Delivering With Precision

Among the services offered by Mangum’s are oversize/ overweight hauling and crane on-off support. Power equipment at the company includes this 2026 Peterbilt Model 567 tractor fitted with a Cummins ISX 15 engine, an 18-speed transmission and 20,000-pound steer, 46,000-pound tandem drive and 20,000-pound lift axles.

For Stewart Phillips, director of transport at Mangum’s, success in heavy haul transportation starts long before the truck begins moving. “Planning is the foundation of heavy haul transport operations,” he said. “Moving oversize and overweight freight requires a fundamentally different mindset. Every move has unique variables, and each must be thoroughly analyzed before the first mile is traveled to be able to eliminate unknowns and execute in a controlled, predictable way.”

With more than 50 years of experience and a growing fleet of specialized transport equipment, Mangum’s has built its reputation around managing these complexities. The company approaches every oversized shipment not simply as a trucking assignment, but as a carefully managed project designed to eliminate uncertainty and move loads safely and efficiently.

“The objective is to avoid surprises and keep the load moving on schedule,” Phillips said. “Heavy haul loads involve mission-critical assets connected to major infrastructure, industrial or energy projects where delays can be costly and have significant consequences.”

OS/OW Success

That philosophy addresses one of the biggest realities of oversize/overweight (OS/OW) transportation — that problems cannot readily be solved after the load is already on the road and even minor planning oversights can cause significant delays.

Bridge capacities, road and overhead clearances, escort requirements, route restrictions and varying state regulations all need to be addressed in advance, Phillips noted. “When a shipment exceeds standard size or weight limits, it requires more than conventional transportation,” he explained. “It becomes a coordinated effort involving permitting, route analysis, equipment selection and timing.”

Mangum’s follows a systematic workflow that guides each OS/OW transportation project from planning through delivery. The process includes reviewing cargo dimensions, weight and timing requirements; engineering the appropriate equipment and route; securing permits and escort services; loading and transporting the freight and coordinating delivery at the final destination.

Phillips describes the process as structured enough to keep projects predictable while remaining flexible enough to adapt when necessary. Transparency is also a priority, ensuring customers remain informed about shipment status throughout the move. “Oversize and overweight transport takes planning, the right equipment and a team that knows how to bring it all together,” he said.

Full Service

Mangum’s, operating from terminals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, provides nationwide OS/OW transportation services for industries that require specialized handling and regulatory expertise. Among the services offered are:

• Oversize and overweight hauling
• Roll-on/roll-off
• Crane-on/crane-off support
• Intrastate and interstate permitting
• Escort coordination, including flag cars, high-pole vehicles and police or highway patrol support
• Storage and staging
• Specialized rigging and packing solutions

The diversity of freight moved by Mangum’s reflects the broad range of industries it serves. The company regularly transports cranes and heavy construction equipment, steel structures and bridge components, industrial generators, transformers and data processing units, large tanks and pressure vessels. Additional specialized cargo includes industrial HVAC units, servers, agricultural equipment, large vehicles, aircraft and rail cars.

The Mangum’s fleet includes equipment from major manufacturers such as Fontaine, Trail King, XL Specialized, Landoll, Faymonville, Goldhofer, Diamond, Nelson, Transmaster and Kalyn Siebert. The company’s heavy haul inventory includes:

• RGN (Removable Gooseneck) trailers with deck heights as low as 12 inches and well lengths up to 33 feet
• Extendable RGNs with well lengths up to 60 feet
• Stepdecks as low as 32 inches
• Extendable stepdecks
• Flatbeds and extendable flatbeds
• Perimeter extendables
• Lowboys
• Dropside rail trailers
• Railroad equipment trailers
• Rear-steering trailers
• Four-axle and six-axle dollies

The company also operates hydraulic platform trailers, heavy-duty cranes and six-axle steerable dollies paired with six-axle beams for specialized hauling applications.

The newest addition to the Mangum’s fleet is a Goldhofer P12 Plus modular highway trailer with the ability to transport loads weighing up to 281,000 pounds when operating with all 12 axle lines. The steerable unit also features a 42-inch ride height capacity and an extended bottom-deck length of 96 feet.

