Pilot Car Services in Colorado
The legal mandate for pilot cars to accompany oversized loads in Colorado and other states is more than a safety measure. They play critical roles in traffic control and route surveys. The experience of the pilot car driver is a crucial quality as their knowledge of the local terrain and landscape allows for maximum operation, minimizing delays for the customer. For the best customer experience with an excellent team of drivers and logistics specialists, your go-to pilot car services provider is Nationwide Transport Services. Our excellent customer satisfaction ratings, customer support, and experience in the field are the pillars of our services.
A route survey involves assessing the intended transport route to check for possible risks or challenges and validate the route. It uses pilot cars, which must display a route survey identification sign. Low-hanging utilities like power lines, traffic lights, and bridges are of particular concern. Identifying these ahead of time allows for the timely acquisition of all necessary permits from utility companies and the authorities. On the other hand, traffic control involves planning for the expected traffic conditions and clearing lanes where needed during transit.
Pilot Car Requirements in Colorado
Colorado pilot cars can be two-axle trucks or passenger vehicles that are appropriately registered, licensed, and safely operating during the escort. The vehicle cannot exceed a 16,000-pound gross weight or have a width past 60 inches. While in operation, these vehicles should not tow a trailer or carry any equipment or load that enters the mobility or visibility of the pilot car. Equipped in these vehicles are two-way radios with a minimum transmission distance of one and a half miles and are compatible with all other accompanying vehicles. The vehicle signage requirements call for the vehicles to display an 'OVERSIZE LOAD' sign mounted to the front to be legible to oncoming traffic. At least one flashing yellow or amber light shall be mounted on top of the vehicle, visible to oncoming traffic from the front and rear, with the headlights on at all times during operation.
In Colorado, pilot cars are a requirement for loads more than 16 feet in height, over 85 feet in length, and more than 8 feet 6 inches in width, as well as for overhangs more than 15 feet at the front and 25 feet at the rear.
Why Choose Our Colorado Oversize Load Escort Services?
Nationwide Transport Services is a top-rated pilot car and escort vehicle services provider in Colorado. Contact us for the following services and more.
- Lead Escort Services in Colorado
- Rear Escort Services in Colorado
- Colorado Flagging Services
- Chase Car Services in Colorado
- High Pole / Height Pole Services
- Route Survey Services
- Port Escort (TWIC CARD) Services
- Bucket Truck Services in Colorado
- Super Load Escorting Services in Colorado
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ACTUAL-MID-PAGE-FORM-2024
Colorado Oversized Load Requirements
Height Requirements
- Loads over 16' in height need a front pilot car with a pole attached.
- Route surveys for the intended route must be submitted for loads that exceed 17' 6 inches.
- For loads over 17' high, legal contractors must accompany the convoy through intersections with overhead traffic signal control.
Length Requirements
- For over-length loads more than 85' long, one front escort vehicle leads on mountainous two-lane highways.
- The pilot car should be at the rear for those more than 115' long on four-lane highways.
Width Requirements
- Widths between 8'6" and 11' require one pilot car at the front during daylight on blue designated highways
- Widths between 8'6" and 12' during night travel need one front flashing yellow light and three at most on the rear.
Overhang requirements
- For overhangs more than 15' at the front, the pilot car shall travel ahead of the load
- The pilot car shall follow the load for overhangs over 25' in the rear.
Special stipulations
- Any vehicles over the legal size and weight limit need a temporary permit to move across the state.
- Operating times for oversized loads run from sunrise to sunset, except those between 12' and 14' wide.
- The transport of oversized loads is restricted on several public holidays, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day.
