How To Measure Freight For Shipping

Life is a game of inches. The same goes for truck freight shipping. Having accurate shipping dimensions down to the last inch is necessary and might be more important than some shippers initially believed.

Shipping Dimension Requirements

Shipping with FR8Star is a hassle-free experience. We calculate your freight rate, itemize all third-party costs like permits and provide access to book shipping instantly with our network of carriers. But before you can get started, you’ll need to have accurate dimensions of your equipment, machinery or other large freight. Our freight rates are generated based on live market data and include the trailer type as well as any permits required if a load is oversize. The accuracy of our freight rate calculator hinges on the accuracy of your shipping dimensions.

Always Measure From The Widest/Tallest/Longest Part

It may seem like common knowledge, but we can't overstate the importance of measuring correctly. If a measurement is off on the height, for example, your load may not be eligible for certain trailer types and might require special permits that differ from state to state. Be sure to measure your equipment or machinery from the widest, tallest and longest part on each end–regardless of how tiny the part seems.

For example, the New Holland tractor below has a stack that is higher than the roof line. As long as the stack is still connected to the trailer, it becomes the highest measuring point to determine the height of the tractor. It’s best to have two people measure so one can hold either end of the measuring tape. If you don’t have another person around at the time, you can try anchoring the measuring tape end pinned between the ground and tire to measure upwards toward the top of the stack.

Say you have a load that is close to 8ft in height but don’t know for sure. You’ll want to measure the dimension accurately to determine if the load is 8’2″ or 8’7″. When a load is over 8’5″, the cheapest option won’t qualify as a flatbed load and instead will need to travel on a step-deck trailer. The step-deck trailer is better suited for larger equipment that is taller because the trailer sits lower to the ground and won’t need the same permits as the flatbed, therefore the freight rate would actually be lower. Although it’s just a few inches, the difference would drastically affect the total freight rate if the load is considered oversize, not to mention the carrier can refuse the load because the incorrect dimensions can lead to violations by the Department of Transportation and major issues crossing low bridges.

Remember, accurate dimensions mean accurate freight rates. Get yours today and book shipping with a qualified FR8Star carrier instantly!

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