Don't Get Caught Unprepared: Essential Equipment for Winter Driving
Welcome to Vulcan Towing's Guide to Roadside Safety Equipment for Winter Emergencies! As a towing company based in Anchorage, Alaska, we know firsthand how important it is to be prepared for anything the winter weather can throw your way. In this article, we'll go over the essential equipment you should have in your car for roadside emergencies in the cold winter state of Alaska.
First and foremost, it's essential to have a winter emergency kit in your car. This kit should include a blanket, warm clothing, food, and water, a first aid kit, and a flashlight. But in addition to these basic supplies, a few pieces of roadside safety equipment can be especially helpful in the winter.
The first item on our list is a good-quality ice scraper. If you live in Alaska, you know just how important this little tool can be. Not only can it clear your windshield and windows of ice and snow, but it can also help you clear a path around your tires if you get stuck in the snow.
Another essential item for winter driving is a set of tire chains. Tire chains can provide much-needed traction in snowy or icy conditions and help you get moving if you're stuck. Practice installing your tire chains before you hit the road, so you can do it quickly and easily if needed.
A portable jump starter is also an excellent item to have in your winter emergency kit. Cold weather can be tough on car batteries, and a jump starter can help you get your car running again if your battery dies. Look for a jump starter that is small enough to fit in your glove box but powerful enough to jump-start your vehicle.
In addition to these items, we recommend having a small bag of sand or kitty litter in your car. If you get stuck in the snow, you can spread the sand or kitty litter around your tires for added traction. A small shovel can also help clear snow away from your tires.
Finally, having a set of reflective triangles or flares in your car is a good idea. If you're stuck on the side of the road, these items can help alert other drivers to your presence and keep you safe.
Of course, the best way to stay safe on the road in the winter is to avoid getting stuck in the first place. Ensure your car is in good working condition, with plenty of gas, oil, and antifreeze. Check the weather forecast before you leave, and avoid driving in snowy or icy conditions if possible.
If you do find yourself stuck in the snow and unable to get out, don't panic. Stay in your car and call for help. Vulcan Towing is always here to lend a hand. The key to staying safe on the road in the winter is to be prepared. Make sure you have a winter emergency kit in your car at all times, and consider adding some of the items on this list to your gear. And if you do find yourself stuck in the snow, remember that Vulcan Towing is just a phone call away. Stay safe out there!
The Urgent Need for Awareness of the "Slow Down, Move Over Law"
Vulcan Towing & Recovery is a family-owned business in Anchorage, Alaska. They have provided prompt and efficient towing and recovery services to their local community for many years. However, their mission goes beyond just providing excellent customer service. They are also dedicated to promoting roadside safety for emergency vehicles, inspired by a tragic event that happened to one of their drivers, Mike Moore.
Mike was an experienced and well-respected member of the Vulcan Towing team. He was working on a drunk driving accident scene and was hooking up the vehicle when another drunk driver crashed into his tow truck. Sadly, Mike died that day, leaving behind his family, friends, and colleagues.
The loss of Mike has deeply affected the Vulcan Towing team, and it has motivated them to take action to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. They believe it is their responsibility as a company and as community members to promote the importance of the "Slow Down, Move Over Law."
This law requires drivers to slow down and move one lane over when an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road. It is a law and a common-sense measure that can save lives. Emergency responders often work in high-stress situations and need all the help they can get to ensure their safety. By slowing down and moving over, drivers can give emergency responders the space they need to work safely and effectively.
Unfortunately, not everyone knows the "Slow Down, Move Over Law." According to a recent survey conducted by the National Safety Commission, 71% of drivers have never heard of this law. This startling statistic highlights the urgent need for education and awareness.
Vulcan Towing & Recovery believes education is the key to promoting roadside safety for emergency responders. They have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the "Slow Down, Move Over Law" and to encourage drivers to take action to protect emergency responders.
