Truck Services & Equipments

Truckload shipping is the movement of large amounts of homogeneous cargo, generally the amount necessary to fill an entire semi-trailer or intermodal container. A truckload carrier is a trucking company that generally contracts an entire trailer-load to a single customer. This is as opposed to a less-than truckload (LTL) company that generally mixes freight from several customers in each trailer. One advantage Full Truckload carriers have over Less than Truckload carriers is that the freight is never handled en route, whereas an LTL shipment will typically be transported on several different trailers. LTL shipments typically weigh between 151 and 20,000 lb (68 and 9,072 kg). Less than truckload carriers collect freight from various shippers and consolidate that freight onto enclosed trailers forlinehaul to the delivering terminal or to a hub terminal where the freight will be further sorted and consolidated for additional linehauls. In most cases, drivers start the day by loading up and heading out to make deliveries first, then begin making pickups once the trailer has been emptied for return to the terminal for sorting and delivery next day; thus, most pickups are made in the afternoon and most deliveries are performed in the morning. Transit times for LTL freight are longer than for full truckload freight (FTL). LTL transit times are not directly related only to the distance between shipper and consignee. Instead, LTL transit times are dependent upon the makeup of the network of terminals and breakbulks that are operated by a given carrier and that carrier’s beyond agents and interline partners. For example, if a shipment is picked up and delivered by the same freight terminal, or if the freight must be sorted and routed only once while in transit, the freight will likely be delivered on the next business day after pickup. If the freight must be sorted and routed more than once, or if more than one linehaul is required for transportation to the delivering terminal, then the transit time will be longer. In some instances the LTL freight has up to 10 days of delivery time frame. Also, delivery to beyond points or remote areas will almost always add days to the transit time. The main advantage to using an LTL carrier is that a shipment may be transported for a fraction of the cost of hiring an entire truck and trailer for an exclusive shipment. Also, a number of accessory services are available from LTL carriers, which are not typically offered by FTL carriers. These optional services include liftgate service at pickup or delivery, residential (also known as “non-commercial”) service at pickup or delivery, inside delivery, notification prior to delivery, freeze protection, and others. These services are usually billed at a predetermined flat fee or for a weight based surcharge calculated as a rate per pound or per hundredweight.

Flexible, consistent, efficient service

  Nobody knows your challenges like you do. So why do other providers think they can solve all of your problems before they have listened to what you have to say? Tell us your issues. We will listen and then make recommendations based on your requirements—not on what we feel like selling. Whether you need more capacity, are entering new markets, are dealing with production surges or are working to achieve better on time delivery and cost control, we can present the best, most flexible solution and execute against the plan with confidence. Our specialists speak over 25 languages and provide capacity from one of the largest carrier networks in Europe. From the moment you send us your freight order, you can count on unsurpassed communication and robust processes that minimize problems. If problems do arise, our people are empowered to solve them and trained to communicate with you every step of the way. For businesses large and small, managing everything in-house can not only be a hassle, it can be inefficient and unprofitable. That’s why Global Logistics offers 3PL Logistics (Third Party Logistics) services. As a 3PL Logistics provider, we consider ourselves an extension of your operations team, providing flexible and comprehensive solutions as well as quality, continuous support. One of the greatest advantages of outsourcing your logistics operations to a 3PL provider is the time it allows you and your staff to focus on more important matters. With continuous access to our own customer support team as well as our shipment tracking system, you can operate with the peace of mind that your deliveries are arriving safely and on-time. No matter how large your company or shipment is, how far your load’s destination is or how soon your shipment needs to arrive, Global Logistics has the solutions to accommodate you. To maintain optimal efficiency, we match your load with the appropriate carrier. Heavy Haul Trucking of Over-dimensional and Overweight shipments, known as Heavy Haul shipments or Heavy Haul Trucking pose special challenges for shippers. Often times a shipment is both over-dimensional as well as overweight in nature and therefore may require special routing in order to travel only on the highways that permit vehicle weights that can accommodate them in the Continental United States, Canada, and Mexico. Heavy Haul Trucking frequently requires special trucks and trailers that can carry the size of what you’re shipping. They may also require the purchase of special permits issued by the various governmental agencies, States, and municipalities through which your shipment will travel. When a flatbed trailer is insufficient due to the shipment being too tall, wide or heavy, a heavy haul trucking method is your only option. Heavy haul trucking, also commonly called: superload, oversize, overweight or over dimensional, is explained below. In the U.S. a superload is a truck tractor with an attached trailer that has an over dimensional or overweight object (the load) on it that exceeds the ordinary permit limits commonly associated with oversize or overweight loads. Both the size and weight of a superload are regulated by the State the load is moving in and is different depending on which State it is. An oversize load (including tractor and trailer) may exceed the standard legal dimensions of 13’6″ in height and 8’6″ in width (the length varies by State). The load must be non-reducible (cannot be reduced to legal dimensions). An overweight load must consist of a single unit to be shipped that will exceed the total legal gross weight of 80,000 lbs for the truck, trailer and unit shipped.

