Freight Rate Considerations For Heavy Haulage

Lawrence Kim

There are different factors that are taken into account when calculating the rate for a shipment. It is important to understand how the varying aspects of the transportation of heavy goods will affect the final cost. If you are considering acquiring an item that may require heavy haulage services, here are the main considerations that will affect the freight rate for your load.

Distance and Direction

Naturally, the transportation distance is directly proportional to the cost of the haulage services. However, similar distances could have different rates depending on the direction towards which the shipment is traveling. This is linked to the freight volumes that go in and out of an area. When the freight opportunities going into a particular state are more than the goods leaving, incoming transport rates will be higher. The transport network is also complicated, so the chosen route may reflect on the cumulative amount.

Truck Type and Fuel

The kind of equipment required to carry your load will have a specific rate which will be added to the base cost. There are different types of trucks used in heavy haulage because of the specialised needs presented. If your cargo is undemanding and can be carried in a flatbed, there may be no additional charges to the base. As more specific requirements are added, the rate per mile will increase. Additionally, in the past, fuel was not surcharged but the rising prices have changed this, which means haulage companies will surcharge current fuel prices on every shipment.

Cargo Size

Heavy commodities will incur more charges than lighter ones. This is directly linked to the expense of transport because added weight will require more fuel for haulage. The dimensions of the cargo are also considered in the freight rate because specialised trucks are required in carrying large and cumbersome volumes. Overweight and oversize goods are quite expensive to transport because excess mass and excess dimensions permits respectively are needed. The regulations are set by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to ensure safe operation and movement on the roads.

Accessories

Extra charges apply if you request for accessories for your goods. The rates will vary depending on the type of items, which include the tarp, tolls and lift gate. Additional services such as unloading and the availability of an insurance cover will also drive the cumulative cost of haulage up.

When requesting for a quote from a heavy haulage company, ensure that you have presented the details of the shipment accurately so as to obtain a good estimate.


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