What Is an Oversized Load?

The common thresholds: wider than 8′6″, taller than 13′6″ loaded, longer than trailer-legal, or heavier than 80,000 lbs gross. Cross any of them and the load needs permits from every state it crosses, possibly escort vehicles, and sometimes route surveys — each state sets its own rules.

Oversize is normal in heavy haul: most full-size excavators and dozers are oversize by width alone. The craft is planning — permits filed against exact dimensions, routes chosen for clearances, and travel windows (many states restrict oversize movement to daylight and weekdays) built into the schedule.