How to Spot Red Flags in Heavy Equipment Transport Costs
When it comes to heavy equipment transport services, there is only one place you want to see a red flag, and that is on your oversized loads. Red flags are a sign that there could be more serious problems with your transport company, so doing your research and understanding the costs before you secure any heavy equipment shipping service is vital.
1. Really Low Shipping Costs
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Heavy equipment hauling is complex and requires special equipment and a professional driver to transport your load safely and securely to its destination. When comparing shipping rates between companies, bear in mind that a low quote may be a warning sign that points to an inexperienced driver shipping your load. This has important implications for the safety of your heavy equipment.
There are many aspects that must be factored into the cost of shipping your load.
Distance Travelled
Longer travel distances incur higher fuel costs and require longer manpower hours. Oversized loads may also require specialized trailers and special permits, so you can expect to pay more for your shipping costs.
Expert Professional Heavy Haul Driver
Professional drivers have expert knowledge about the equipment that is needed to haul different types of machinery. With a variety of trailers available for use, choosing the correct one for the size and weight of your equipment is important. A professional heavy hauler knows how to properly load, secure and unload your equipment to prevent any damage during transit.
Professional drivers also know the best travel routes to take in order to meet height restrictions for equipment when passing under bridges or overpasses and possible weight limitations on certain routes.
Cargo Insurance
Cargo insurance is a big expense for a professional heavy hauler and a driver who is not insured or underinsured poses a big threat to your investment.
2. No Transparency In the Cost to Ship Heavy Equipment
Transportation costs will vary depending on the shipping distance and load complexity, so understanding the costs before you commit to a shipping service will prevent any unexpected surprises when you receive your transport bill.
Secure the services of a heavy equipment shipping company that will provide you with an upfront quote, so you know exactly what you will be paying for. Make sure you can easily get in touch with customer service to discuss any extra requirements and get further clarification on costs.
3. No Testimonials or Low Ratings
When it comes to heavy-haul shipping, it is important to secure the services of a professional and reputable company. In today’s online world, customer testimonials are a useful feature that can help you discern the quality of the service you are enlisting. Google reviews and ratings are also popular with customers and can assist in the decision-making process.
Feedback from customers who have actually used the service is helpful when deciding which company to go with. It also gives you good insight as to the level of customer service that you can expect to receive. Does the company respond to customer reviews? A company that responds appropriately to all its reviews is also indicative of providing a high level of customer service.
Trusted Dispatch: Transporting Heavy Equipment Across North America
At Trusted Dispatch, we believe in giving you peace of mind by providing high-quality shipping services across North America. We provide fair and transparent pricing and have a network of professional drivers who are cargo insured and ready to accept your delivery.
Just use our online calculator to get your free, instant shipping quote. Enter the pick-up location, drop-off destination, dimensions, and weight of your load. If you don’t know these product features, use our powerful Specs Tool, which has over 60,000 pieces of machinery listed in our database. Simply enter the brand and model of your equipment to find your specs. Once you receive your quote, save it, or post it to our load board to lock in your quoted price.
If you are looking for expert trucking services and huge cost savings, look no further than Trusted Dispatch for all your shipping needs. Get your free instant quote today.
