Heavy Cargo Services
When your cargo exceeds standard weight, size, or complexity limits, it’s no longer a transport job—it’s a heavy cargo operation. At Riverside Towing, we specialize in heavy cargo handling and transportation across the Quad Cities, with certified teams and industry-specific equipment ready 24/7.
From industrial generators to 30,000-pound steel coils, we manage the recovery, lifting, relocation, and secure transport of freight that can’t be moved by conventional means. Whether you’re facing a transfer from a damaged trailer, a dockside relocation, or a breakdown on I-80 involving critical freight, we have the gear and expertise to get the job done safely and efficiently.
“Heavy cargo” refers to freight or machinery that exceeds standard size, weight, or handling limits—often requiring crane assistance, special rigging, or custom routing. At Riverside Towing, we typically define heavy cargo as any single load or object exceeding 15,000 to 20,000 pounds, or anything that presents non-standard balance, shape, or clearance issues.
Examples include:
- Steel and concrete construction materials
- Industrial machinery and plant equipment
- Windmill components (blades, towers, hubs)
- Generators, transformers, and HVAC units
- Agricultural tanks, sprayers, and grain carts
- Non-wheeled equipment and static freight
- Shipping containers with high-density loads
We do more than haul—we assess load dynamics, lift points, route hazards, and legal transport thresholds to ensure full compliance and cargo integrity from pickup to final placement.
Equipment We Deploy for Heavy Cargo Handling
We tailor every heavy cargo deployment based on load weight, type, terrain conditions, and legal transport requirements. Our operational decisions are grounded in both hands-on experience and regulatory expertise, ensuring safe movement without compromise. Our inventory is purpose-built for demanding field conditions and updated regularly to meet DOT and FMCSA standards.
Our equipment includes:
- 75-ton and 50-ton rotator cranes with 360° hydraulic articulation, ideal for vertical lifts, rollovers, and confined access extractions
- Lowboys, Landoll trailers, and extendable flatbeds capable of carrying over 80,000 lbs and optimized for long-frame industrial loads
- On-site recovery gear such as high-capacity forklifts, hydraulic dollies, skids, and engineered cribbing blocks for unstable or off-center cargo
- Rigging kits with certified slings, spreader bars, hooks, and lifting chains rated beyond 100,000 lbs for safe overhead work
- Load shift and restack systems used to realign displaced freight mid-transport or during cargo transfer without requiring full trailer reload
- Escort vehicles and DOT-certified flagging systems, supported by in-house routing and oversize permit acquisition for Iowa and Illinois
Every piece of equipment we dispatch is selected by a trained heavy recovery supervisor, ensuring that the gear matches the risk profile, clearance requirements, and securement needs of the job. We don’t overreach—we engineer every move for structural protection and regulatory compliance.
Certified Operators and Legal Compliance
At Riverside Towing, EEAT isn’t a guideline—it’s standard practice. We meet and exceed industry expectations for experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness in every aspect of our heavy cargo operation.
Our operators are:
- WreckMaster and TRAA certified, with proven field hours on rotators, lowboys, and heavy winch systems
- Fully trained in DOT cargo securement, OSHA worksite controls, and FMCSA oversize/overweight compliance
- Skilled in HAZMAT-adjacent protocols, including pressurized units, flammable cargo, and agricultural chemicals
- Insured and audit-ready with every job—we provide carriers with documented lift plans, route maps, time-stamped recovery photos, and signed chain-of-custody manifests when requested
We also manage all permit acquisition, county and state routing clearances, axle weight calculations, and bridge rating assessments in-house. Our compliance officer maintains direct communication with Iowa DOT, Illinois IDOT, and municipal road authorities to prevent legal setbacks or fines.
When you hire Riverside Towing, you’re getting more than a crane and a truck. You’re getting a credentialed response team with field-proven experience, specialized equipment, and the documentation practices to back every move we make.
24/7 Emergency Towing
Heavy Duty Towing
Heavy Cargo Services
Cargo Jobs We Handle Frequently in the Quad Cities
We’re not brokers. We’re the ones on the road, with the rotator cranes, trailers, and regulatory paperwork in hand—delivering results across the Quad Cities. Each job we take involves exacting technical work and collaboration with clients, municipalities, and emergency personnel.
Examples of recent cargo jobs:
- Steel Coil Restack in Bettendorf — After a sudden brake event caused a coil collapse in transit, our team deployed a rotator for vertical lifting and mid-load repositioning. The operation restored load integrity and allowed legal continuation of the haul.
- HVAC Rooftop Unit Transfer in Davenport — A damaged flatbed trailer jeopardized a multi-ton HVAC install. We completed a cross-transfer with precise boom control and timed coordination with crane operators and downtown traffic enforcement.
- Substation Transformer Relocation from Rock Island to Eldridge — The transformer exceeded standard width and axle ratings. Our team arranged permits, bridge load inspections, and pilot escort routing for a secure and uninterrupted delivery.
- Windmill Blade Oversight in Blue Grass — We assisted with staging, aligning, and load-securing a 60-meter turbine blade during its final mile. Precision and load balance were critical to prevent torsion or transport damage.
