How to Ship a Vacuum Excavator or Hydrovac Truck: Complete Transport Guide

Understanding Vacuum Excavator Weight and Dimensions

Vacuum excavators and hydrovac trucks vary significantly in size and configuration. Key specs to gather before booking transport:

• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): A fully loaded hydrovac truck can weigh 60,000–80,000 lbs or more. Even empty, the truck itself may weigh 30,000–50,000 lbs depending on tank size and configuration.
• Overall length: Typically 30–45 ft for truck-mounted units. Trailer-mounted units vary by configuration.
• Overall width: Most hydrovac trucks are 8–9 ft wide, often exceeding the 8.5 ft permit threshold.
• Overall height: Typically 12–14 ft, which may exceed the 13.5 ft threshold for taller units with elevated boom arms.
• Tank status: Always transport with tanks empty. Residual material in the debris tank adds unpredictable weight and creates weight distribution problems.

The Weight Distribution Challenge

Hydrovac trucks are engineered to transfer weight to the front and second axles to maximize payload capacity while staying within road weight limit laws. However, this weight distribution is designed for the truck operating under its own power — not for transport on a trailer. When loading a hydrovac on a lowboy or RGN, the carrier must carefully position the machine to achieve proper axle weight distribution on the trailer. Improper positioning can result in overloaded axles, which is a DOT violation and a safety hazard.

IronHaul's carriers who specialize in hydrovac transport understand this challenge and use axle scales to verify weight distribution before departing the pickup location.

Trailer Selection for Hydrovac Transport

Most hydrovac trucks require specialized trailers due to their weight and dimensions:

• RGN (Removable Gooseneck): The most common choice for hydrovac transport. The removable gooseneck allows the truck to drive on under its own power (if operational), and the low deck height helps manage overall transport height.
• Drop-Deck / Step-Deck: Suitable for lighter hydrovac units that don't require the full lowboy deck height reduction.
• Multi-Axle RGN: Required for very heavy units (over 80,000 lbs combined with trailer and tractor) to distribute weight within per-axle legal limits.

Permit Requirements for Hydrovac Transport

Most hydrovac trucks trigger at least one permit threshold:

• Width: Units wider than 8.5 ft require oversize width permits in every state on the route.
• Height: Units taller than 13.5 ft require oversize height permits.
• Weight: The combined weight of the hydrovac truck, trailer, and tractor often approaches or exceeds the 80,000 lb GVW threshold, requiring overweight permits.

IronHaul's permit team files all required state permits as part of the transport coordination. For multi-state moves, expect $150–$600 in total permit fees.

Pre-Transport Preparation

Proper preparation is critical for hydrovac transport:

• Empty all tanks: Both the water tank and debris tank must be completely empty before transport. Residual material creates weight distribution problems and may violate weight limits.
• Retract and secure the boom: The vacuum boom must be fully retracted and locked in the transport position. Loose boom arms can shift during transit and cause damage or safety hazards.
• Secure all hoses and accessories: Vacuum hoses, water hoses, and other accessories must be properly stowed and secured.
• Check for leaks: Carriers can refuse loads with active water or hydraulic leaks. Address any leaks before pickup.
• Verify the unit is drivable: If the hydrovac can drive under its own power, loading on an RGN is straightforward. Non-operational units require crane or forklift loading — coordinate this with the carrier in advance.

Tie-Down and Securement

Hydrovac trucks must be secured with chains rated to at least 50% of the load's weight per tie-down point. Standard practice includes four chains minimum (two forward, two rear) attached to the truck's frame tie-down points, plus additional chains securing the boom arm and any loose accessories. The carrier is responsible for securement, but shippers should verify chains are properly rated and positioned before the transport departs.

Ready to ship your vacuum excavator or hydrovac truck? IronHaul Logistics handles hydrovac transport for underground utility contractors, pipeline companies, and equipment dealers nationwide. Get a quote at our website, call (208) 495-2260, or email [email protected].