Heavy Haul Trucking Services
Heavy Haul Trucking for Oversized and Overweight Freight
Heavy haul trucking is used when freight exceeds standard size or weight limits, requires specialized trailer configurations, or calls for additional planning before it can move. Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc. provides asset-based heavy haul trucking for oversized and overweight freight throughout the continental United States.
Since 1996, Buchanan has handled challenging freight ranging from industrial machinery and construction equipment to tanks, presses, power generation equipment, and other large or unusually configured loads. Our heavy haul team coordinates equipment selection, load securement, permits, route planning, escorts when required, and communication from pickup through delivery.
Asset-Based Heavy Haul Experience Since 1996
Buchanan Hauling & Rigging began in 1996 with one truck and two trailers. Today, Buchanan operates more than 200 power units and more than 900 trailers supporting dry van, flatbed, specialized, expedited, and heavy haul transportation.
Heavy haul projects require more than capacity. The carrier needs to understand how dimensions, weight, axle configuration, loading conditions, route restrictions, permits, and delivery requirements work together. Buchanan's experience as an asset-based carrier gives our team direct access to specialized equipment and the people responsible for planning and executing each move.
Founder Geary Buchanan brought decades of trucking experience to the company when it was established. That operating background remains part of how Buchanan approaches difficult freight today, with an emphasis on preparation, communication, equipment selection, and safe execution.
Heavy Haul Trailers and Specialized Equipment
Oversized and overweight freight often requires trailer configurations that go well beyond standard flatbed equipment. Buchanan's heavy haul fleet includes equipment designed to distribute weight, reduce loaded deck height, accommodate long freight, and support complex loading and unloading requirements.
Heavy haul equipment available through Buchanan includes:
- Schuerle trailer and steerable dual-lane perimeter frame equipment
- Multi-axle trailer configurations for heavy freight
- Trailer combinations using jeeps and stingers for additional axle distribution and support
- Extended trailer configurations for long and oversized freight
- Step deck and lowboy equipment for loads requiring reduced deck height
- 11 and 13 axle configurations with standard and I-beam inserts
- Steerable dolly units for specialized load configurations
- Suspension beam trailer configurations for extremely heavy freight
- 12 and 13 axle RGNs with specialized deck configurations
- Non-steer pole dollies for long, rigid freight
Selecting the right trailer begins with the freight itself. Dimensions, total weight, center of gravity, loading method, ground clearance, origin and destination access, and route restrictions can all affect which configuration is appropriate.
Buchanan also maintains its equipment through company maintenance operations, helping keep tractors and specialized trailers ready for demanding projects.
Heavy Haul Planning, Permits and Route Coordination
The planning behind a heavy haul shipment can be just as important as the equipment carrying it. Oversized and overweight freight may require permits, route surveys, bridge and roadway reviews, escort vehicles, restricted travel times, or special coordination at the origin and destination.
Before a heavy haul load moves, Buchanan can review shipment dimensions and weight, trailer requirements, loading and unloading conditions, route considerations, permit requirements, escort needs, and delivery timing. Identifying those requirements early helps reduce delays once the shipment is ready to move.
Requirements vary by state and by shipment. Buchanan's team coordinates the applicable oversize and overweight permitting and routing process based on the specific load rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all transportation plan.
Heavy Haul Freight for Demanding Industries
Buchanan supports industries where freight dimensions, weight, loading conditions, or project schedules require specialized transportation planning. Heavy haul freight we handle can include:
- Construction: Cranes, bulldozers, girders, structural steel, highway equipment, and other large construction components.
- Energy: Transformers, power generation equipment, wind energy components, tanks, and other equipment used in energy infrastructure.
- Manufacturing: Industrial machinery, production equipment, and heavy presses.
- Agriculture: Tractors, combines, agricultural machinery, and other large farm equipment.
- Mining and Industrial Operations: Crushers, drills, conveyor components, processing equipment, and other heavy machinery.
- Unique and Specialized Freight: Historic steam locomotives, diesel engines, industrial storage tanks, vessels, and other freight that does not fit standard trailer configurations.
Every industry presents different transportation challenges. A heavy press may require careful weight distribution and loading coordination, while an oversized tank may depend more heavily on route clearance, escorts, and destination access. Buchanan plans the move around the freight rather than forcing every shipment into the same transportation process.
“The carrier was very professional, responsible, and knowledgeable about this oversize load. They picked up on time, tarp the whole thing and delivered in good conditions.” – C.S.
Learn more about Buchanan's company background on our About Buchanan page or review the principles that guide our operations on our Mission and Values page.
Safety and Preparation for Heavy Haul Transportation
Heavy haul transportation requires careful attention to load securement, axle weight, equipment condition, route restrictions, and changing road conditions. Buchanan incorporates safety and preparation into the planning process before specialized freight leaves the pickup location.
Drivers and operations personnel work together to review securement, weight distribution, equipment requirements, permits, routing, and other project-specific details. When a shipment requires pilot cars, police escorts, restricted travel windows, or additional coordination, those requirements are addressed as part of the transportation plan.
Buchanan's approach to specialized transportation was recognized in 2026 when the company received the SC&RA Job of the Year Award in the Loads Under 260,000 lbs. category for a complex transport project involving planning, safety, innovation, and execution.
Heavy Haul Transportation Across the United States
Buchanan provides heavy haul transportation throughout the continental United States. Operating locations in Indiana, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Arizona help support freight movement across major transportation corridors and regions of the country.
For terminal information, regional coverage, and details about Buchanan's operating footprint, visit our Buchanan locations page.
Heavy haul is one part of Buchanan's broader asset-based transportation capabilities. Shippers that also require dry van, flatbed, expedited, or specialized transportation can review our freight transportation services.
Why Shippers Choose Buchanan for Heavy Haul Trucking
Heavy haul projects often involve freight that cannot be replaced easily and schedules that leave little room for mistakes. Buchanan combines an asset-based fleet with experienced drivers, specialized trailers, planning support, maintenance operations, and dispatch communication to manage demanding moves.
Depending on the project, Buchanan's heavy haul capabilities can include:
- Heavy haul and specialized trailer selection
- Oversize and overweight permit coordination
- Route planning and route surveys
- Multi-axle equipment configurations
- Load securement planning
- Escort coordination when required
- Tear-down and assembly support
- Crane and rigging coordination
- 24/7 dispatch support
- Shipment tracking and communication
Whether the shipment is a single oversized move or part of a larger project, our goal is to match the freight with the appropriate equipment and build a transportation plan around the specific requirements of the load.
Heavy Haul Project Examples
Watch several Buchanan heavy haul projects in action:
SC&RA 2026 Job of the Year Award Winner
Additional examples of Buchanan's heavy haul work include:
- 19-Axle Buchanan Heavy Haul Transport
- 76 Foot Tank Transport from Indiana to Kentucky
- 92 Foot Beam Heavy Haul Transport from Arkansas to Kentucky
- 2015 Heavy Haul Tank Transport Video
- Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc. Digital Brochure
- Buchanan Heavy Haul Division Digital Brochure
Planning a Heavy Haul Shipment?
If you have oversized, overweight, or unusually configured freight to move, Buchanan can review the project and determine the equipment and planning requirements involved. Use our dedicated rate request page to provide your shipment details and connect with our transportation team.
