Manufacturing Is For Everyone!

If a customer has recently ordered a large, wide, long, or otherwise custom made piece of equipment through your business, then you may be a bit concerned about how the item will be shipped to the individual. This is a major concern as a manufacturer, especially if the equipment extends over the side of your heavy haul truck. While you can move and ship the item once you prepare the necessary permits, you may not be sure about how to get your truck from point A to point B. This is where a pilot car comes in handy. Keep reading to learn about a few questions about pilot cars. 

What Is A Pilot Car?

If you have never shipped a heavy load or wide load item before, then you may be unfamiliar with the type of transport escorts that are required. An escort is needed to drive in either the front or the back of the vehicle, and the escort is referred to as a pilot car. A pilot car is driven by an experienced individual who may be certified as a pilot car driver. Some states have certifications while others only allow individuals to be pilot car drivers if they have the required equipment. State requirements typically indicate that the driver must have flagging paddles that help to maneuver and stop traffic safely. Flashlights, cones, flares, blinking lights, and signs are part of the equipment too.

Most pilot cars will have CB radios that allow for direct and constant contact with the hauling vehicle. All pieces of equipment will be used when the pilot driver deems there is a necessity. This includes getting out of the vehicle and directing traffic and the truck with cones and flags if an obstacle is present.

Will The Pilot Car Create The Route Survey?

If you ship out loads often, then you probably complete route surveys to make sure that bridge clearances and roadway weight limits are not an issue. While you may be used to completing the survey on your own, it is best to allow the pilot car service to do it for you. This is necessary to make sure that power lines, trees, and other overhead obstacles are not an issue. Also, road widths will be considered and so will bridge widths and overpasses. 

If power lines or other overhead obstacles are an issue, the pilot car business will contact the utility companies and local municipalities to work out the temporary raising of these things. The scheduling of the lifting, the approved route, obstacles, stops, and other issues will be drafted in a report and explained to you and your heavy truck driver. For more information, contact a business such as Veteran Pilot.