3 car hauler questions...

How about a truck that costs less than half of those 2, gets close to the same fuel mileage(better when loaded heavy), can't be overloaded, has bad ### brakes that costs less to service and last 4 times as long, has a comfortable bed and plenty of room for fridge and microwave, and has the ability to pull a bigger trailer as your business grows?

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6757307

Just one example from a quick search, there are even better options out there.

 

Im starting my quest to becoming a drivers for a 3 car hauler. I already have my CDL. Here in California its a bit different from other states, but if you have the right means, you can certainly make money, and I mean a lot of money. I would do loads more in your area first, stay close to home. The trips I'll be making will be from Mira Loma, CA to San Diego, CA which is roughly about a 3 hours drive not counting traffic, so I'll be getting atleast 3 loads on average a day. Yea, their are risks involved and you gotta know what you need to get started, but don't let the negative comments get to you. Do some reserch before actually getting started. Talk to other guys with 3-car haulers, thats what I did. Good choice in truck, the Ram to me is way better than CM or Ford in my opinion, especially the nice Cummins Diesel.

 

So you have no experience in carhaul and just now have your cdl, yet you are giving advice and telling other newbies that they not only can make "A Lot" of money but they can stay close to home? And 3 loads a day with 3 hours drive each way? Right. Let us know how it goes.

 

Well yea. I work right now at a Union Pacific rail yard where we get new cars daily that come off of trains and these truckers come and pick them up. Only reason I'm leaving the place after 5 years and getting into the car hauling business is because I know what kind of money they can make and I'm friends with a lot of these truckers. I talk to guys at my work who have been doing it for 5-10 years and they tell me they either do close routes or across states and bring home on average $2,500 weekly. If they can do it anyone can. I know just as much as hauling cars as much as you all probably do.

 

$2500 bring home has a few different definitions. I'd make sure you have your story straight.

I am not trying to crap on your dreams or anything, but just so you have an idea of where I'm coming from, I have been in this business for coming up on 4 years now, and railyard work has been the cheap crap that is there if I absolutely have to resort to it if necessary. But in almost 4 years I have never once hauled out of the railyards, yet you come on here with near zero experience and are telling people that they can buy a dually and a 3 car and make "a ton of money". Get real man

 

What ramp do you work at? Mira Loma or Benicia?
Good luck with your new endeavor. Working out of a CA railyard you won't be doing much across states except Reno out of Benicia. Fresno out of Mira Loma is about as far north and Palm Springs to the east. Calexico/ElCentro traffic comes out of El Mirage.

 

The only time I hauled out of a rail yard is if something happened to go my way, most didn't pay enough to deal with. I got tired of the broker being picky with my, yet had haulers pulling out with their loads with no DOT numbers on the truck, after I called them out twice on it, I told them I wasn't wasting my time anymore.

 

I have been doing my research and this forum seems to have a lot of knowledgeable people.

I hope to pick some of your brains if possible.

I am a newbie looking to start out. I already have a 4 car wedge, brand new, but don't have a truck. (why i have the trailer and not a truck is a long story). I want to haul across state lines all up and down the east coast. I will be headquartered in Philadelphia. It seems to me that the best option for this type of trailer and this business would be for me to bite the bullet and just get a straight truck/semi and my CDL A. It sure seems like it would be a lot easier to get a dually and do what everyone else is trying to do but that doesnt seem to me like the right decision. I have experience driving 26ft non cdl box trucks with airbrakes but have never driven a Semi. How hard would it be for me to learn and get my CDL A? Would pennsylvania or new jersey be better? Does it make sense to buy a dually and only haul 3 cars to try to stay under the 26k limit? How much will I likely need to invest in a straight truck just to get started? Is it possible to get one for under 12k? Do I really need one with a sleeper? Cant I just stay at a motel? I can pretty much drive anything on wheels, a cessna 172 included. How long will it take me to get my CDL A. Truck driving school? Insurance differences between hauling with a dually vs semi? I want to be by the book 100% legal. I dont want any headaches and am willing to spend the time to do it right.

Thanks in advance for any replies and information.

Ed-

 

I'm interested in hauling as well. I'm looking for someone to partner with. I have a brand new truck and I'm ready to work. mcnairtravis76@gmail.com