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Pilot Car and Route Surveying Services in Missouri

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Pilot Car Services in Missouri

Are you moving an oversized load within Missouri or to the neighboring states? At Wide Load Shipping, we deliver your load securely and on time. We offer affordable and transparent pilot car services in all 50 states. The regulations on oversized loads are complex and varied, ranging from permits, signage, and lighting requirements to weight and speed limits. Our excellent legal department complies with the many regulations your load must adhere to. In Missouri, oversized permits are valid for seven days and are required before entering the state. Pilot cars help reduce time on the road by clearing the road ahead and also scouting the road ahead for obstacles to prevent accidents or damage to your load. Missouri has several industries that regularly deal with over-dimensional loads and utilize our services. We provide all hauling solutions, including trailers for your oversize load transport. Speak to our specialists today for a free consultation. 

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When Are Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Required in Missouri?

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

  • Length: Loads with 90 feet overall length require one rear/ chase pilot car or escort vehicle if the highway is not divided.
  • Width: Loads 12 feet and under require no escort vehicles. Loads over 12 feet and 4 inches require one rear/chase escort vehicle. One escort vehicle and one pilot car are required on non-designated roads.
  • Height: Load heights of 15 feet 6 inches on 2-lane undivided roads require a high-pole pilot car. Load heights of 15 feet on divided highways require one pilot car with a height pole. A route survey and bucket trucks may also be needed.
  • Overhang: Anytime the load length exceeds 53 feet, one pilot car is required.

NOTES: If the shipment consists of 2 dimensions over the legal limits, one pilot car and one escort vehicle are required.

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements and Certifications in Missouri

For a pilot car or escort vehicle to operate in Missouri, a vehicle is required to satisfy the following: 

  • Missouri state laws say pilot car/escort vehicles must be a standard size and have unrestricted vision in the front and rear with the vehicle in a safe operating condition.
  • “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs must be displayed towards the front or rear, depending on whether the vehicle is a lead or chase escort. The signs must be visible only when in service. They must be a minimum of 5 feet long and 1 foot high. The signs must have a yellow background and at least 1-inch thick black clear, professional-print-quality lettering. 
  • All escort vehicles must have safety fluorescent flags colored red or orange mounted on both sides of the front of lead pilot vehicles or rear sides of chase escort vehicles.
  • All vehicles involved in shipment must have 2-way CB radio capabilities.
  • The insurance requirements are a minimum of $50,000 for personal injury per person, $200,000 for accident/property damage, and a combined single-limit liability of $250,000. 

NOTE: Flaggers or any person directing or altering traffic must have a “flaggers certification” and be flagger certified.

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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 Missouri

Route surveying involves driving the entirety of a proposed route to check its viability for a specific oversized load. Several factors can influence a route’s suitability: its width, height clearances, presence of tunnels, weight limits, traffic density, and travel restrictions. Wide Load Shipping is committed to meeting our client’s deadlines, which makes route planning critical. Oversized loads are prohibited from holding up normal traffic flow without special permission and must leave the road when traffic builds up behind them. Some areas also have speed limits for specific heavy hauls, which can add significant time to the journey. We mitigate this by having our route surveys as thorough as possible. The following are some of the routes to consider when moving oversized loads in Missouri:

  • US-63: A north-south highway running through central Missouri.
  • US-61: Known for connecting to the Great River Road.
  • I-70: An east-west route connecting significant cities like St. Louis and Kansas City.
  • I-44: Runs from the southwest to the northeast of the state.
  • I-55: A north-south route providing access to the state’s southeastern part.

Call us through our toll-free number or fill out a quote form for more information on Missouri’s pilot car and route surveying services.
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