In addition to its awareness campaign, Vulcan Towing & Recovery has also taken steps to ensure the safety of its drivers and other emergency responders. They have also invested in training and safety equipment to ensure that their drivers are prepared for any situation they may encounter.
Vulcan Towing & Recovery understands that promoting roadside safety for emergency responders cannot be achieved overnight. It is an ongoing effort that requires the support and participation of the entire community. They urge drivers to take a moment to think about the emergency responders who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. By following the "Slow Down, Move Over Law," we can also do our part to help keep them safe.
In conclusion, Vulcan Towing & Recovery is a small business with a big heart. They are committed to promoting roadside safety for emergency responders and ensuring their drivers have the knowledge and tools to stay safe. They encourage everyone to join them to raise awareness of the "Slow Down, Move Over Law" and help make our roads safer for all.
Merger of Vulcan Towing and Webb's Towing: A New Era of Towing Services in Alaska
We have some exciting news for our valued customers in Alaska! Two of the best towing companies in the state, Vulcan Towing and Webb's Towing, have joined forces to provide an even better towing experience.
Vulcan Towing was founded in 1991 by Willie Creech, who passed the business down to his son, Justin Creech, in 2004. Since its inception, Vulcan Towing has been a family-run business and continues to be so. The company values its employees and considers them an integral part of the Vulcan Towing family.
At Vulcan Towing, we understand that an excellent towing company starts on the foundation of a great team. We pride ourselves on our commitment to safety, efficiency, customer care, satisfaction, and loyalty. These values have been the driving force behind our success and have allowed us to build long-lasting relationships with our customers.
We are honored to merge with Webb's Towing, a family-owned business serving Alaska since 1979. Webb's Towing has built a reputation for providing top-notch customer care and satisfaction, which aligns perfectly with Vulcan Towing's values. By combining the relationships, tenacity, and rapport that both companies have built over the years, we are confident that the merger will result in an even better towing experience for our customers.
We want to express our gratitude for our customers' continued support and loyalty. Our business thrives because of you, and we are committed to providing you with the best towing services in Alaska.
The Vulcan/Webb's Team is excited to embark on this new chapter in our history and can't wait to see what the future holds. We are confident that the merger of Vulcan Towing and Webb's Towing will result in a more robust, efficient, and customer-focused towing company.
In conclusion, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our customers for their support and loyalty over the years. We look forward to continuing to serve you and providing you with the best towing services in Alaska.
Sincerely,
The Vulcan/Webb's Team!
From Stuck to Unstuck: A Guide to Getting Out of the Snow
Welcome to Vulcan Towing's Guide to Getting Unstuck in Snowy Road Conditions! As a towing company based in Anchorage, Alaska, we've seen our fair share of vehicles stuck in the snow. But don't worry, with a little bit of know-how, you can get yourself out of most snowy situations.
First and foremost, it's important to stay calm. Getting stuck in the snow can be frustrating, but panicking will only make things worse. Take a few deep breaths and think about the best course of action.
The first thing you should do is assess your surroundings. Are you stuck in a ditch or on the side of the road? Is there anyone nearby who can help you? Is it safe to get out of the car? If you feel unsafe or there is any danger, stay in your vehicle and call for help.
If you feel it is safe to get out of your car, the first thing you should do is clear the snow away from your tires. This will give your tires more traction and make it easier to get unstuck. A small shovel is a good tool to have in your winter emergency kit for this purpose. You can also use a piece of cardboard or a rug under your tires for added traction.
If you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, it might be helpful to put a bag of sand or kitty litter in front of the drive wheels. This will give them something to push against and help you get some traction. If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, you can try putting the sand or kitty litter under the drive wheels.
Once you've cleared the snow and added some traction, it's time to try and get the car moving. If you have a manual transmission, try putting the car in second or third gear and gently applying the gas pedal. If you have an automatic transmission, try gently applying the gas pedal and shifting between "Drive" and "Reverse." If your wheels start to spin, try letting off the gas and then gently reapplying it.
