Auto hauling rates and facts for the dreamers

.

 

I too started out in a dully years ago when rates were good, unlike what they are today. And even back then it only took me 4 months to realize that running around in a dully pulling a 3 car is never going to make a long term profit. I moved up to a single axle biz class freightliner with a 4 car single 20k# axle trailer. Surely a good step up, but even still, my capacity was limited and easily over axle weight, truck and or trailer. The inherent problem with these lesser capacity rigs is if you can't keep them fully loaded all the time ever time, you won't make a profit, period. People thinking that they're going to just "jump" into this business and kill the fatted calf are delusional and rarely will any of them listen to those with experience.

I am now in an 8 car rig and even with 8 car capacity, with the rates where they are today it's still difficult to turn the profit i want. And why someone in a 3 or 4 car rig would think they can when those of us in 7+ car rigs struggle is beyond my comprehension.

This business is NOT what it used to be and if I was starting from scratch today, I wouldn't. Just my opinion of course, and it's only worth the paper it's written on.

Good luck!

 

This is a wonderful post.

Now. I do have a loose end in my world when I review trucking in my life. We had a car hauler who mission is to get to Florida overnight from Maryland, sometimes faster than that. Leave out at dinner and be there sun up next day. And return for dinner within 24 hours.

I was recommended to the car hauler by a friend who had watched me deal with his trucks for years I was known as a steady eddie according to his words, even on the farm with that '55 dodge hauling round haybales which was pretty fun. Three on the tree and so on.

The owner of the car hauling fleet took me round the shop and then introduced me to the tractor trailer I would be assigned to haul cars. Just one little problem. Trailer was off at the moment going over bad hoses. I realized I knew absolutely NOTHING. not one blessed shred of facts about car hauling except go fast and be somewhere really early. And Im not supposed to know any more actual facts because it endangers my ability to remember where Im told to go down there in Fla.

Thinking back on it Im glad I never got involved in those days. Seeing that 150 mph speedo in that cab was something else. Not to mention god knows how many classic cars being sold to elderly people with prices going to the moon on barn finds. It comes out of your own pocket if you scratch one. Ive wondered who gives a blessed dam if there is a extra scratch on top of 50 years of scale and rust? Pay? Essentially more than I can spend each week so it really does not matter UNLESS Im found to have damaged a car with a scratch.

Your post is wonderful, it is much appreciated. But I think my own issues regarding damage, pay and so on might be worth a few questions on my part. I don't know if many people considering hauling cars are worried about money and damage. Considering what classic cars have become, it's better for them to be hauled in enclosed trailers purpose built for that work. BMW has that in their factories in the SE quite a bit.

 

After step 8 , what's the best way to get bookings or customers that will give you a chance with pulling their autos ?

 

Thank you for the information I really dislike ppl like that guy up above
Trying to bring someone down when all you're doing is trying to help

 

I laugh every time I see him post something. I think we found the car hauler sections douche

 

Hi,
What company you working for and what equipment you run?