Escort vehicles for heavy loads – BF2, BF3 and more

Heavy transports pose a particular challenge in road traffic. As soon as the dimensions or weight of a transport exceed the legal limits, a conventional truck is no longer sufficient – additional safety measures become necessary. This is where escort vehicles for heavy loads come into play. Whether BF2, BF3 or even BF4: they ensure safety, smooth processes and coordinate the transport in accordance with legal requirements.

Heavy transport escort vehicle BF3: Why it is indispensable

A BF4 heavy goods transport escort vehicle is much more than just additional security. It plays a central role in directing traffic, securing bridges or bottlenecks and communicating with the police. A heavy-duty transport escort vehicle is a mandatory requirement, especially for large-volume and heavy goods such as wind turbines, construction cranes or industrial machinery. The advantages:

• Ensuring road safety for everyone involved;
• Precise coordination between the transport vehicle and the police;
• Avoidance of traffic jams, accidents and damage to infrastructure
• Ensuring that special permits are complied with.

BF2 escort vehicle – areas of use and equipment

It is frequently used for small to medium-sized special and heavy transports. It is usually equipped with a yellow rotating beacon and drives either in front of or behind the transport. Typical tasks of a BF2 escort vehicle:

• Securing transports on country roads or in built-up areas;
• Warning other road users with light signals;
• Supporting the driver in difficult traffic situations.

The equipment is kept rather simple, but fulfills all legal requirements. A special transport escort vehicle 2 is often used when no highly complex technology is required, but the transport still requires an additional safety vehicle.

BF3 vehicle – technology, requirements, special features

The BF3 escort vehicle is the technically advanced variant and is an indispensable escort vehicle for larger heavy transports. A BF3 vehicle has a variable message sign system (VMS) with which it can control and warn the traffic behind. Special features of a BF3 escort vehicle:

• Variable message sign system with dynamic displays;
• Used for transportation on freeways and main roads;
• Reinforced safety and communication equipment;
• direct cooperation with police escort

A BF3 heavy goods transport escort vehicle is prescribed above all when the dimensions or weight of the transport significantly exceed the standard values.

Differences between BF2 BF3 escort vehicles

The distinction between BF2 BF3 escort vehicles is of great importance in practice, as they have a decisive influence on the area of application and the safety of a transport:

• Technology. A BF2 escort vehicle 2 is equipped with basic warning technology such as rotating beacons. This technology is sufficient to make other road users aware of a special transport escort vehicle in good time.
• Area of use. While a BF2 escort vehicle is mainly used for smaller special transports in the region – such as construction site trips or the transportation of construction machinery – a BF3 escort vehicle is designed for large-volume and supra-regional transports.
• Safety level. The main advantage of a BF3 escort vehicle is the higher level of traffic control. Thanks to active communication via the WVZ, it can control the following traffic in a targeted manner and avoid dangerous situations.
• Personnel and training. There are also differences in the personnel deployed. Drivers of a BF3 escort vehicle must undergo special training in order to be able to operate the variable message signs correctly and comply with the legal requirements.
• Authorization requirement. The authorities prescribe the use of BF2 or BF3 depending on the transport dimensions and the route.

Heavy-duty escort vehicle BF4 and special transports

In addition to BF2 and BF3, there is also the BF4 heavy-duty escort vehicle, which is equipped with a particularly large and powerful variable message sign system. This is primarily required for extremely wide or long special transports.

A special transport heavy-duty escort vehicle 3 such as the BF4 can even close an entire lane or direct the traffic behind it. This ensures maximum safety – especially when transporting at night or driving through narrow urban areas.

Summer escort vehicles: use in practice

The seasonal aspect also plays a role. Summer escort vehicles are particularly in demand during the warmer months, as many major projects are carried out during this time: Wind turbines are erected, construction sites are intensified and machines are dispatched.

Experience shows that many logistical challenges would be impossible to overcome without escort vehicles. Companies therefore rely on specialized service providers who have modern BF2 and BF3 escort vehicles ready and take over the entire planning.

Whether BF2, BF3 vehicle or a special BF4 class vehicle – they are all indispensable when it comes to safety and efficiency in heavy goods transportation. A heavy goods transport escort vehicle ensures that goods weighing several tons reach their destination safely without unnecessarily endangering road traffic.

For freight forwarders, construction companies or energy suppliers, the following therefore applies: choosing the right heavy goods transport escort vehicle 3 is crucial for the success of any project.