If you're still having trouble getting unstuck, it might be time to call for help. Vulcan Towing is always here to lend a hand, but keep in mind that if we arrive on the scene and you are not there, you will be required to pay half the price of the tow.
If you do decide to call for a tow, be sure to give the operator your location and a description of your vehicle. It's also a good idea to have a phone charger with you, as well as a fully charged phone, in case you get stuck for an extended period of time.
So, to sum it up, here are the key points to remember if you get stuck in the snow:
Stay calm
Assess your surroundings
Clear the snow away from your tires and add some traction
Try to get the car moving by gently applying the gas pedal and shifting between "Drive" and "Reverse"
If all else fails, call for help and give the operator your location and a description of your vehicle
We hope these tips help you get unstuck and back on the road safely. If you do find yourself in need of a tow, don't hesitate to give us a call at Vulcan Towing. Just remember, if we arrive on the scene and you are not there, you will be required to pay half the price of the tow. Stay safe out there!
How to Drive Safely in the Alaska Winter
If you live in an area that gets significant snowfall during the winter season, then you know just how tricky driving in the snow can be. When the roads are blanketed in powder or ice, navigating the roads can be a challenge.
Given that Anchorage can see snowy or icy conditions for as much as six months at a time, knowing how to drive in snow is a must. While we can help you if you get stuck, we would rather you make it home safely without inconvenience or delay. Stay tuned to learn all about how to navigate winter roads in Alaska.
Alaskan Winter Driving Tips
Ready to brace for the weather and tackle Alaska’s snow-covered roadways? Here are our top winter driving tips to help you stay safe this season.
Drive Slowly and Smoothly
Winter driving is all about slowing down, driving smoothly, and maintaining distance between your car and the one in front of you. When there is ice or snow on the road, your traction will be worse than normal, and you should expect your tires to slide and spin. To remain in control of your vehicle, make sure that every acceleration, turn of the wheel, and push of the brakes is slow and deliberate.
Yield For Snow Plows
Motorists aren’t the only ones you’ll find on Alaskan roadways over the course of the snowy season. You should anticipate snow removers and plows being out and about, and it’s important to give them room.
If you find yourself behind a snow plow, make sure to distance yourself at least 200 feet, and note that whiteouts can occur if you follow too close. Additionally, avoid passing snow plows if you can, as their visibility tends to be limited. Moral of the story? Don’t crowd the plow!
Look Out For Black Ice
While black ice looks like wet pavement, it’s actually parts of the roadway that are covered by a thin sheet of ice. Black ice occurs when the sun thaws the snow and ice during the day. Then, as temperatures drop again during the afternoon or evening, the melted snow is refrozen into a smooth layer of ice. Black ice is hard to see, so make sure you’re driving slowly and carefully if it has snowed recently where you are.
Avoid Cruise Control
When driving in the snow, always avoid using your car’s cruise control setting. On low-traction surfaces like ice or snow, employing cruise control can result in your car skidding or spinning off the road.
Stay Vigilant
When it comes to winter driving, vigilance is key. Avoid any distractions that may take your focus off the road and keep your eyes peeled for anything that could impede your driving. As a general rule of thumb, you should always check the recent weather and road conditions before embarking on a winter drive in Alaska.
Car Winter Safety Checklist
If you’re going to be driving in the snow this season, you must come prepared. Follow this car winter safety checklist before hitting the road.
Fill your gas tank: You should always fill your tank before a snowstorm. If you’re going on a long drive where gas stations are few and far between, the last thing you want is to get stranded. Furthermore, a near-empty gas tank is more likely to freeze over in your driveway during a snowstorm.
Invest in sand or kitty litter: If you’re driving through heavy snow, you should anticipate getting stuck at some point. Keeping a bag of sand or kitty litter in your trunk will help your wheels gain traction if you find yourself spinning out.
