Heavy haul trucking companies provide a vital service to businesses and individuals that need to transport large, heavy and awkwardly shaped items. These companies have the specialized equipment and trained personnel necessary to safely load, transport, and unload oversized shipments. Picking the right heavy haul trucking company is essential to ensuring that your shipment arrives at its destination safely and on time. Here are a few key things to look for to make sure you’re choosing one of the best heavy hauling trucking companies:
1. Equipment
The first thing you’ll want to check is the type of equipment that the company has, as it will help you gauge their capability. Take a quick survey of their trucks and see if they have a good mix of flatbeds, lowboys, and other trailer hire that can accommodate different loads. You want to ensure they have the right tools to haul your load safely and efficiently. You won’t have to worry if you partner with OCT, a Toronto shipping company capable of shipping large containers via land, sea and air.
2. Insurance
Another thing you’ll want to look into are the company’s insurance policies. Ensure they have enough coverage to protect your load in case of an accident. You’ll also want to make sure that their insurance is up to date and that they have no lapse in coverage. That way, if something does happen, your shipment is covered. You can feel safe once your get your California truck insurance with Royalty Truck Insurance agency.
3. Training and Certification
Next, you’ll want to check on the company’s training and certification. All drivers should have the proper training and certification to operate the equipment. You’ll also want to ensure that the company has a good safety record. Ask them about their safety procedures and policies to understand how they operate. You can even check their safety record with the DOT to see if they have any accidents or violations.
4. Experience
Experience is another crucial factor when choosing a heavy haul trucking company. You’ll want to ensure that the company you choose has plenty of experience transporting loads like yours. The last thing you want is to damage or lose your load because the trucking company wasn’t experienced enough.
5. Reputation
Reputation is everything in the trucking industry. You’ll want to ensure that your chosen company has a good reputation. Depending on your location, you will have different outcomes. As a good example, trucking companies in Mississauga have an excellent reputation and continue to improve over the years. You can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the company. You can also ask if anyone you know has used the company before and what their experience was like.
6. Transparency
When dealing with a trucking company, you want to make sure that they are transparent. That means they should be upfront and honest with you about their rates, policies, and procedures. You should never feel like you’re in the dark when it comes to your shipment. The company you choose should be able to answer any questions you have and keep you updated on the status of your shipment.
7. Shipping Possibilities
Of course, you’ll also want to make sure that the company you choose has experience shipping to your destination. You’ll like to inquire about their shipping routes and see if they have any restrictions. You’ll also want to ask about their transit times to ensure that your shipment will arrive on time.
8. Safety Measures
If you’re shipping something valuable or sensitive, you’ll want to ensure that the company takes proper safety measures. That includes things like using GPS tracking and secure storage facilities. You’ll also want to make sure that the company has a suitable security protocol to protect your shipment. The company also has to give you a way to track your shipment to see where it is at all times.
Follow up with their routine truck maintenance to know how well they take care of their trucks. You don’t want to use a company whose trucks are constantly breaking down, which could put your load at risk. Also, check how the cargo loading system work. You need a company that will load your cargo securely to avoid accidents en route. Find out what their packaging system is like too.
9. Price
Of course, you’ll also want to consider price when choosing a heavy haul trucking company. You’ll want to get quotes from several different companies to ensure you’re getting the best deal. You have to pick a company that offers a fair price, something under your budget, but you also don’t want to sacrifice quality or service. Make sure you’re also considering the other factors on this list.
When working with a heavy haul trucking company, you want to make sure they portray all the above qualities. These are just a few essential things to look for when choosing a company to work with. If you keep these factors in mind, you should have no problem finding a great company to work with.
