Last week Sussex Transport made a delivery to Dover using one of their HIAB vehicles. The load was a little wider than usual and therefore we had to advise the police of our journey as is customary with wide or abnormal loads.
In the UK, a load is considered ‘Abnormal’ if it exceeds 18.65 metres rigid length, 2.90 metres in width or 38,000kg gross weight, or with an overhang to rear of 3.05 metres
A second driver or an escorting car is necessary if the load exceeds 18.65 metres rigid length, 3.05 metres wide, or has a gross weigh exceeding 80,000kg, or has an overhang to rear in excess of 3.05 metres.
Depending upon the nature of the abnormal load and the route chosen, it may be necessary to notify the Police and the County Councils involved, together with Railtrack or British Waterways, if affected.
Whilst our vehicles are of standard length and width for the UK, there are some VERY ‘abnormal’ loads recorded in other countries;
The Longest
The widest? (30 feet of Caterpillar 797