Check windshield wipers and fluid: Make sure your windshield wipers are functioning as they should. (If they aren’t, replace them ASAP.) Additionally, top off your windshield wiper fluid with a non-freezing liquid. It also wouldn’t hurt to keep some extra fluid in the trunk of your car.
Check tire pressure and tread: You should be checking your tires monthly to ensure they are a) properly inflated and b) have the right amount of tread. If there is diminished tread on your tires, you’ll have trouble slowing down and/or stopping during the storm.
Carry an emergency supplies kit: When driving through a snowstorm, always plan for the unexpected. Pack an emergency supplies kit complete with non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, flashlights, cell phone (and battery), first aid kit, jumper cables, boots, gloves, and medication.
Top Anchorage, AK Towing Services
Even those who know how to drive in the snow can find themselves in a pickle during a snowstorm. When that happens, Vulcan Towing & Recovery will be here to help. As Alaska’s premier towing and roadside assistance service, we service Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, Eagle River, and Girdwood 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Want to learn more about our services? Give us a call today!
Types of Heavy Haul Trailers
As you consider which type of trailer to buy for your trucking business, you may become disoriented by the sheer number of choices available to you. Who knew there were so many ways to drag something big and heavy from here to there?
What are the different types of heavy haul trailers, and what are they good for? This guide will break down some of your options so you can buy with confidence.
First Things First — How Many Axles?
One of the first choices you will need to make is how many axles the trailer should have. You will find trailers with axel splits from five, all the way to nineteen and beyond.
Generally speaking, the more axels you go with, the greater the capacity you can haul. State, federal, and bridge limits apply, and each axel will have its own weight rating — meaning you may have to reposition the load to distribute the weight safely over each axel.
Types of Heavy Haul Trailers
Flatbed Trailer
You can’t get much simpler — a flatbed trailer is basically a flat platform mounted on top of various numbers of axles. With it, you can haul loads up to 8.6 feet high. Perfect for hauling standard containers, lumber, or long pipes.
Step Deck Trailer
A step deck trailer is a common type of heavy-haul trailer that doesn’t sit at one uniform level. It is higher at the gooseneck, where the trailer connects to the tractor, and then drops down with a “step” closer to the rear axle or axles.
With this lower elevation, loads as high as 10 feet can be hauled. Smaller items with a maximum height of 8.6 feet can be placed on the upper deck, with taller loads riding on the lower deck.
Step deck trailers are commonly used for hauling tractors, excavators, building materials, and agricultural materials.
Drop Deck Trailer
As with a step deck trailer, a drop deck trailer changes in height. In this case, past the front axle and the gooseneck it drips low, and then raises in elevation towards the rear axle, creating a kind of “well” or “valley” in the middle of the trailer bed.
Drop deck trailers can get quite low to the ground, enabling you to legally haul loads as tall as 12 feet high. Great for hauling heavy equipment like bulldozers, forklifts, and cranes.
Stretch Trailer
This is actually not a separate type of trailer at all. Instead, it is a feature common to the other types of trailers.
A stretch trailer is not of fixed length. It contains an extension section between the major axel positions so you can change the length of the trailer. As you can imagine, this makes the trailer quite versatile. For example, a two-axle stretch flatbed can extend anywhere from 48 to 80 feet.
Stretch trailers are available in flatbed, step deck, and drop deck configurations. Comes in very handy should you have the opportunity to haul overlong freight or freight of various lengths.
Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Trailer
Removable gooseneck (RGN) trailers can detach the trailer bed from the gooseneck (where the trailer connects to the tractor). When detached, the bed tilts down to form a kind of ramp.
This makes an RGN trailer ideal for moving heavy equipment like bulldozers or backhoes, because the equipment can simply be driven onto the bed in ramp-mode and then reconnected to the gooseneck when the equipment is secured.