Heavy Haul Equipment

  Equipment that may be required for heavy haul:

• Double Drops
• Extendable Trailers
• Removable Goosenecks (RGN)
• Stretch Trailers
• Trailers may be 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13 and 20 axle

Legal Requirements for Oversize, Overweight and Superloads: Knowing how to deal with the legal considerations, permits and the technical challenges of pulling a heavy haul load is crucial to having a successful oversized load shipment. States require that certain oversize loads have certified Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators (P/EVO) to protect the motoring public and the oversize load. The purpose of a P/EVO is to safely escort a superload from its beginning location to its final destination without damaging the load, motorists, highways, roads, bridges, control devices, signs, wires, overhanging objects or property. Great Western Transportation will manage the transportation of your superload shipment from start to finish, including obtaining special permits for each state – and county permits as needed, pilot cars or other escort vehicles and any additional equipment required to move your heavy haul load in a safe manner. Great Western Transportation will arrange the logistics for even the most challenging shipments your company may need delivered in a safe, timely and cost competitive manner. Flatbed Trucking serves the needs of customers transporting special equipment or material that create loads which are wide, over length, over-sized, overweight, or any combination thereof but can still legally move on the road. A Flatbed Trucking service is ideal for construction sites or shipping points that have no available dock or require quick loading and unloading for projects on the move with time sensitive schedules. At Great Western Transportation we specialize in Flatbed Trucking and make sure that your shipment has the right sized tarps and the proper tie downs for the job so that it will be protected and ready for use at its destination. With Flatbed Trucking there is a variety of trailer types that are designed to fit the many needs required by different shipments either based on size or how they need to be loaded. In addition, we can supply team service for any of your shipments that need to deliver as soon as possible for projects with minimal slack available in their schedule. Great Western Transportation supplies Flatbed Trucking service through out the Continental United States, Canada and Mexico on both a Less-than-Truckload (LTL) and Full Truckload (FTL) basis. Flatbed Trucking specifications and configurations are standard in the industry as illustrated in the diagram below. Consult your Great Western Transportation representative to find out which trailer is right for your shipment.

Dry Freight Trucking

  At Great Western we have a team who will advise and recommend precisely which type of truck and / or trailer equipment that is best for your particular shipment. Trailer specifications and configurations are standard in the industry with vans measuring either 48’ L x 96”/102” W or 53‘ L x 102” W. It is important to know the interior dimensions of a trailer to ensure that your shipment will fit properly. The following dry van illustrations will help you understand a few of the fundamentals. Great Western can handle your dry freight shipments either on a Full Truckload (FTL) or Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) basis. Businesses with dry freight to ship will often unknowingly contact truckload carriers and pay a Truckload price even though their particular shipment in question may not fill up an entire trailer. With LTL pricing your partial truckload shipment can be priced well below Truckload pricing by sharing the cost with other partial shipments. For example, Great Western may have a partial truckload going from San Francisco to Atlanta, and you may have a shipment that needs to be transported from San Francisco to Memphis. By filling a 53′ Dry Van with both shipments, you can save a great deal of money because you won’t be paying a truckload price. Shipping over dimensional freight pose special challenges. Over sized shipments require specific knowledge of government regulations and the needed trucks and trailers to accommodate the freight that you are moving. Road King Freight Logistics has over 23 years of experience when it comes to over dimensional freight. Our superior knowledge of all of the DOT legal heights and widths on our Canadian and U.S highways is invaluable. Over dimensional freight needs permits and special routing through cities and frequently have to be escorted by pilot cars. The trucks can only travel certain hours of the day for safety reasons. Moving over dimensional freight can be very challenging; Road King can provide you with a complete cost right from your doorstep to your destination.