“This trailer is designed for extraordinary heavy-haul applications,” Phillips said. “It raises the bar for what’s possible in heavy-duty transport because its multiple configuration possibilities, and optimized dead-weight-to-payload ratio, make it highly adaptable to a variety of OS/OW transportation assignments.”

A standout feature of the Goldhofer P12 Plus, according to Phiillips, is the trailer’s ride height, which provides flexibility when navigating complex sites, infrastructure restrictions, loading conditions and route challenges involving bridge clearances and uneven terrain. Additionally, the extended and adjustable bottom-deck adapts to a wide variety of cargo and the specific dimensions of individual shipments.

The Goldhofer P12 incorporates hydraulic steering and suspension systems and active automatic steering that simplifies reverse driving operations. “Those capabilities improve stability, maneuverability and control throughout the transport process,” Phillips related. “They are particularly valuable in urban environments and restricted work zones where every movement must be carefully managed.”

Strategic Advantage

Mangum’s views flexibility of equipment as a strategic advantage because it can support permitting, route planning, load distribution and transportation efficiency. Their ownership model also provides for direct control over scheduling, maintenance, safety standards and project execution.

“As an asset-based carrier, we never broker your shipment,” Phillips stated. “Our equipment and our people handle every haul.”

Mangum’s transportation resources are also supported by a substantial towing and recovery fleet. The company operates multiple rotators, including 50- and 75-ton models capable of lifting and repositioning heavy equipment, rollbacks and heavy-duty tow vehicles, such as 25- and 35-ton recovery units.

Project management from the earliest stages of transportation planning is a key part of Mangum’s approach to OS/OW hauls. The company also encourages customers to be involved with its team as early as possible to simplify planning, scheduling, permitting and logistics coordination.

“This approach is rooted in our decades of involvement in heavy haul transportation,” Phillips said. “Planning, communication, compliance and execution are key differentiators in rigorous project oversight from origin to destination, especially when shipments involve sensitive, expensive or mission-critical assets requiring secure handling.”

Looking Ahead

As infrastructure projects become larger and industrial equipment becomes more complex, heavy haul transportation continues to evolve. For Mangum’s, meeting those challenges requires a combination of experience, project management expertise, specialized equipment and continuous investment.

“Oversize and overweight loads move successfully when the fundamentals come together seamlessly,” Phillips said. “With careful planning, the right equipment and a team capable of coordinating every detail, we can continue to be a single-source provider for some of the industry’s most demanding transportation projects.”

Key Factors

For Mangum’s, successful OS/OW transport services depend on addressing several critical items:

Right Equipment — Heavy haul transportation requires far more than simply having trailers available. Equipment must be specifically configured to match the dimensions and weight characteristics of each load. Proper weight distribution is essential not only for compliance but also for safety, maneuverability and infrastructure protection throughout the route.

Phillips also noted that the difference lies in having the right configurations. For example, Mangum’s fleet includes multi-axle trailers, lowboys and extendable trailers designed to distribute weight properly while meeting regulatory requirements.

Permitting and Escorts — Permitting is one of the most time-consuming aspects of heavy haul transportation. Requirements vary from state to state, and escort vehicles, high-pole cars and law enforcement coordination may be required depending on the load.

Mangum’s manages permitting and escort coordination in-house, removing those administrative burdens from customers. According to Phillips, this approach helps prevent project slowdowns while ensuring compliance throughout the transport process.

Route Planning — Distance is just one factor when determining the best route for OS/OW loads. Detailed planning over an entire route helps prevent challenges that could otherwise emerge through a move.

Mangum’s, Phillips noted, evaluates corridor conditions, infrastructure limitations, traffic patterns and seasonal restrictions before selecting a transportation path.

Full Support — If a problem occurs during transit, teams available 24/7 to respond provide added support as an operational safety net.

A unique advantage for Mangum’s is the company’s ability to support transportation projects with its own towing, road service, maintenance and repair resources.

Consistent and Safe Execution — Heavy haul transportation leaves little room for improvisation. Rather than leaving outcomes to chance, it is important to follow established procedures designed to improve safety and predictability.

Mangum’s emphasizes disciplined execution through careful attention to load securement, axle distribution and escort coordination.