Thinking About Getting Into Car Hauling W/ A Pickup

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by El Camino Man, Oct 30, 2014.

  1. El Camino Man

    El Camino Man Bobtail Member

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    Oct 30, 2014
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    Hey guys. Iv kicked around the idea of quitting my day job and going into hauling cars. Iv googled for 3 days and have more questions now than when I went into it! Id like to hear from some of you experienced folk who started out small and worked your way up. Ill give you the details of what my ideas are.

    I currently work split shifts at UPS; drive a truck during the day and work the sort in the evening for a total of (usually) 8 hours. Im technically not a "driver" so I don't make $30+ an hour like some of you are thinking right now. Id like to quit the driving portion and start my own business hauling cars. This means I would have to be home every night to work the UPS sort. This is so Ill have health insurance.

    I own a 7.3L Powerstroke Ford and bought a brand new 9990 GVWR car trailer last month. About a year ago I obtained my Class Bs. Iv got the license and Iv got the equipment. Now I need the details. From what Iv read, since I will be transporting materials that are not mine, I will need a DOT and all the stuff that goes with it. I will also need some good insurance, about $75,000 worth. After acquiring these two things, I should be able to legally start hauling some cars. Im not sure how much all this stuff will cost though.

    But is it worth it? My car trailer will only hold a single car and my truck is starting to rack up the miles. I would like to do the "bid" style like on uship.com (as an example. I hear theyre crap) that way I can choose how far I want to go. If plans work out, I can deliver a car, and bring one home, so Id have two deliveries per day. After doing this for some time, I can always upgrade my truck and equipment.

    Lots of stuff here. All info is appreciated!
     
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  3. SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    You'll need at least $100,000 cargo or the brokers won't even look at you, plus you're new so your insurance WILL be expensive.. Stay away from Uship unless you like working for free. If you think you'll get two deliveries a day in, that means you'll be doing short hauls, and unless someone is paying you $1.50 per mile, you'll be broke in weeks.
     
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  4. Dorsey

    Dorsey Medium Load Member

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    Stay at UPS! What happens when you have a delay and cant make it into work?? It will happen. Maybe start a local tow business with a rollback.
     
  5. mcnabbtransport

    mcnabbtransport Light Load Member

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    Get an electric winch and start hauling junk cars to the scrap yard. Advertise on Craigslist for junk cars and junk metal.
     
  6. LBZ

    LBZ Road Train Member

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    All paid working hours in addition to your car hauling business go against your hours of service.
     
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  7. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    I'm pretty sure you need an MC number and authority as a motor carrier
     
  8. DMAX66

    DMAX66 Light Load Member

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    You will not even be able to cover your expenses only being able to haul one car. I started with a three car trailer and that was difficult enough. Check out the site www.autoexpeditor.com. There is a ton of info on that forum regarding auto transport.
     
  9. SLANT6

    SLANT6 Road Train Member

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    I say go for it. No MC#'s, just hook up and go. Compliance is overrated.
     
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  10. mcnabbtransport

    mcnabbtransport Light Load Member

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    You could run a long time this way. Think of the money you will save.
     
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  11. SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    That's Ushi#...... He can go broke there.
     
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