Dual Lane Trailer
As you can imagine, dual-lane trailers take up more than one highway lane. They’re the ticket for hauling the heaviest of loads — for example, entire houses and other oversized equipment.
Need a specific trailer for your haul, or need help deciding which one to choose? Reach out to Vulcan today! We’re happy to help.
What to Do if You Come Across a Truck Accident In Alaska: 6 Steps to Take
Commercial trucks are a common sight on Alaska's roadways. According to the American Trucking Association statistics, there are almost 4 million Class 8 large commercial trucks. These trucks transport 11.84 billion tons of freight annually, which is about 72.5% of the nation's freight. Unfortunately, this high traffic volume means those truck collisions are a significant threat to motorists. And with the state's large size and remote location, it's not always easy to get help when needed.
That's why it's important to know what to do if you come across a truck accident while driving through Alaska. This guide will help you take the necessary steps to ensure you know what steps to take if you encounter a truck accident in Alaska. From calling for help to rendering assistance, we've got you covered.
1. Stop And Park In A Safe Distance
While it may be tempting to drive past them, it is important to stop and park your car safely and out of the traffic lanes if the road is blocked.
By doing so, you can help to prevent further accidents and injuries. In addition, you may be able to assist the truck driver or any other accident victims.
But make sure to park your vehicle in a safe manner. If possible, you should move your vehicle out of oncoming traffic and ensure your handbrake is on.
2. Ensure The Area Is Safe
Make sure the accident site is safe before you do anything. This includes turning on your hazard lights and placing flares or cones around your vehicle to increase visibility to other drivers.
And if there's any fuel or hazardous material leakage, keep everyone away from the scene and contact the appropriate authorities.
3. Notify The Police
Call 911 immediately. This, of course, is especially critical if there are injuries or if the accident obstructs traffic.
It's important for you to stay calm despite the situation and call the police right away. Make sure to give the police the exact location of the crash, a description of the vehicles involved, and any injuries you can see.
The police will further investigate the accident and determine what action is necessary.
4. Approach The Truck Only If Necessary
Semi-trucks are large, heavy vehicles that can cause severe damage in the event of an accident. The truck may be carrying hazardous materials. If the truck leaks diesel or you observe other spills emerging from the truck's freight, it could be a dangerous situation.
The truck may also be blocking the road. Approaching the truck could put you in danger of being hit by oncoming traffic.
If possible and safe, try to block off the area with cones or flares to make it easier for the police and ambulance to find the crash site.
The best course of action is to call 911 and wait for emergency services to arrive. Once they are on the scene, they will be able to assess the situation and take the necessary steps to ensure everyone's safety.
That is unless you see someone who needs immediate help. And this brings us to the next step:
5. Render Assistance If It Is Safe To Do So
It is always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to potential injuries. If you come across a crashed semi-truck in Alaska, it is important to assess the situation before taking any action.
If there are no apparent signs of injuries, you may want to wait for emergency responders to arrive before approaching the truck. However, if you see that there are injured people inside the truck, you may want to take action and provide first aid.
But do not try to move any injured person unless this is absolutely necessary because the truck is about to catch fire. Moving an injured person has the potential to turn a minor injury into something severe.
If there are any serious injuries, try to keep the injured person calm and still until help arrives. If you can, move any other people away from the accident scene so they don't get hurt.
Once medical help arrives, they will take over, and you can provide them with any information about the accident.
Always use personal protective equipment, including masks and gloves, if possible. If the truck is on fire, do not attempt to extinguish the flames yourself. Wait for trained personnel to arrive and handle the situation.
Remember, safety is always the top priority. If unsure how to proceed, it is better to wait for professional help than to put yourself or others at risk.
6. Stay At The Scene Of The Accident
In Alaska, it's the law that witnesses who actually saw what happened and what led to the crash must give their names, addresses, and vehicle registration numbers to the police. In addition, witnesses may be asked to give a formal statement to the police about what they saw.
