How to Ship a Water Well Drilling Rig: Complete Transport Guide
Water well drilling rigs range from compact trailer-mounted units to massive truck-mounted and crawler-type rigs weighing 40,000–80,000 lbs or more. Shipping a drilling rig requires careful attention to height, width, and weight — many rigs exceed standard permit thresholds and require specialized lowboy trailers, multi-state permits, and experienced rigging crews. IronHaul Logistics specializes in drilling rig transport nationwide.
Types of Water Well Drilling Rigs and Their Transport Profiles
Water well drilling rigs come in several configurations, each with different transport requirements:
- Trailer-Mounted Rigs (compact): Smaller rigs designed for residential or shallow-well work. These units are often self-contained on a gooseneck trailer and can be towed by a heavy-duty pickup or semi. Typical weight: 10,000–25,000 lbs. Width: 8–10 ft. Height (mast down): 12–14 ft.
- Truck-Mounted Rigs (mid-size): Rigs mounted on a commercial truck chassis (typically a tandem or tri-axle truck). These are self-propelled but cannot legally drive long distances on public roads due to weight and width. Typical weight: 30,000–55,000 lbs. Width: 8–10 ft. Height (mast down): 13–15 ft.
- Crawler-Mounted Rigs (large): Track-mounted rigs used for deep wells, geothermal, or commercial/municipal projects. These must be transported on a lowboy trailer. Typical weight: 40,000–80,000 lbs. Width: 8–12 ft. Height (mast down): 12–16 ft.
- Deep-Well / Heavy-Duty Rigs: Large commercial rigs capable of drilling to 1,500–2,500 meters. These can weigh 80,000–150,000 lbs and require multi-axle lowboys or modular trailers. Width can exceed 14 ft, requiring superload permits.
Permit Requirements for Drilling Rig Transport
Federal oversize/overweight thresholds that trigger permit requirements:
- Gross vehicle weight over 80,000 lbs
- Width over 8.5 feet (102 inches)
- Height over 13.5 feet from road surface
- Length over 53 feet
Most mid-size and large drilling rigs exceed at least one of these thresholds. Truck-mounted rigs are particularly challenging because the truck chassis adds to the total weight, and the mast (even folded) often exceeds 13.5 ft in height. Crawler rigs typically exceed width limits due to their track width.
Trailer Selection for Drilling Rig Transport
| Rig Type | Recommended Trailer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trailer-mounted (compact) | Gooseneck or Step-Deck | Often self-contained; may be towed directly |
| Truck-mounted (mid-size) | RGN Lowboy or Step-Deck | Truck chassis loaded onto trailer; mast must be folded |
| Crawler-mounted (large) | Multi-axle RGN Lowboy | Tracks drive onto lowboy; mast folded; width often triggers permits |
| Deep-well / heavy-duty | Multi-axle Lowboy or Modular Platform | May require disassembly into multiple loads for superloads |
Loading and Securing a Drilling Rig
Proper loading of a drilling rig requires attention to several key points:
- Mast position: The mast must be fully lowered and secured before transport. Verify that all hydraulic locks are engaged and that the mast is pinned in the transport position.
- Stabilizer legs: All outrigger and stabilizer legs must be fully retracted and secured. Loose stabilizers can shift during transport and create a safety hazard.
- Drill string and tooling: Remove or secure all drill pipe, casing, and tooling. Loose pipe is a serious road hazard and a DOT violation.
- Fluid tanks: Drain or secure all water, mud, and fuel tanks. Partially filled tanks create dynamic load shifts during transport.
- Tie-down points: Use manufacturer-designated tie-down points. Minimum 4 chains or straps per DOT regulations; heavy rigs require 6–8 tie-down points with appropriate working load limits.
Special Considerations for Drilling Rig Moves
Drilling rigs are often located at remote job sites with limited access. Confirm that the pickup location has adequate road access for a semi-truck and lowboy trailer — minimum 14 ft overhead clearance and a firm, level surface. If the rig is at a remote site, a crane or excavator may be needed to assist with loading.
Many drilling contractors move rigs between job sites on short notice. IronHaul maintains a network of available lowboy carriers nationwide and can often dispatch within 24–48 hours for urgent moves.
Ready to ship your drilling rig? IronHaul Logistics handles permit coordination, trailer dispatch, and nationwide transport for all types of water well drilling rigs. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or submit a quote request online.
Common questions
What trailer do I need to ship a water well drilling rig?
It depends on the rig type. Compact trailer-mounted rigs can often be towed on a gooseneck. Mid-size truck-mounted rigs typically require an RGN lowboy. Large crawler rigs and deep-well rigs require multi-axle lowboys or modular platform trailers. IronHaul will recommend the right trailer based on your rig's dimensions and weight.
Do I need permits to transport a drilling rig?
Most mid-size and large drilling rigs require oversize/overweight permits. Federal thresholds are 80,000 lbs GVW, 8.5 ft wide, and 13.5 ft tall. Truck-mounted rigs often exceed height limits even with the mast folded. IronHaul coordinates all required permits as part of our service.
How do I prepare a drilling rig for transport?
Lower and secure the mast, retract all stabilizer legs, remove or secure all drill pipe and tooling, drain or secure fluid tanks, and verify all tie-down points are accessible. IronHaul's drivers will perform a pre-load inspection and advise on any additional preparation needed.
Can IronHaul pick up a drilling rig from a remote job site?
Yes. IronHaul regularly picks up equipment from remote locations. We will confirm road access requirements in advance and can coordinate crane or excavator assistance for loading if needed. Provide the GPS coordinates or address of the pickup site when requesting a quote.
How much does it cost to ship a water well drilling rig?
Cost depends on the rig's dimensions, weight, pickup/delivery locations, and required permits. Compact rigs on short hauls can be relatively affordable; large crawler rigs on long-haul moves with superload permits are significantly more expensive. Contact IronHaul at (208) 495-2260 for a precise quote.
Ready to move a machine?
Tell us what you're shipping and where. We quote direct — no bidding wars, no load-board runaround.