Sorry I have not written in a few days but I have not been well, but seem to be on the mends.


This is one of the big rigs we encountered shortly after leaving the Guadalupe Mountain National Park. We were stopped by the local Sheriff and told that there were two units coming that were over 200ft long. Just sit tight until they passed as they took most of the road.

I would estimate that the units were probably 25ft wide and you can see how far they hang over the side. After the second unit came up behind this one I had a chance to talk with the tail escort and ask where they were going and he said California. I ask if they could take the interstate and he said no, they were to wide and to slow. I would estimate they were traveling at about 20 to 25 mph.

I have no idea how long it would take to get to California as they were in Texas and would have to cross New Mexico as well as Arizona to get to where they were going.

There is a fairly long grade up the mountain, maybe 3 or 4 miles long and maybe a 5% grade. On the other side is a shorter grade, maybe 2 or 4 miles long, but some at 7 and 8% grade. I would not be concerned about going up, but down would be another story.

As you can see in the photo there are 6 axles behind the load with 8 wheel on each axle, for a total of 48. The same on the front with a tri-axle tractor pulling the whole rig.

The load is cantilevered on top of the various units to spread the weight as you can only have so many thousand pounds on each axle. These axles are remotely controlled so they can turn to help the unit make a turn. They had a big intersection to turn in, but certainly not enough room for a rig this length.

One can only imagine the problems they will encounter on this trip to California. It would be an interesting trip to follow along and just watch what all it takes to complete this trip. What an adventure.