Slow and Steady
18 OVERDRIVE SEPTEMBER 2009 C hris Sheehan can't imagine doing any-thing else. The Shelton, Wash.-based owner-operator is a blade runner who moves massive windmill blades used to generate electricity. Leased to Integrated Energy Wind Services, he's hauled blades as long as 153 feet, stretching his overall length to 178 feet. It's the most gratifying thing I've done as a trucker, he says. Sheehan is a member of an unoffi cial corps of truckers who specialize in handling oversize or overdimensional freight. They transport heavy construction equipment, cranes, transformers, yachts, modular housing and other big bodies. These owner-operators face restrictions that gov-ern where they can operate, when they can haul and how fast they can travel. After obtaining ap-plicable permits, sometimes they have to wait for days until a state trooper is available to accompa-ny their loads. While the process is often frustrat-ing, the compensation is well above average. Like most trucking segments, however, oversize Hauling oversize loads brings high revenue, but travel restrictions and the cost of permits, pilot vehicles and police escorts eat into the BY MAX KVIDERA Slow steady and Owning his blade trailer gives Chris Sheehan flexibil-ity to handle very long loads but requires a monthly payment in addi-tion to his truck payment.