Heavy haul trucking (the hauling of unusually heavy loads) and oversize load trucking (the hauling of loads that are larger than regular vehicle dimensions) are an important part of Alberta’s trucking industry. From moving heavy equipment, bringing specialized cargo to the oil and gas industry, and transporting extremely long wind turbine blades, heavy haul and oversize load carriers ensure items of all different sizes get to where they need to go—all with minimum impact on our roads.

Heavy haulers drive a variety of highway tractors and trailers meant for many different types of cargo. They often work in teams, driving with smaller vehicles known as pilot cars, to help navigate their enormous vehicles.

  • Seasonality

    While work in this sector is nonseasonal, certain products may be seasonal.

  • Method of Pay

    Drivers will see a variety of pay deals, including hourly, by distance (i.e., by the mile), a percentage of load revenue, or a combination of these.

Equipment and Tasks

Equipment in this sector may include regular tractors with flatbed trailers for some oversize loads, or specialized trucks and trailers for items too large or awkward for standard equipment. The work is complicated and involves trip-specific permits.

  • Equipment

    Drivers may operate:

    • Day cab and sleeper tractors
    • Ballast tractors
    • Regular flatbed trailers
    • Specialized cargo-specific trailers for items like grain bins and wind turbine blades
    • Multi-axle trailers for heavy loads
  • Tasks

    Drivers can expect to perform common driving-specific tasks like city and highway driving, pre-and post-trip vehicle inspections, cargo securement, and customer service-related responsibilities. They’re often involved in loading and unloading their trailers as part of a larger crew, use a radio to communicate with pilot vehicles to help them navigate routes, must be able to read and understand permits, and work alongside utility crews who may be needed to lift powerlines and move street lights to help them pass.

Lifestyle in the Industry

Drivers in this sector will see great variety in their working life. The individual employer influences the specific lifestyle of a heavy haul and oversize driver can expect. Some companies may only do a small amount of oversize work. In those instances, a driver may experience work that’s similar to a regular flatbed driver and only seldomly be required to haul an oversize load.

  • Work Shifts

    Shifts may be limited by permits, such as only operating during daytime hours or only operating at night when there’s reduced traffic. This depends on the location and load. Shifts can be up to the full legal hours available to drivers in Canada (14 hours of work in a 16-hour shift).

  • Physical Demands

    Oversize load trucking and heavy haul trucking can be physically demanding. During the loading and unloading process, drivers will be involved in chaining and tying down loads and climbing up and down ladders on their equipment.

  • Work/Life Balance

    The lifestyle of drivers in this sector depends greatly on the individual company. Some companies do shorter, more regular trips that allow drivers to be home on the weekends and throughout the week. Other special trips may require a driver to be gone for multiple weeks, such as when moving an item across the continent.

  • Predictability

    The work is generally predictable, although some heavy haul trucking companies may have great variety in their working schedules based on their customer base.

  • On-Call

    On-call work depends on the individual employer.

Getting Started

It’s unlikely a new, inexperienced driver will be hired in this sector. Oversize and heavy haul trucking companies typically want drivers with some amount of previous Class 1 driving experience. Individuals interested in careers in this sector will likely have to start by finding their first trucking job in another area.

Once someone has the necessary experience, they can apply to a heavy haul or oversize company in the same manner as any other company. They’ll have to pass the pre-hire safety checks, such as a driving evaluation and a review of their driving record. After being hired, drivers can expect on-the-job training and a period of mentorship under a more experienced driver before being able to operate independently.

It’s not common to enter this sector through other pathways. However, interested individuals are encouraged to contact companies individually to see what options are available to get their start in this sector.

  • Mandatory
    Requirements

    Mandatory requirements include a Class 1 licence or any other licence class required for the vehicles in question. Drug and alcohol testing may be necessary. Cross border drivers are required to:

    • Be at least 21 years old to drive commercially in the USA.
    • Be compliant with the USA’s drug and alcohol testing requirements.
    • Be legally able to enter the USA and Canada (including compliance with any public health requirements from either country).
    • Have a criminal record checks and the necessary documentation to enter the USA.
  • Preferred Skills &
    Previous Experience

    Previous over dimensional experience at other companies is preferred, especially with smaller loads as drivers often work up to larger road moves. Heavy equipment operating experience, a good attitude, and patience are also assets for employers.

Red Flags

Drivers in this sector operate much larger, heavier equipment than other commercial drivers. People interested in starting a career in heavy haul trucking should be on the lookout for these potential red flags (aka signs that an employer may not be operating safely):

  • Equipment and vehicles that are in poor condition.
  • Being pressured to become an owner-operator early into one’s career or any other signs of employee misclassification.
  • A lack of safety training by an employer, including transportation-specific training for the vehicles being driven and training on safely loading and unloading equipment.
  • Not being provided with an orientation to new pieces of equipment, like specialized trailers for certain cargoes.
  • No training on how to communicate with pilot drivers.
  • Being required or asked to violate the conditions of a permit.
Quick Facts:
  • Oversize may also be heavy haul if the item(s) being hauled is both large and heavy.
  • Heavy haul and oversize drivers get to operate trucks and trailers that most will never get to see in their careers.
  • Heavy haul and oversize load carriers learn a specialized skillset—one that improves their employability in other sectors.
  • Heavy haul trucking is complicated and requires the ability for drivers to work as part of a team with law enforcement, pilot drivers, and office staff when moving especially large items.

More Help

Are you interested in learning more about working safely in transportation? Check out our Resources page for insights from industry experts and organizations. We’ve taken great care to present information relevant to those interested in truck and bus driving careers, those already employed in trucking or busing, and employers navigating labour challenges.

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Contact Information

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