Commercial Trucks Hauling In 2024

Commercial truck transportation requires additional attention. To help you be sure that everything goes right with your commercial truck hauling we have prepared this guide.

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In the world of logistics, shipping large and bulky commercial trucks can be a complex and daunting task. Whether you’re a seasoned trucker or a first-time shipper, Compare The Carrier can help you find the best rates and services for your needs.

In this article, we discus what commercial truck hauling is and give you information on how to transport commercial trucks. It also details the rates for shipping commercial trucks and what to pay attention to when hauling them.

What is сommercial truck hauling?

How does the transportation of сommercial trucks work?

Commercial trucks hauling rates, cross country, and overseas

What to pay attention to when hauling сommercial trucks?

FAQ

What Is Commercial Trucks Hauling?

Mostly, when one talks about Commercial trucks, semi-trailer trucks are meant. They usually consist of a tractor unit (like Peterbilt 389, for example) and one or more semi-trailers that carry freight (like a Cottrell 10-car hauler).

Hauling commercial trucks may seem rather difficult because of their size, but when a professional takes care of all the details, the transportation process will go smoothly and trouble-free.

In case, commercial trucks are not the only heavy vehicles you are planning to ship, we advise you to check our full guide on Heavy Equipment Hauling. There you can find more detailed information on shipping farm equipment, tractors, excavators, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment.

How Does The Transportation
Of Commercial Trucks Work?

Cross Country Truck Shipping

Transportation of the semi-trailer is rather easy as it can be simply attached to any tractor unit and hauled from one location to another.

When it comes to the transportation of a tractor unit itself, the process becomes more complicated as there are some ways the vehicle can be shipped.

First of all, the tractor unit can be loaded on a semi-trailer (which is hauled by another tractor unit) and transported to the delivery location. But when this type of shipping is used, extra attention should be paid to the height of the truck.

There are 3 types of semi-trailers that may be used for transportation depending on the height of the tractor unit(s) that needs to be shipped:

– flatbed truck – maximum load height of 8’6”;

– step deck truck – maximum load height of 10’2’’;

– lowboy truck – maximum load height of 12’.

If the Commercial truck you are planning to transport exceeds the height of 12’, it needs to be shipped on a lowboy truck with an escort service going before and after the trailer to make sure that the road is good for oversize freight. They also warn other vehicles about oversize cargo.

Another way to transport the truck unit is towing it with the help of another truck. In this case, the front wheels are pulled onto the tractor unit and properly fixed. This way of shipping looks similar to shipping a regular vehicle with a tow dolly.

And the last and probably the easiest way is to have the tractor unit driven away for you. In such a case, the shipping company will hire a truck driver, who will drive the trailer from point A to point B.

So once you submit a quote and choose the company that will be shipping your truck, the logistics manager will ask you to provide them with the exact pick-up and drop off addresses and detailed information regarding the vehicle: its year, make, model, height, and modifications if any were made.

The professional team of dispatchers and shipping managers will check the specification of the vehicle and road restrictions and find the best route for the driver to go. After that, once the exact carrier is assigned to your order, you will receive his details (like name and phone number) and he will call you in advance to negotiate the pick-up and then drop-off time.

Overseas Commercial Truck Shipping

If you are planning to move the commercial truck overseas, you have nothing to worry about. Even though at first the process may seem a bit difficult because of the paperwork that needs to be done, shipping a semi-trailer overseas is actually much easier than shipping it cross country.

After you provide the shipping company with the route, estimated dates, and vehicle details, your personal shipping manager will look over all this information and choose the most efficient way (if more than one is available) to transport the truck overseas.

All in all, for commercial trucks there are 3 transportation methods available:

– container transportation is the most cost-effective method, but only available if the vehicle can fit into a container;

– Flat-rack method is more expensive than the previous one but can be used for any kind of truck. Besides that, inoperable vehicles are mostly shipped this way as the vehicle is loaded on a flat rack and then put onto the top deck of the vessel using a crane;

– RoRo shipping is only available for operable trucks as they are driven on and off the ship. Shipping companies may also have height restrictions and usually, only vehicles that are less than 15’ high can be transported this way.

To give our readers a more in-depth understanding of the transportation process, we’ve put together an engaging video guide. It delves into each stage of truck shipping, from selecting an auto transport broker to welcoming your truck at its new location.

