Tag: semi truck shipping

How to Tow a Semi Truck Using Another Semi Truck

How to Tow a Semi Truck Using Another Semi Truck

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William Thomas / January 2024

Towing your semi-truck using another semi-truck is an ideal way to transport it from one location to another. To do it, you need the assistance of a reputable shipping company capable of handling this task quickly and resourcefully. The towing experts you pick should have a reputation for offering consistent, top-notch services customized to suit your unique needs.

Fortunately, you can know what to expect from a semi-truck towing service provider by checking its website or social media profiles. What do previous clients say about it? Positive reviews could mean the company will give you your money’s worth. Negative comments are a red flag and should prompt you to look for another towing organization.

Heavy Equipment Transport should be on your list of options whenever you search for a reputable company to tow your semi-truck using another. We tick all the boxes for a reliable, affordable, and convenient towing company serving the nation. So, let’s delve into how we’ll haul your semi-truck using another.

Expert Semi Truck Towing And On Time Delivery

The first thing Heavy Equipment Transport does when moving your semi-truck with another semi-truck is design a concrete plan to do this. Next, our team will get all the equipment to get the job done as expected, depending on the first semi truck’s features. For instance, the towing semi-truck has to be larger and weightier than the one we’re moving. This promises enough power to keep towing, even in traffic.

During this process, our semi-truck hauling professionals use a tow bar. We attach its front part to a rear-mounted hitch on the towing semi-truck—we have high-quality safety chains to avoid failure. Our drivers are extremely cautious to avoid any delay while in transit. Therefore, we ensure that there’s no passenger in the semi-truck we’re towing. We also turn on its ignition to prevent the wheel from locking. Finally, if we’re pulling the vehicle at night, we ensure the towed semi truck’s parking lights are on to warn other motorists on the road and prevent accidents.

Peterbilt 587 on lowboy trailer

Transport Your Semi-Truck Today

Heavy Equipment Transport is always available for a quote. Fill out the form or give us a call now! (888) 730-2951

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How to Tow a Semi-Truck with Heavy Equipment Transport

You shouldn’t think twice about contacting Heavy Equipment Transport to tow your semi-truck using another semi-truck. For us, this process is a breeze, owing to our over ten years of hands-on experience. In addition, our outstanding semi-truck towing experts know precisely what to do to ensure this process is smooth, safe, and speedy.

At Heavy Equipment Transport, we boast an exceptional logistics team whose job is to create an error-free semi-truck towing plan based on the dimensions and condition of your vehicle. This enables you to rest assured of efficiency no matter where you are in the United States. We also come with an incredible customer support team available around the clock to enhance your experiences and offer client satisfaction. If you want to know the location of your semi-truck, or the progress we’ve made, we’re just a click away!

What is Truck Piggybacking?

What is Truck Piggybacking?

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William Thomas / January 2021

What Is Truck Piggybacking?

Truck piggybacking is a unique shipping process involving using one trailer to transport more than one semi truck. This can be up to there or four trucks, depending on their individual weights and length compared to the trailer capacity. This is how it works:

First, a semi truck is hitched onto the first tractor trailer’s 5th wheel. The first tractor-trailer is the one pulling the load. Another truck is then attached to the back of this trailer. Another follows until up to four trucks have been hitched to the first tractor-trailer. By doing so, one tractor-trailer can easily haul up to four more trucks to their ultimate destinations. During the hauling process, only the rear wheels are in contact with the ground while the front wheels are safely hitched to the fifth wheel mount.

Advantages of Truck Piggybacking in Transportation

Truck piggybacking is a cost-efficient shipping process, especially if several trucks are moving along a common route. The loading and unloading process is safe and easy, especially with specialized heavy hauling equipment. Besides, the load is very secure as each truck is securely hitched to the 5th wheel. You can, therefore, enjoy a safe, reliable, easy, and stress-free shipping process.

Truck piggybacking does not require any specialized shipping equipment, such as flatbed, gooseneck, or lowboy trailers. So this makes the shipping process more affordable and further simplifies the entire hauling process. Besides, truck piggybacking only requires one driver once it has been safely loaded and does not require an additional hauling specialist. This reduces the ultimate labor costs incurred during loading and unloading.

Semi trucks prepped for transport
Two semi trucks shipped on a step deck trailer.

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Heavy Equipment Transport is always available for a quote. Fill out the form or give us a call now! (888) 730-2951

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Safety Consideration During Truck Piggybacking Shipping Process

There are two crucial things to consider when truck piggybacking. First, be sure not to exceed the maximum load limit for each truck during the shipping process. If you have no professional skills or experience to safely load the trucks, you might want to consider contacting hauling experts for professional help. Having handled numerous jobs similar to yours, a shipping expert will ensure that your trucks are safely loaded and well-balanced to avoid overloading. Proper balance ensures maximum stability on the road and guarantees a smooth hauling process.

Be sure to inspect the individual trucks and ensure that the rear wheels are in perfect working conditions and properly inflated. Note these are the only source of contact between the trucks and the ground surface. Therefore, worn-out and poorly inflated tires should never be used. If any of the truck’s tires are worn out, this can lead to the driver losing control.

How Much Does It Cost To Transport a Semi Truck

How Much Does it Cost to Transport a Semi Truck

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William Thomas / January 2021

How Much Does It Cost to Transport a Semi-Truck?

