HVAC transportation is a sought after service, no matter what season of the year it is. That’s because this equipment is useful in a variety of temperatures and weather conditions. We’ll show you how to facilitate safe shipping with good practices to ensure your units arrive safely at the final destination.
Key Takeaways:
Our guide on HVAC transportation will show you what tools you need to move your units.
There are different practices that shippers will have to follow when transporting HVAC systems. That said, practices will slightly vary based on the size of the units. Preparing shipments correctly will ensure that HVAC systems are well protected from damage caused by improper loading and unloading.
Outdoor HVAC systems are the ones most familiar to homeowners and landlords. These units can be found attached to the outside of homes, apartments, and many other buildings. An outdoor unit can be prepared to ship one of two ways:
Crates are an excellent form of protection from external threats. However, they can be expensive and increase the weight of the load. Pallets are a cheaper and reliable alternative to crating.
HVAC equipment will rest slightly above the ground when transported on a pallet. This prevents units from being damaged by water or other types of debris inside a trailer. Loading HVAC systems manually can be difficult without equipment because of how heavy they are. Using cranes, liftgates, or even boom lifts for larger palletized HVAC equipment will make loading and unloading easier and safer for the drivers and assembly team.
Regardless of whether HVAC equipment is palletized or crated, they should always travel within a cardboard box. A cardboard box provides a layer of protection from physical and cosmetic damage. There should also be plenty of packing material within the box so that units have some extra cushioning.
Packing materials can include:
These packing materials will act as an extra buffer between the equipment and any impacts that make contact with it while in transit.
Rooftop HVAC equipment is extremely large compared to units that are used for homes and apartments. They’re typically used for larger, commercial buildings. These units can’t be crated or palletized due to their extremely large size.
Preparations for rooftop HVAC units are quite minimal. These units are designed to be sturdy since they’re exposed to all kinds of weather and climate conditions while on a roof. Nonetheless, rooftop HVAC units will need to be handled carefully.
Since these units are too heavy for a forklift to pick up, crane services will be used for loading and unloading. Shippers of rooftop HVACs only need to make sure to make their equipment available for pickup. The crane service provider will be able to handle the rest.
There are many other logistical services that you can utilize when you need to ship HVAC equipment. With our network of over 22,000 licensed carriers, shippers can store their HVACs instead of delivering their goods directly to the final destination.
While this might not be possible for larger rooftop units, outdoor units can be stored within a 3PL warehouse. A 3PL can also give shippers the opportunity to utilize an inventory management system to accurately track where their unit is inside a facility.
Related: Shipping Appliances
When you require HVAC transportation services, USA Truckload has you covered. We have connections with oversized carriers that can transport your freight anywhere in the country.
We guarantee that your shipment of oversized freight will arrive on time and without damage. Fill out your quote or contact our team at (866) 353-7178 for more information.
R+L Global Logistics
315 NE 14th St., Ocala, FL 34470