The same is true for a driver whose car was involved in an accident. Leaving the scene in such a situation is a crime in Alaska. The driver could face serious penalties if caught.
And if you have any information about the crash, be sure to share it with the authorities.
Conclusion
In case you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of coming across an accident on the highway in Alaska involving a semi-truck, follow these 6 steps to ensure that you protect yourself and get the help you need.
And if you are in the situation or have any further questions about what to do after a truck accident, don't hesitate to give our team a call. We're here to help.
Heavy Haul Trucking: All You Need to Know About Moving Big Stuff in Alaska
Hauling heavy loads can quickly become problematic. Especially in a state like Alaska.
Even once the truck is on the road with freight, you can still run into last-minute complications, delays, and even routing issues.
Fortunately, the majority of challenges and mistakes can be avoided through proper planning.
And if you’re trying to transport heavy freight, learning all the factors you need to consider can save a load of hassle.
In this guide, we’re going to cover exactly what heavy haul trucking is, why it's important, and what it takes to make it happen:
What is Heavy Haul Trucking?
Heavy haul trucking (typically) involves moving anything larger than your everyday shipping container. This might include oversized freight, wide loads, and heavy equipment.
There is even a specialty of heavy hauling that includes unplanned transport and large vehicle recovery like this grader that got stuck in the snow.
Oh, and if you haven't experienced it yet, we always enjoy puzzling out these colossal transportation projects!
(Click on the image to see some more colossal transportation projects across the US!)
Why is Heavy Haul Trucking important to consider in Alaska?
In Alaska, well-planned and executed heavy haul logistics can save a lot of headaches. Whether road conditions become unfavorable and delay delivery of your freight or a sharper-than-expected turn causes damage to your shipment, heavy hauling can become quite problematic.
The problem: between ever-changing road conditions, the geography and topography, the isolated nature of our state, and the industries that make up our economy, heavy hauling can quickly becomes a complicated process.
But planning your heavy haul shipments doesn't have to be this way. Understanding the necessary precautions and requirements for moving your freight can make this a much smoother and more efficient process.
As we stated earlier, most problems can be resolved before a trucking company even starts hauling the load.
So, what are the things you need to consider when route planning? Let's start with the unique challenges that heavy haul truckers face in Alaska:
Road Conditions
This one’s pretty obvious. Driving in Alaska can become a dangerous venture for any vehicle. For trucks carrying oversized shipments, this gets even trickier.
Rapidly changing weather and road conditions only add to the problem.
While we are all familiar with the snow-covered roads and frequent earthquakes, considering their impact is a must.
Traction, bridge clearance, and bridge weight limits (especially with smaller regional earthquakes that damage bridges), can quickly change your route depending on the conditions of a road after a storm or earthquake.
The maintenance of these roads is also a major factor to consider as well. The farther that you get from Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, the road quality can change very rapidly.
Geography and Topography
Smaller vehicles and smaller roads don't typically need to consider this, but overweight or oversized shipments do.
With heavier loads, the grade of a hill can put more stress on the engine of a truck. In some cases, enough stress to actually keep the truck from making it up the hill.
As for oversized loads, the vehicle could struggle to make corners with trees or cliffs close to the road, which is often the case on many of Alaska's roads.
Isolation
One of the unique challenges that Alaska has to face is how isolated it is in comparison to the rest of the states in the lower 48. This is clear when you consider that driving to and from Alaska requires you to make at least two border crossings.
Not only that but even the cities and towns around Alaska are quite isolated and are sometimes only accessible by boat or plane.
Economy
For trucking companies themselves, it is important to consider the economy of the region it is shipping in. Businesses can also look at their local economy to get an idea of what local trucking companies are proficient in moving and which projects might need more specialized support.
But by considering what oversized and overweight loads are already being transported, you can get a better idea of what is available to you.
Curious about which industries you might want to start looking at?
