Frost Laws for Trucking Industry
It’s all about the weight
Who hasn’t complained about pot holes or those nasty cracks in the roads that go on for miles bumping your vehicle and you the whole way. State frost laws are an attempt to limit the damage caused by heavy vehicles traveling on roads where surface ice is thawing but the moisture doesn’t have an escape into the ground.
The Physics of Thawing Ice!
Enough about the physics involved, after all this is not a high school physics or chemistry lab! How does it apply to trucking? These are seasonal restrictions generally associated with the spring months of March, April, May, but have gone into June. When the frost laws are in effect, the axle loading limits are reduced by as much as 35% of the normal amount. This is probably the most important take away from this article. “The Axle load limits are reduced” So, more axles may then be required to haul a heavy or overweight shipment.
Watch Your Speed During Frost Laws
Speed limits may also be imposed during frost laws. States and Canadian provinces, via state, county, or city governments will determine when and where frost laws will be in effect. Some roads are deemed “all-season” which apparently can withstand the freezing and thawing conditions by design. Although there are exceptions and permits that can be obtain for those who don’t have to follow the frost laws, but generally these are not available to those of us in the heavy haul trucking industry.
How Much to Quote?
The final note on the frost laws is not about the when, where, and why, but about how much does it cost the industry. If you quote a shipment on a 5 axle truck trailer combination and then try to move the load during the frost law restrictions, you might have just under bid the true cost of that move. So, it’s important to consider the frost laws when quoting a shipment. Thanks for reading!
We Love Heavy Haul Trucking!
My name is Travis Smith and I've been working in the trucking business since 1994 and with Heavy Haul Trucking since 2001. Our office knows about oversize, heavy and specialty loads and how to get your load exactly where you need it, safely and on time. I enjoy writing about Heavy Haul and if you're interested in learning more, please sign up for our free newsletter. If you need a shipping quote, just call (417) 312-2920 or visit our Free Freight Quote page for more details. Google+
