What is an Abnormal Load?
A simplistic definition of an Abnormal Load is a consignment that is not normal. Having said that, to most people, it means something that results in the truck being over length, over width, over height or over weight – on many occasions, a combination of all four.
In more recent times, when categorising cargo, the expression OOG (Out of Gauge) or OS (Over Size) have come into play.
In any event, it then begs the question as to what is the maximum length, width, height or weight permitted. With a standard truck, throughout the UK and Europe (with a few exceptions), there are clearly defined, universal limits – the most common being the maximum length of a standard trailer at 13.60m.
Regrettably the same does not apply to Abnormal Loads – where the maximum dimension/weight permitted varies from country to country and, in some cases, region to region. Just to further complicate matters, in some countries this is an absolute, legal limit – in other countries it is subject to approval from the local highway authority, predominately in relation to the overall characteristics of the vehicle, the proposed route, the date of movement etc.
Whatever the situation, the combined experience of the STG team is second to none.
