10k GVWR local car hauler idea.

A single tire with a 3500-4000 lb load capacity would indeed be something like a 14 ply 17.5" truck tire. Much beefier than a typical load range E 10-ply 16/17" LT tire which require 4 of them on a DRW 1 ton to get up around 10k load capacity, each one only being good for around 2500 lbs. On a featherweight setup the 17.5" single on a aluminum wheel would be a weight saver and give the needed 7-8k rear axle capacity. Like I said I looked into doing this on my 1 ton DRW. Continental makes a 265/75 17.5" all position tire with a 4000 lb capacity but the wheel would have be custom made to get the specs right as nobody makes a wheel like that for the 1 DRW trucks.

 

If the power unit is below 10k gross the trailer might not even matter. Not 100% sure on that but I would double check and ask around on that. If you're thinking about a bumper-pull 1-car trailer you can hook to your Cascadia then this might be a way to get double duty out of it (the trailer).

 

Yes the trailer matters. The FMCSA looks at the gross vehicle weight rating, the gross combined weight rating or actual weight. If any of the 3 is over 10k then it is a commercial vehicle subject to their regulation.

 

We had a transporter who did pretty well at the dodge dealership running a Silverado 2500 and one car flatbed. I never saw numbers on his truck although I’m sure he had insurance

 

I used to see guys over in the NYC metro area especially over in Jersey off route 17 where all the auto dealers are hauling 1 car around on a trailer. In very large and congested metro areas like that there very likely is a market for single car delivery as nobody wants to deal with the traffic or tolls to move the car on the ground. However I doubt I'd want to be doing that all the time to make a living. Would get boring and obnoxious fast. That's kind of where I'm at with my local hauling gig I've been at for about a year and a half now.

 

Off your subject a bit

Originally, my plan for a non CDL car carrier was to build a e450 cab & chassis with a sleeper. They are lighter than trucks but have a similar weight rating as a f350 (the front axle rating was lower than a truck) Anyway I wanted to build one of those and run one of the ultralight lowboy wedges that take 3 was making.

 

A ramp truck is not really a new idea.

 

If you stay under 150 miles radius you have no eld requirements, under 54,000 gvw you have no 2299. Ny hut isn’t expensive. intrastate you have no irp or ifta. Even interstate, irp is based off weight and wouldn’t be excessive.

This is just an outsiders prospective. I don’t haul cars, but it seems like a lot of trouble for very little gain.