Preparing for the Road: Why Heavy Towing Takes Extra Planning
As a tow truck company, we’ve moved all sorts of loads along the highways, but nothing requires more attention to detail than a heavy towing job. Planning these moves isn’t as simple as hooking up a trailer and heading out. With I-80 heavy towing, we’re moving the heavy-weights of the road! That means we need to think about what’s above, below, and alongside every mile of the route.
From bridges that weren’t built to handle extreme weight, to axle weight laws that change from one state line to the next, there’s a lot we need to map out before the wheels start rolling. When we plan a heavy transport or tow, the goal is to move safely, legally, and without surprises.
Know What’s Hanging Overhead: Bridge Clearance
Every route starts with a look-up. Bridge clearance can turn into a major obstacle if we don’t measure right. Even a few inches too tall, and we’re not going anywhere.
We check the height of every bridge along the planned route, especially on rural stretches of I-80 where older structures might not meet today’s clearance standards. It’s not just about bridges either: signs, overpasses, and traffic lights can also become hazards. A load that clears one side of town might get stuck—or worse—just a few exits down the highway.
Keeping It Legal: Axle Weight and Distribution
Weight limits aren’t about the total weight alone, but also about how that weight sits on the vehicle. Axle weight laws exist to protect the road itself. Too much pressure on one axle can cause damage to the surface or even collapse an older bridge.
That’s why axle weight plays such a big part in I-80 heavy towing. We start by looking at how the cargo is balanced across the trailer and tractor. We use weight distribution calculations to make sure the load meets both federal and state axle weight requirements.
Here’s what we take into account:
- Gross vehicle weight
- Weight per axle group (single, tandem, tridem, etc.)
- Bridge formula limits
- Road surface and weather conditions
Even a small misstep here can result in steep fines or force a complete reroute.
Paperwork Isn’t Just Paper: Permits Do Matter
We can’t go anywhere without the right permits. Every state has different requirements when it comes to heavy loads. One trip might take us through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, all with their own rules.
We handle a mix of permits for I-80 heavy towing jobs:
- Oversize/Overweight load permits
- Trip permits
- Route-specific permits for restricted zones
- Escort vehicle permits when needed
If a load needs a police escort or travel time restrictions (like no night driving), that goes in the plan, too. Nothing gets left to chance.
We Don’t Go It Alone: Coordination Is Key
Heavy-towing is a team effort. It’s not just the driver and dispatcher, it’s route planners, permit agents, escort drivers, and sometimes even utility crews if overhead wires need lifting. We stay in constant contact to make sure everyone is where they need to be.
Some heavy haul projects involve coordination with:
- Department of Transportation officials
- Bridge engineers
- Escort and pilot car services
- State highway patrol units
That level of teamwork makes I-80 heavy towing possible on roads that were never designed for 80,000-pound-plus loads.
Falzone Towing Service: Trust the I-80 Heavy Towing Experts
Heavy towing can’t be rushed. We take the time to plan every detail because we’ve seen what happens when things are rushed. It protects the load, the road, and everyone around us.
At Falzone Towing Service, we approach every I-80 heavy towing job with the same mindset: do it right, or don’t do it at all. The highway can throw a lot at us, but with the right prep, our I-80 heavy towing team is ready for it.
Let’s face it: moving 100,000 pounds through multiple states doesn’t just happen. It’s earned with hours of research, a sharp eye for measurement, and a stack of permits an inch thick. We’re proud to say that’s what we do every day.