6 Industries that use Heavy Haul Trucking on a Regular Basis
Below are six major industries that often find themselves using a heavy haul service. Your business might overlap with some of these businesses or be a unique project.
1. Construction
As we move into summer, outdoor construction projects start to become commonplace. Construction equipment suppliers will need to coordinate with project managers on the transport of large machinery which can often involve a trucking company.
And because of the number of construction projects starting in the summer, trucking companies will often find themselves very busy or completely booked through the day while other companies take on the night shift.
Here are some examples of the types of equipment that are transported by trucking companies:
Excavators. In this photo, a heavy haul trucking company called Vulcan Towing & Recovery is using one of its trailers and pilot vehicles to safely transport an excavator to the job site.
Front End Loader. Occasionally, an emergency like an avalanche that buried the Hiland Road in Eagle River requires large equipment to quickly be transported to help local communities.
2. Public Sector
The public sector spans smaller local governments all the way up to the federal government and the size of projects they need often has as big of a range.
For example, the Municipality of Anchorage might use a heavy haul trucking company to move large snowplows or buses. These projects tend to be seasonal like construction or one-off projects for a specific effort being made by a city.
As for the federal government, they can have much larger project requirements. These could include large infrastructure projects for highways or moving large military vehicles.
Examples of public sector transportation projects:
Busses. Heavy haul truckers are able to move large vehicles like a school bus when they need repaired or transported for any reason.
Military Vehicles. Occasionally, large military vehicles can need transport on and off base. The easiest way to do that is with a heavy haul trucking company.
3. Extractive Industries
Natural resource extraction makes up almost 25% of Alaska's economy between oil and gas extraction, mining & quarrying, forestry, and fishing.
Whether transporting the extracted goods themselves like logging trucks or the large equipment that does the extracting, trucking companies are heavily involved in extractive industries.
On the North Slope, getting equipment to the oilfields requires significant logistical effort. Between bulk liquids, materials, and vehicle transport, trucking companies often find themselves busy.
Other businesses like those in the agriculture side of Alaska's economy use oversized vehicle transports to upgrade their farm equipment.
Examples of extractive industry equipment transport:
Mining Equipment. Industries that use a lot of large equipment like the extractive industry require a significant amount of logistical support to transport large vehicles to and from the mining location.
4. Boating Industry
More specifically in our natural resources industry, boat transport is a big deal for a fishing state like Alaska. This isn't limited to commercial vessels either. Larger private boats can use land transport between marinas as well.
The relocation of boats or yachts tends to happen in late spring or early fall once the roads are cleared of snow and preparations begin for the summer season or in preparation for winter.
Land transport for boats can also occur when a water vessel is purchased, whether directly from the manufacturer or privately. Within some limits, you can have a boat transported while you move in or out of the state.
Examples of boat transports:
Boats. Vulcan Towing & Recovery was tasked with getting the Mystic back in the water before weight restrictions changed and the Mr. Big Hook was just the tool for the job.
5. Aviation and Aerospace Industries
This may be surprising, but planes are transported across the land as well! This is more common for planes that are being scrapped or built but still happen.
Examples of aviation and aerospace transports:
Helicopters. Transporting a helicopter by ground can offer significant cost savings and maximize productive flying hours.
Aerospace Logistics. When emergencies happen and aircraft parts are needed quickly, transporting parts safely can become a hassle given the size of the equipment without special transport.
6. Logistics Industry
While I’ve already mentioned planes and boats, trains, big trucks, and buses may also need a haul. Whether broken down or wanting to reduce the potential for damage, heavy haul truckers have served as an option for transporting vehicles in the logistics industry.
Examples of logistics transports:
Semi-trailer Truck. If high winds take an 18-wheeler off the road, recovery is necessary for retrieving the trailer and the semi-truck itself.
What does it take to prepare for your heavy haul loads?
Now that we have looked through some of the industries that use heavy haul transports, let's dig into what to consider when preparing for moving your freight.