- I-74 Trailer Failure and Mid-Scene Cross Transfer — When a trailer bed failed mid-highway, we transferred the loaded freight to a secondary unit under live traffic management. This involved emergency rigging, flagging, and communication with law enforcement.
These are not just lifts and pulls. They are field-engineered recovery operations requiring training, foresight, and precision execution. Every scenario includes multi-party coordination, safety checks, and full compliance documentation.
Heavy Cargo Recovery Designed for Real People, Not Just Loads
Behind every job is someone counting on us to protect their reputation, delivery schedule, or public safety responsibility. We understand that when your cargo is down—your operations stop. And every hour counts.
That’s why we prioritize:
- Clear communication with dispatch and onsite teams
- Real-time updates so you’re never left guessing
- Accurate ETAs and honest assessments, even in difficult weather or rural locations
Whether you’re a driver, dispatcher, project engineer, or site supervisor, you need a team that solves problems, not causes delays. Riverside Towing is structured to do just that—bringing calm, clarity, and control to heavy cargo situations that can quickly spiral without the right people involved.
Need Heavy Cargo Services? Let’s Get It Moving.
From a single lift to a full cross-state transport, Riverside Towing is the trusted name in heavy cargo logistics for Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. When it’s too large, too heavy, or too critical for standard carriers, we’re the team to call.
- Serving: Davenport, Bettendorf, Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Eldridge, Blue Grass, and surrounding areas
- Available 24/7 for emergency cargo recovery and scheduled transport
- Call Now: (563) 449-2367
- Email: riversidetow@gmail.com
Precision matters. So does experience. Move your cargo with Riverside.
Our Fast Response Services Include:
At Riverside Towing, we offer a full spectrum of professional towing, transport, recovery, and roadside assistance services throughout Davenport, Bettendorf, Eldridge, Blue Grass, and the entire Quad Cities region. Our 24/7 dispatch team is always ready to deploy certified operators and specialized vehicles for fast, safe, and reliable service—no matter the weather or road conditions.
Heavy Duty Services
Heavy Wrecker Towing
Heavy Wrecker
Rotator Crane Service
Heavy Cargo Services
Medium Duty Services
Medium Duty Towing
Medium Duty Wrecker
Roadside Assistance
Tire Changes
Fuel Delivery
- Jump Starts
Towing Services
- 5th Wheel Trailer Towing
- Gooseneck Trailer Towing
- Trailer Towing & Swaps
- School Bus Towing
- Boat Towing
- Classes A, B, C RV Towing
Truck & Commercial Vehicle Towing
Dump Truck Towing
Box Truck Towing
Work Truck Towing
Motor Coach Towing
Rivian Truck Towing
Recovery Services
Winching
Up Righting
Mud Road Recovery
Ag Implement Recovery
- Sunken Trailer Lifting
Additional Services
Long Distance Towing
Transport Towing
Motorcycle Towing
Mobile Tire Change
- Battery Replacement
- Load Shifts and Restacks
- Semi Breakdown Assistance
Specialty Equipment Services
Decking & Undecking Services
Bunking & Unbunking
Equipment Storage
Other Specialty Services
Truck Decking
Trailer Stacking
Mud Extractions
Mobile Car Repair
Storage Solutions
Semi-Truck Storage
Tractor-Trailer Storage
Cargo Storage
Heavy Duty Towing: Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as heavy cargo?
Heavy cargo typically refers to freight exceeding 15,000 to 20,000 pounds or loads requiring non-standard handling due to weight, balance, size, or shape. This includes items like transformers, steel coils, wind turbine blades, and non-wheeled industrial equipment.
Do I need special permits for transporting heavy cargo?
Yes. Any cargo classified as oversize or overweight by state DOT standards requires permits. We handle all permit coordination, route reviews, and pilot vehicle arrangements for moves across Iowa, Illinois, and surrounding states.
Can you recover and reposition cargo from a damaged trailer?
Absolutely. We specialize in cargo extraction, load shifts, and trailer-to-trailer transfers following equipment failure, wrecks, or mechanical breakdowns. Our rotators and forklifts allow safe, efficient restacks under roadside or jobsite conditions.
How quickly can your team respond to a cargo emergency?
Our dispatch center operates 24/7. For urgent cargo needs, we can usually deploy within 30–60 minutes to most locations in the Quad Cities region. Travel times vary based on road conditions, access, and gear requirements.
What industries do you typically serve?
We work with freight companies, construction firms, wind energy contractors, ag equipment haulers, utility companies, and municipal/public works departments. Any business with non-standard freight or high-weight machinery can rely on us.
Is your team certified and insured?
Yes. All operators are WreckMaster or TRAA certified, trained in DOT/FMCSA/OSHA regulations, and fully insured. We also provide documentation including photos, reports, and logs for insurance and compliance.
What areas do you cover?
We serve all five core Quad Cities—Davenport, Bettendorf, Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline—plus surrounding towns like Eldridge, Blue Grass, LeClaire, and rural Eastern Iowa.
Long-distance and interstate jobs are also available upon request.