Ahh, “load dimensions”, seems straight forward enough, I mean, after all when we measure something it should be the same with any tape measure or scale that you use. However, load dimensions do cause a lot of head aches in the trucking industry so lets tackle the common issues.

Load dimensions are very important, let’s start off with some dimension etiquette. Just like there is golf etiquette, there are do’s and don’ts in discussing dimensions.

Dimension Etiquette

1. It’s best to keep dimensions in feet and inches or all inches is okay too. example 8’6″ or 102″
2. Dimensions should be given as Length, Width, Height then Weight in that order. example 45′ x 8’6″ x 10’2″, 40,000 lbs
3. Provide all dimensions if possible.  Only having one or two dimensions doesn’t tell the whole story.
4. Keep dimensions consistent, don’t provide distance in feet and inches and the weight in metric for example.
5. Estimate on the high side. example If you believe a shipment is 65K lbs and when scaled its 68K lbs it could be a real problem, better to say 70K lbs.

Now, anyone can go on the web to convert meters to inches for example, or re-order the dimensions provided from width/length/height to length/width/height, but dispatchers work in a faced paced environment and what seem to be small items can escalate causing dire consequences.

The Hubble telescope needs glasses!

Remember when the Hubble Telescope was launched and it didn’t work, that was do to a conversion problem with dimensions.  Of course accurate dimensions are important for oversize and heavy haul loads, but they are important on legal sized shipments as well. Tarping and LTL’s (less-than-truckload), are just a couple reasons that dimensions are important not to mention to confirm the load is legal dimensions to begin with; and yes I’ve talked to shippers who have thought 8’7″ wide was legal.

So measure twice and ship once, to paraphrase an old wood working quote.  Providing accurate and timely dimensions will help your shipment be delivered safely.