how do they transport monster trucks

They move monster trucks mostly by stripping them down a bit and hauling them inside big enclosed semitrailers, not by driving them on the road.

Quick Scoop

How do they transport monster trucks?

In most modern tours (like Monster Jam), teams follow a pretty standard routine:

1. Remove the giant tires
   • Show tires are about 66 inches tall and extremely wide and heavy, so they come off first to reduce bulk and height.
   • Each wheel/tire assembly can weigh several hundred pounds, so they’re handled with jacks, lifts, and small equipment rather than by hand.
2. Install tiny “transport tires”
   • With the big tires off, crews bolt on much smaller, skinny wheels just for loading and moving in and out of trailers.
   • On these little wheels, the truck looks weirdly tall and spindly, but it now fits into a standard-height trailer.
3. Load into a special semi trailer
   • The truck, now on transport tires, is driven slowly up ramps into a long, enclosed trailer pulled by a semi‑truck.
   • These trailers are set up specifically for monster trucks: reinforced floors, tie‑down points, and built‑in storage for parts and tools.
4. Pack the big tires and parts separately
   • The four big show tires usually travel stacked or on racks inside the same trailer, along with:
     • Spare parts (axles, suspension pieces, body panels)
     • Tools and equipment
     • Fluids and sometimes a small workshop area
   • Some operations can fit two monster trucks plus gear in one trailer by packing very efficiently.
5. Secure everything and hit the road
   • The truck’s chassis is chained or strapped down so it can’t move in transit, and the tires and parts are also secured.
   • The rig then travels like any other commercial truck, obeying weight, size, and route rules while going from show to show.
6. International and long-distance moves
   • For overseas events, monster trucks are often partially disassembled and loaded into shipping containers or onto cargo aircraft.
   • Teams send the truck, tires, tools, spare engines, and parts together so they can rebuild and maintain the truck on tour without relying on local suppliers.

A mini story-style example

After a Saturday night show, the crew rolls the monster truck back to the pit and immediately gets to work. They jack it up, buzz off the massive wheels, and swap on the skinny transport tires. The driver gently creeps it up a set of ramps into a 53‑foot enclosed trailer, where it’s chained down at each corner. The crew then stacks the giant tires along the front wall, slides in crates of spare parts and tools, and closes up the doors. By early morning, the semi is already on the highway, hauling that same monster truck hundreds of miles away, ready to be reassembled with its big tires for the next weekend’s show.

Why they don’t just drive them on the road

• They’re too wide and tall for normal lanes, bridges, and signs.
• The huge tires and soft suspension aren’t made for highway speeds or long distances.
• Fuel use is extreme, and they’d quickly wear out expensive parts.
• Road laws (lights, mirrors, emissions, etc.) generally don’t allow full-on show trucks to be driven like regular vehicles.

Quick FAQ

• Do monster trucks ever drive on public streets?
  Very rarely, and only in controlled, special situations (like short parades or promos), usually at very low speeds and with permits.

• How long does it take to load one?
  A well-practiced crew can swap tires, load the truck, and secure everything in roughly an hour or so, sometimes faster when they’re on tight tour schedules.

TL;DR: They remove the giant tires, bolt on small transport wheels, drive the truck into a specially equipped enclosed semitrailer, pack the big tires and parts around it, strap everything down, and haul it like normal freight between events.