rear escort vehicle on divided highways. Loads over 16 feet wide require one lead pilot car and a police escort on the rear. On less than four-lane roads, one front pilot car is required, and on 4 lanes, one rear escort is required. Loads 18 feet or wider require a police escort plus civilian escorts.
Height: Depending on the route, if your load is over 14 feet and 6 inches in height, you may be required to have a high pole.

NOTE: Permits will state if they are valid for 3 or 5 days.

Minnesota Pilot Car Certifications

Every state has rules governing pilot cars to ensure they serve their escort duties safely and efficiently. In Minnesota, these rules are:

Pilot or escort vehicles can be pickup trucks, SUVs, vans, or passenger vehicles that are in safe operating condition. They should be equipped to standard and can not tow any type of trailer or other vehicle while in operation.
The driver must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and have valid certifications from the Minnesota Department of Transportation or an approved state, which includes Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington.
All pilot cars and escort vehicles must display a clean and legible “WIDE LOAD” or “LONG LOAD” sign on the roof, visible to traffic from both the front and rear.
They should have flashing or rotating strobe amber lights installed at the center of the vehicle’s roof and should not be obstructed by any signs. Multiple lights may be placed on the far right and left-hand sides on top of the vehicle, given they are not obstructed by anything.
A lead vehicle should maintain at least 300 feet from the shipment but no more than 700 feet. Rear escort vehicles should follow the shipment at a close, safe distance.

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With our dedicated agents, you can trust that you’ll have the right trailer every time, ensuring your shipment arrives on time and intact.

Double Drop Deck Trailer

Max dimensions:

29FT Length | 8.5FT Width |11.5FT Height

Max Weight:

45,000LBS

Step Deck Trailer

Max Dimensions:

53FT Length | ° 8.5FT Width | 11.5FT Height

Max Weight:

48,000LBS

Removable Gooseneck Trailer

Max Dimensions:

29FT Length | 8.5FT Width |11.5FT Height

Max Weight:

45,000LBS

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Oversize Load Route Surveying Services in Minnesota

Wide Load Shipping logistics specialists rely on detailed route surveys to plan routes. We understand the time sensitivity involved in heavy haul transports and strive to develop the most efficient routes for our clients. We consider predicted weather conditions, travel restrictions, planned road closures, and permit wait times to achieve this. Route surveys are mandated to be performed in pilot cars, specially marked for the process, and the results should accompany the permit application for some types of loads. During the process, we note key route aspects like narrow points, low-hanging power lines, signs, height clearances of tunnels and bridges, turnpikes, and railway crossings.

Some of the routes well suited for oversized loads in the state are;

I-35: Runs north-south, granting access between big cities like Minneapolis and Duluth.
I-94: Runs from the eastern to the western parts of the state, linking Minneapolis, St. Paul, and beyond.
I-90: Runs along the southern border and is helpful for east-west oversized transits.
US-10: Runs through central Minnesota.
US-169: Runs north-south of the state

Book our pilot car services in Minnesota to ease the stress of your next oversized shipment. Contact us today for a free price estimate.

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Pilot Car and Route Surveying Services in Minnesota

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When Are Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Required in Minnesota?

Minnesota Pilot Car Certifications

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