Commercial Truck Hauling Rates

Cross Country Commercial Truck Shipping Rates

Cross-country shipping rate is usually defined by only two factors: the size of the commercial truck and mileage. Below you can find an average rate for commercial truck hauling based on the last orders we had.

Mileage	Time in transit	Cost
up to 500 mi	1-2 days	$5 per mile
500 – 900 mi	3-4 days	$4 per mile
900 – 1500 mi	4-5 days	$3,5-4 per mile
1500 – 2000 mi	6-8 days	$2,5-3 per mile
more than 2000 mi	8-12 days	$2 per mile
Get Your Exact Hauling Rate

Overseas Truck Hauling Rates

As well as cross-country shipping rate, the price for shipping the commercial truck overseas varies greatly depending on the size of the truck, the route, and the type of transportation you choose. As there are so many overseas and international destinations and so many types of trucks, we cannot provide you with the average rate, unfortunately.

Instead, we decided to provide you with rates on the last shipments on the quotes submitted with Compare the Carrier. But in order to get the exact rate for shipping your truck, we advise you to request the quote here. It’s very easy and you only need to input the pick-up and drop-off location and the make and model of the truck.

	Transport Type, Distance	Cost
Peterbilt Model 579	Ro-Ro Kent, WA to Honolulu, HI	$4900
Peterbilt 348 Dump Truck	Flat-rack Honolulu, HI to Los Angeles, CA	$5730
Volvo Cascadia Sleeper (inoperable)	Flat-rack San Diego, CA to Anchorage, AK	$7890
Volvo VNL64T300	Ro-Ro Los Angeles, CA to Fairbanks, AK	$4280
Freightliner M2	Ro-Ro Tacoma, WA to Juneau, AK	$3120
Freightliner 122SD	Ro-Ro Soldotna, AK to Port Angeles, WA	$3840
Get Your Exact Hauling Rate

What To Pay Attention To
When Hauling Commercial Trucks?

There are a few things we advise you to check and pay attention to before shipping a truck.

1) Request a quote for truck shipping far in advance, so you will have more time to get everything scheduled. That is especially important if are shipping a vehicle overseas.

2) Before the driver comes to pick up the truck, make sure there is enough place for loading.

3) Once the tractor unit is loaded onto the trailer, make sure that it is properly fixed and tied down.

4) Don’t forget to close all the windows and lock the doors.

Also when you receive the truck unit, make sure to check it for any damages just in case. If there are any, note them in the Bill of Lading and contact your logistics manager as the shipping company will help you submit a claim to the insurance company and they will send you a check to cover damages.

Exceptional attention to detail and experience in hauling heavy equipment is essential when planning the transportation of Commercial trucks overseas or hauling them cross country.

Choosing the best route and the most efficient way of shipping ensures that the vehicle arrives on time and no extra costs will be spent. Compare the Carrier works with the best US shipping companies, and once you request a quote on our website, you will have no doubts that hauling your commercial truck will be stress-free and happens with no delays.

FAQ

Does Compare The Carrier handle all types of commercial trucks?

Certainly! We have experience shipping a wide range of commercial trucks, including semi-trucks, box trucks, flatbeds, lowboys, and more. Just let us know the specifics of your vehicle and destination, and we’ll match you with the perfect carrier.

What factors affect the cost of shipping a commercial truck?

Several factors influence the price, such as the truck’s size, weight, distance traveled, chosen shipping method (open vs. enclosed), and current fuel prices. However, Compare The Carrier helps you navigate these factors and find the most cost-effective option.

What documents are needed to ship a commercial truck?

Typically, you’ll need the truck’s title, registration, proof of insurance, and weight certificate. Depending on the shipping route, additional permits or documentation might be required. We have a checklist on required documentation.

What happens if my commercial truck gets damaged during shipping?

Reputable carriers have insurance policies covering potential damage. With Compare The Carrier , you can choose additional protection plans for even greater peace of mind.

What are the different methods of shipping commercial trucks?

e offer various options depending on your needs and budget. Open-air transport is the most cost-effective but exposes your truck to the elements. Enclosed trailers offer protection from weather and theft, while flatbeds are ideal for oversized or overweight loads.