Wanna Be An Owner Operator-Car Hauler

got a member here who has his for sale....older frietliner and 9 car i think....bet you can even get it for a good price compared to the ones in truckpaper

find walleye

he can even tell ya the ins and outs

 

Fresh? Well---- The learning curve to be a carhauler is mighty steep, and mistakes are expensive. If you have good spacial IQ you'll be ok, but teaching yourself isn't really an option on a stinger. Any idiot can run a six-car, but you start stacking and if you don't have anyone showing you the ropes, you'd be doing a lot of unloading/reloading to get it right. Most non-union guys will answer questions about how to put it on the truck, if they have the same or similar equipment.

As far as getting in the business now, it's not the best time. We are still doing more stops than normal, and the volume in some segments is way down. We're all working harder, you know: working weekends, going places we never used to, some POV's to fill the load. Money to made, yes, but not the gravy it once was.

What kind of equipment really depends on what you're planning to do. Six and seven car high-mounts are great for short hauls as they load so quick. A ten car lets you haul more but your load time increases. A low side trailer loads quicker than a high-side, but the high-side is more versatile if you're doing multiple picks and drops and is more durable (less flex) as well. Any carhauler over 3-4 years old is going to start spending a lot of time in the shop. Metal fatigue starts to show and you'll be doing lots of minor welding. The hoses start to show their age around this time as well; splicing them is easy but they're a pain to get to sometimes.

As far as make/model, that too depends on what you're doing. If you're going to crossing a lot of scales, you don't want some 48k empty weight Pete. Big bunks are nice, but limit what can be loaded behind the cab. And remember as well that you won't be getting very good fuel mileage, as these things aren't the most aerodynamic critters around!

I know that's a lot of stuff to consider, but this a specialized business, and there are just so many more variables to consider compared to truckload freight. I hope this helps some...

 

Im gonna guess you have some type of experience in this line of work--or someone in it--helping etc--so going under that premise(and lord I hope I'm right!)check where you are planning to work from/with talk to the other O/O there--ask why they are using the equipment they are using and why--and then beside truckpaper--take a quick look on e-bay just for an example--there a few Pete's w/cottrell on sale there now--I'm not making any type of equipment recomendation to you--just a suggestion to somewhere else you can get an idea on pricing!

 

Sorry I missed your post, I'll reply later, no time now.

 

It has been quite a few years since I hauled cars, but I will give you my two cents.

I had Bankhead and Cottrell trailers. I had stinger and high mount trailers that could haul 10 or 11 cars. You should be able to do well hauling POV's with a 5 car and not have to spend any more money. Short hauls can be a lot of work if you run short. I had Peterbilt and Ford trucks. Pete is a little heavier, but many in the business prefer them. You could find a Freightliner for less money and save some on the weight. I never got more than 5 mpg with my Peterbilt.

There is a company in Alabama that rebuilds and sells carhaulers. They are in a small town near Boaz. They used to advertise in The Truckpaper. They do a good job of rebuilding them. There are some regional companies that build carhaulers, but from your post I assume that you are not wanting to buy new. A new stinger carhauler can run $250,000 or more. I would not worry too much about miles on the truck. I would check the condition. Miles in itself are not necessarily bad. Some trucks have been very well taken care of and even rebuilt. A stinger is a much different animal than you are accustomed. If I were to go into the business today, I might consider a 7 car high mount rather than a 10 car stinger. Still, most of my experience has been with 10 car rigs. I have a good friend who has hauled cars on 10 car rigs and he prefers his Dodge and hotshots. He burns half the fuel of a semi for running the same miles and the cost of entry can be much less with a wedge or 4 car trailer.

You will need to be much more careful with a stinger. It is very easy to damage a car on a stinger. Even a small scratch can cost $1,000 or more. Loading to keep from being over on axles or gross can be a bit of a challenge if you are not familiar with them. You may check with some of the carhauler carriers and see if they have any equipment for sale. Some will sell their equipment themselves rather than going through a dealer.

The more hoses and ramps the greater the likelihood of something breaking. Stingers have a lot of hoses. Carhaulers can develop stress fractures on ramps and frame. You need to check them over very carefully before you buy. You didn't mention whether you plan on leasing your equipment to a carrier or run under your own authority, but from your post it sounds like you will be running under your own authority. In any case, I suggest that you take your time. Keep an eye on The Truckpaper and talk to other carhaulers at the auctions. They could have a lead on someone who wants to get rid of their equipment.