When you go on a business trip with a overdimensional luggage to a country with meadows looking like a perfectly mowed lawn in front of a mansion. Where adherence to rules as precise as their watches is necessary.
So what dimensions can You have without the need of a permit for oversized transport?
A permit for oversize transport is usually necessary for the transport of loads that exceed the standard dimensions or weights specified by the road regulations of a given country.
In the case of Switzerland, an oversized transport permit is required in the following situations:
- When your width is greater than 2.55 m
- When your height is greater than 4m
- When the total weight exceeds 40t
- When the rear overhang is more than 5m
The last point is extremely important, because this is where the swiss precision shows its face. Before we get to the heart of the matter, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the basic terms that are necessary to understand the entire scheme.
Rear overhang – load overhang refers to the part of the load that protrudes beyond the loading surface of the vehicle. This is the distance from the rear end of the vehicle to the end of the load that extends beyond.
Turning point – it is the place where the pivot axis of the trailer is attached. This is the point around which the trailer can turn relative to the tractor or truck to which it is attached.
According to Art. 73 points V of the Road Traffic Code, the load on motor vehicles may protrude a maximum of 3.00 m forward, measured from the center of the steering mechanism, and a maximum of 5.00 m on motor vehicles and semi-trailers/trailers beyond the center of the rear axles of the vehicle or the turning point of the rear axles, if protrude beyond the loading area.
The following illustrations show the calculation of the allowed rear overhang relative to the pivot point location.
TWO-AXLE VEHICLES
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load in the absence of steering axles.
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load with one streering axle.
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load with two streering axles.
TREE-AXLE-VEHICLES
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load in the absence of steering axles.
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load with one streering axle.
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load with two streering axles.
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load with three streering axles.
4-AXLE VEHICLES
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load with two streering axles.
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load with three streering axles.
5m rear overhang – counted from the center of the turning point to the end of the load with four streering axles.
Legend
Steering axle
It is important to calculate the rear overhang carefully, taking into account the location of the steering point and the number of axles on the vehicle. Sticking to this rule will allow you to travel to Switzerland without the need for a overdimensional permit.
Marcin Malec
Marcin Kalinowski
