Dually w/3-4 wedge, Medium duty w/ 4-5 car or semi w/7-10? Please help

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by Nikki/, Mar 15, 2012.

  1. Nikki/

    Nikki/ Bobtail Member

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    Mar 15, 2012
    Greensboro, NC
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    Hello everyone!
    Now I'm gettin' into car hauling business, working on my own authority, CDL A ( jus got Comm permit - getting ready to pass road test), insurance ( quoted for 1000k /mo, is that normal w/ 5 yrs clean driving hist ?) and have a big question, What to buy?
    Ram 3500 dually w/ 3-4 car wedge, Medium duty truck with 4-5 car trailer, pete 5 car hauler or Class 8 truck with 7-10 cars. I understand, more cars - more responsibility. I would run to west coast and back on semi, or on east coast with 3-5 cars. Also i need help to decide, If i go with dually n 3-4 wedge, buy new truck or used? what kind of medium duty truck single axle would fit to pull 4-5 cars? And i'm thinking about freightliner with Detroit engine 450+ hp for 7 car or ...( Please help with trucks - & cheap or expensive ? )!!
    How much can i gross weekly on 3-4,4-5 and 7-10 avg?
    Thank you so much!
     
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  3. Pullin2

    Pullin2 Crusty Canuck

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    First off - Good luck. This is a big step. Sounds like you've doing your homework. If I was ever to go back to being a broker ( I've never been a car haul broker, only flats and freight ) and if I was going to be a car haul broker, and go with a wedge, or 4, 6, 8, or 10 car quick loader, then I'd buy a single axel medium duty tractor - not a dually. Here is a link for the F'Liner M2 106:

    http://www.freightlinertrucks.com/Trucks/Medium-Duty-Trucks/Recreational

    I have heard, that for what you're talking about doing, a meduim duty is better mechanicaly, for axel and gross weight considerations, for fuel economy, AND you can put a legal bunk on one (or you could). And I have heard MUCH better to re-sell faster then having 6 weeks worth of tire kickers for your old dually to be sold before you can put that down payment on a new tractor.

    Hope that helps.

    SL
     
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  4. Pullin2

    Pullin2 Crusty Canuck

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    Oh yeah - Welcome to the site.

    Keep us posted as to how you make out.

    SL
     
  5. Nikki/

    Nikki/ Bobtail Member

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    Mar 15, 2012
    Greensboro, NC
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    Thank you so much! i like an idea about Ft'er m2106, im looking on truckpaper used ones , and most of them have 180-210 hp, do you think is it enough to pull 4-5 cars? and mileage runs from 150k to 350k, is it a good mileage for those trucks? if somethin will happen with engine ( cat or mercedes) do you know how much approx will cost to rebuild/replace it? what avg mpg? Thank you for reply
     
  6. Nikki/

    Nikki/ Bobtail Member

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    Mar 15, 2012
    Greensboro, NC
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    What about internationals 4300?
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2012
  7. SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    180-210 hp is NOT enough HP to pull 4-5 cars, unless you want to take two weeks to go cross country. I'd do some more looking into this as auto transport rates SUCK right now.

    If your looking at a 4-5 car hauler, look into a class 8 single or tandem axle, that truck will last longer, have more power.
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2012
  8. Nikki/

    Nikki/ Bobtail Member

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    Mar 15, 2012
    Greensboro, NC
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    I don't have access to CentralDispatch yet. what avg rates from MA/NY/PA/MD to NC/SC/TN/GA per car and back? 500-800 mil radius. if you don't mind to check..Thanks
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2012
  9. smugglinggoods

    smugglinggoods Light Load Member

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    Jul 22, 2010
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    When I started trucking in 08' I started out hauling cars like you want to. I started with a dodge 3500 and quickly decided to upgrade to a bigger truck. I bought a used International 4700 low pro with a sleeper. Truck was awesome to drive and alot more comfortable. However the fuel mileage was worse then my dodge and hp was less. Had tons more torque for the hills but didnt make up for everything else. I then sold it and bought a Class 8 Peterbilt. I got as good as mileage and sometimes a little better then with the dodge truck and a much larger sleeper. Braking was never a issue.

    I would strongly reccommend buying a class 8 truck either a single rear axle or you can easily remove one axle. However I got good mileage with both. The larger trucks are very affordable to buy and for me the maintenance costs have been much lower then overall then any of the other trucks I have had. Also if you start out with a class 8 you can grow much easier as you wont have to upgrade a truck if you decide to upgrade to a larger trailer.
    I have 2 trailers now a enclosed 3 car and a 48' stepdeck. It has allowed me to stay much busier as i can haul more then just cars and trucks. Hope this helps some.
     
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  10. SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    I did a similar thing, I started out with a dually and moved up to a 2000 379 Pete, for the price I paid for it, you could of bought 2 Petes for what a new dually would cost. I'd never go back to a dually full time.
     
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  11. Nikki/

    Nikki/ Bobtail Member

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    Mar 15, 2012
    Greensboro, NC
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    Thank you, helped alot! what make model would you recommend from used class 8? HP, tranny, engine, mileage and price? wanna spend around 20-25 on truck plus trailer. is it possible to buy something reliable for this bucks? or better to buy something fresh?
     
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