A good place to start is the what, where, when, and how questions.
What are you moving?
This is one of the first questions that you will receive when you reach out to the company transporting your freight.
Are you moving one big item or a lot of small items? Is it liquid or solid? What size is this item?
The dimension question is one of the big decision-making factors when it comes to route planning and the trailer to use during transport.
The height of an object will affect which bridges and tunnels a vehicle can use. Turns, roads, and the use of escort or pilot vehicles will determine the width.
Then, to decide which trailer, the length and weight are important to consider.
For example, a short, 80,000 lb truck crossing a bridge will have weight concentrated on a smaller area that could cause potential damage. A long, 80,000 lb truck would have its weight distributed better across the bridge and have less risk for damage.
Lastly, when communicating details about your freight to the trucking company, be sure to add any special requirements.
How does temperature affect your freight? Would rain, snow, or other weather cause significant damage? Is your freight particularly delicate or flammable?
When telling the trucking company what you are transporting, the dimensions, weight, and special requirements, specificity is key in order for the heavy haul truckers to follow legal requirements.
Where are you moving it?
This is one of the more straightforward questions, but some details are often forgotten.
It's obvious that we'll need to know where to pick it up and where to take it, but it’s the places in between that can be the tricky part.
This is where a heavy haul expert can come in handy. They will ask questions like, will the freight be going through many cities? Counties or municipalities? States? Countries?
Each of these location categories can have their own requirements and restrictions. Some long, complex routes will need the truck to avoid entire areas entirely to not break local laws.
On rare occasions, freight will even need to be transferred from one trailer type to another to stay within regulation.
Additionally, you and the transport company will need to apply for some permits to move your goods through regions. The number of these permits will change based on where your freight travels.
When do you need it to arrive?
Another seemingly obvious question. When does your freight need to get to its destination?
What comes next is the wave of preparatory logistical questions to make sure unexpected delays don't impact your business.
Some important questions to consider are, when will the freight be ready for transport? Have you left extra time for unexpected shipping delays?
Answering these questions will give your transport team a better idea of the available timeline for transporting your freight.
How will it get there?
This stage of questioning will likely have an answer before this point, but it is still important to check regardless.
The logistics industry is vast and complex, but can simplify into a few major categories: Land, Sea, and Air.
Each have their own limitations and benefits, so they are each important to at least consider. Between Alaska and the Lower 48, the majority of cargo comes into Alaska by ship and could provide a cheaper option.
Transporting freight by air is more frequent, but often more expensive than by ship.
The benefits of heavy haul trucking provide flexible service that can do door-to-door service unlike planes, boats, and trains.
But, an option to consider are always multimodal solutions that use more than one form of transport.
So, now the next question is...
How does one make it all happen?
Once you understand heavy haul trucking, you can start to plan ahead and prepare better for transporting your freight. But, the question of who will do the move itself remains. You could take it any one of these three directions:
Assign the move to existing internal teams. If you have an existing team of heavy haul truckers, congratulations! You can hand the project off to your internal team and coordinate with them directly.
Buy equipment and hire an internal team. If you are planning on moving lots of oversized or overweight freight consistently, investing in an internal team might be a wise decision for your business.
Contract a heavy haul logistics company. For those that have one-off projects, or investing in an internal team isn't workable, hiring experts could be the answer. An expert trucking company can help plan and prepare transport for your freight, and then collaborate with you on executing the plan.
If you don't have a shipping department or can't afford the million-dollar equipment -- that's where we come in as your contracting heavy haul company. 😉
Whatever you choose, when executed effectively, heavy haul trucking will become a valuable resource for your business—and save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
Improper planning can lead to a lot of wasted time and money for businesses looking to transport large freight, but clear and timely communication can decrease transport times, decrease costs, and directly contribute to the growth of your business.
Take the time to properly plan and prepare for your heavy haul projects. You’ll be glad you did.