10k GVWR local car hauler idea.

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by 24kHotshot, Dec 16, 2021.

  1. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    An Idea I had about a year ago that I have been researching is a single car hauler under 10k gvwr to run local NYC/Tri state area. This pretty much puts you under almost all trucking laws. No ELD, no UCR,IFTA,IRP or even weigh stations. Tell me if you think it won't work please.

    One day I came across this and thought why no one builds anything similar in the US:

    [​IMG]

    Someone in England built what I am thinking of:
    I researched all the chassis cab van manufacturers that might have a chassis light enough to build ramps on and stay under 10k gvwr. The best one I could find was a Ford T-350 RWD DRW 178" WB 9950 GVWR. Best info I can find on this chassis puts the curb weight at 4,649 (1469 LBS front, 3180 lbs rear).

    Is it possible to build a 16-18 foot all aluminum bed weighing 850 lbs and keeping the curb weight at 5500 lbs? ( can carry cars upto 4400 lbs)
    How long do you recon a T-350 will last running at 9950 lbs all day long? It would be a gas 3.5 engine.
    Apart from having a DOT and MC number what other FMCSA laws would it have to abide by?
     
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  3. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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  4. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    24k, I like how you think and admire you wanting to make sure you are running legal. I wish more hotshotters thought that way.

    Here's the deal, unless hauling haz-mat requiring a safety permit the FMCSA doesn't regulate vehicles under 10,000 GVWR. So, if you can keep your GVWR and actual weight at or under 10,000 pounds you don't legally need anything to operate that truck except $300,000 in public liability insurance if engaging in interstate commerce and your home state minimum liability requirements if only intrastate. Although the FMCSA doesn't directly regulate light trucks there is a minimum financial responsibility rule for under 10k.

    Now, that said, no one in their right mind is going to give you work or let you take work off the boards without proof of insurance and likely operaring authority, eventhough that specific rig would not require authority. Although if you have a customer base, think about final mile home delivery service for local dealers, then the sky is the limit.
     
  5. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    I would keep my authority and correct insurance. I have some direct customers but not enough to not use central for local work. I would have guessed authority was needed since I would have to be able to run interstate. NY-NJ-PA-CT

    I'm more worried about curb weight of the build and the longevity of a gas powered T350 under these conditions.
    850 lbs sounds like very little bit of metal and would the bed be able to hold 4400 lbs safely. I would need to find a top of the line aluminum welder to try this design.
     
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  6. Lite bug

    Lite bug Road Train Member

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    Now some of the guys running under 10,000 can get some type of insurance because I have seen C.H. Robertson dispatch loads for the Electrical Grid across several states. The guy lived in his Mercedes Van , I ask him about his numbers said he could not put all the numbers he ran for his van would be covered. I still don’t know what he was talking about but I am sure he as legit. By the way how is the fuel mileage with the new set up?
     
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  7. Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    I wonder what the specs are on those tires on that first one. Maybe it's a DRW axle and I just cant see it from that angle but I doubt a single LT tire wont be overloaded with a whole car sitting on the deck (plus the deck and the truck's empty rear. Maybe it's a 17.5" single. Those are usually 12 or 14 ply like 19.5's are and could safely handle that kind of weight on a single tire position. I actually thought about doing a "super single" setup on my DRW 1 ton to replace the 16" LT rubber, which would be neat in a lot of ways, but nobody even makes that wheel and the tires are very obscure.
     
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  8. Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    Wouldn't a sub 10k GVWR 3/4 ton pickup pulling a 1 car trailer accomplish the same thing as far as flying under the radar? I know, not as sexy as your mini-hauler idea but IDK if that truck would be up to the task of carrying a whole car around. Probably would be sucking wind in anything less than flat and lower speed local driving.
     
  9. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    I hit 12.3 mpg on flat roads at 65 mph when empty and 10.5 loaded. I sometimes run inside nyc in horrible stop and go traffic gets me about 7-8 mpg.
    Total average is between 9.5 and 10.5. I am looking into building a single car trailer to haul around in these slow times so I can take a third unit or 2 big units.

    Loving the truck itself though, couldn't be more comfortable. Need some light modifications to make the tow bed perfect though.
    Just put in a new android head unit, replaced all the speakers, got a small amp and a small sub. "Wall to wall" carpeting, new mattress. My espar heater will cook me alive if I leave it on for more than 30 mins. Need a bigger inverter and I'll be set.
     
  10. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    That sprinter is a "show truck" probably hauling a light sport car. The rear of the van is barely 2k when empty and those tires should be able to hold 3500-4000 lbs each.
    I put 19.5 16 ply wheels on my ram. Great specs but very rough ride even with air bags. Only OK under load
     
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  11. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    Sub 10k truck + a trailer will take you past 10k GVWR. My idea is cars no heavier than around 4200 lbs, I know it would suffer but if you can squeeze 3 years of work before you scrap it then it might be worth it.
     
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