Ideally, you can ship a semi-truck by towing it behind another semi-truck. While this might be a very straightforward and affordable option, it might not be practical when you need to tow over long distances. This is because it tends to put excess pressure on the drivetrain. When transporting a semi truck across the country, the best option might be using a flatbed, step deck, Removable Gooseneck, or any other specialized trailer.

Usually, it might cost you a little more to transport an inoperable semi compared to transport a fully operational one. This is primarily due to the loading, unloading, and shipping of the cargo, which might be a little more complex therefore attracting extra charges. For instance, loading an inoperable semi onto a trailer might require additional equipment such as cranes and forklifts. The best thing would be partnering with a reliable and reputable heavy hauling company. Be sure to ask them about the costs of hauling an inoperable semi-truck, so you can prepare if there are additional fees. All the same, a reliable company should be able to provide you with a precise and transparent estimate and be willing to negotiate depending on your needs and budget. Here are some of the factors that might affect the total cost of transporting your semi-truck.

Semi Truck Delivery, Distance, and Seasons

Semi truck on step deck trailer for transport

“Usually, it might cost you a little more to transport an inoperable semi compared to transport a fully operational one. “

Generally, the longer the distance between the pick-up and the destination point, the more the trucking and delivery costs. All the same, freight rates also depend on the specific geographic location, routes, and other delivery complexities. Fortunately, experienced drivers know the shortest, safest, and easiest ways to maneuver, reducing the distance and, resultantly, the total cost of transportation. They can also add more fulfillment centers to frequently operated areas, reducing delivery times to far-flung areas.

Seasons can significantly influence the total transportation costs. An increase in demand translates to an increase in price. This is where an experienced semi truck transportation company comes in handy. They can effectively forecast the trends in the previous years and guide you on the best times to ship your semi-truck. Besides, no doubt shipping your semi-truck during the winter season will come at a higher cost. This is because shipping heavy equipment during such climatic seasons requires special consideration. There are also more restrictions put in place, meaning that you might need extra permits and sometimes a change in the hauling schedule. The roads are also challenging to maneuver, and in some cases, the drivers might have to use alternative lanes to guarantee safe hauling. Suffice to say, all these disruptions together translate to a higher shipping budget.

semi truck prepared for transport on a trailer

Transport Your Semi Truck Today

Heavy Equipment Transport is always available for a quote. Fill out the form or give us a call now! (888) 730-2951

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Labor Costs Involved in Handling, Trucking, and Delivery of Semi Trucks

Depending on the dimensions of your semi-trailer, your transport company will have to calculate how much workforce is required. This is not only about loading and offloading but also the ease of handling during transit and the type of trailer that can accommodate the cargo. This also includes the extra materials and resources the company might have to provide, such as cranes and rigging equipment such as straps and chains. Suffice to say, larger and heavier semi-truck models will cost you more to transport compared to smaller and lightweight models.

Overhead Transport Costs of Additional Materials for Semi Truck Shipping

Insurance coverage, fuel costs, and cargo tracking all come at an extra cost. This also includes additional resources such as protective covering when you need semi-protected from such elements as hailstones and extreme heat from the sun. The vehicle’s mileage is also considered an overhead cost and will also be included in the quote of the shipping service. While these costs might seem like a little too much, setting for a cheaper but unreliable company might cost you more in the long run.

Featured Transport: Semi Truck Transport With Sam!

Featured Transport: Semi Truck Transport with Sam!

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William Thomas / January 2021

Sam, one of our top heavy equipment transport specialists, received a call from a client who urgently needed his semi trucks transported from Landover, MD to St Mary’s, OH. The client wanted the two vehicles transported that very day. At Heavy Equipment Transport, we provide expedited shipping services. At an extra fee, your heavy equipment is immediately transported. Sam immediately processed the shipment by acquiring the right documents and fully insuring each of the vehicles. After evaluating their sizes and weight, he decided that a step deck trailer would be suitable to transport them. All our specialists are professionals when it comes to recommending the best trailers. From years of experience they know the maximum capacity of each.

Loading Semi Trucks Safely

Sam sent one of our drivers in Landover, MD to pick up the two semi trucks for transport. He carefully loaded them on the trailer and tightly secured them. He then called Sam who dispatched the shipment. After evaluating different routes, our driver decided to use I-70 W. It was the fastest and the most convenient. Heavy Equipment Transport has manpower and resources to ship machinery all over the country. This makes it easy and fast to pick up heavy equipment anywhere in the country and transport them to the client’s destination of choice. Our driver was careful not to overspeed along the way. He made regular stops to confirm if the vehicles were still intact. He tightened them to ensure they were safe while on transit. 

vehicle on a trailer

Safe and Fast Semi Truck Shipping Services

Sam sent one of our drivers in Landover, MD to pick up the two semi trucks. He carefully loaded them on the trailer and tightly secured them. He then called Sam who dispatched the shipment. After evaluating different routes, our driver decided to use I-70 W. It was the fastest and the most convenient. Heavy Equipment Transport has manpower and resources all over the country. This makes it easy and fast to pick up heavy equipment anywhere in the country and transport them to the client’s destination of choice. Our driver was careful not to overspeed along the way. He made regular stops to confirm if the vehicles were still intact. He tightened them to ensure they were safe while on transit. 

William Thomas

William Thomas

Heavy Transport Specialist

Being able to lead a team of such talented logistics agents has been a wonderful experience over the past ten years. If you would like to know anything more about the heavy equipment transport services we offer, don't hesitate to give us a call!

(888) 730-2951