Best Car Hauling Truck/Trailer for Coast-to-Coast?

Don't forget their is a huge difference in bounce between new cars (shocks) and used when strapping. New cars barely move, used with bad shocks can do quite a boogie.

 

Boydstun 7/8 Stacker

 

It all depends on what you are looking for. If you are expecting to live in your truck and want a condo sleeper then get a 9 car Cottrell. This type of car trailer can be hauled by any tractor with a standard highmount fifth wheel. A 9 or 10 car Boydstun or Cottrell will be fine but you will loose the ability to stand up in your sleeper. Most car haulers would rather make more money by putting another car over the cab than have a really big sleeper. If you are looking for a real recomendation you will have to give us more information about what it is you intend on hauling, where you will be hauling and what your experience is in car hauling. I have 15 years experience as both a O/O and company driver and am also a trainer for new car haulers and would be happy to give you any information that you are looking for.

 

Hi KonaKongs. I have loads of questions about being ay car hauler. I consider my self still a newbie approaching three years of driving, a NTTS(National Tractor-Trailer School Graduate), plus a veteran, a former I.T. person of the downsize, rightsize, consolidation, then closing of the company. Most of this(G.T.E) went South to Florida and Texas. The first two years and two month doing OTR with FedEx pulling doubles. Then briefly Inter-modal with J.B. Hunt until management decided that the rail yard that we worked out of in Upstate New York(Syracuse, specifically Fremont, N.Y.), wasn't producing the monetary numbers they wanted to see, so they got rid of the last five of us, we were the last hired. They offered transfers to Harrisburg, PA., which is approx. three hours away one way. I've already grown roots here in Syracuse, Upstate New York. One driver told me they were looking for car haulers in the North East, particularly in the Long Island area. I apologize for the length.

Making it short, I'm going into my mid sixties, in pretty good health(knock on wood), trying to do a catch up, if at all possible. Trying to make decent/big money in a short amount of time. Retirement is gradually trying to grab me in the rump. I can see right now I'll be working past retirement age, no way around it. I think I got another good 10 to 15 years of working, God willing. I don't want to go back to busting hump for pennies on the dollar. I would like to go back to school, but once again, it's the money thing and now thee age/time factor. I had to file bankruptcy about 9 years ago, and just about everything I owned disappeared, as did the majority of the jobs here in central New York.

I don't mine working, I've been bitten by the road bug, I enjoy driving. I've taken a little time off to reassess my priorities, plus the Mrs. had some medical issues to be addressed, with no health insurance, which just recently kicked in. Now my mind is getting at ease. Making 100 thousand plus a year would be a god send, and having somewhat normal hours, good company, equipment, benefits, and home time. Your help, suggestions, insights into the future based on YOUR real life experiences would be GREATLY appreciated. I can be reached at starkiss_13205@yahoo.com. Ph#315-876-6960.

Thanks very much for hearing me out. I do have voice-mail. Sincerely yours, Bernard.

 

Hello Bernard.

I got your information written down and will call you when I get a chance today. For the information your looking for it would be easier and faster over the phone.

I have noticed that there are quite a few drivers looking to get into car hauling and while the information on here is mostly spot on I haven't found any post that gives a real good complete picture of what car hauling is about.
After I call you I will write up a more comprehensive post for others to read. You might bring up some points that I would miss just because it has been so long since I was a rookie car hauler.

It would probably be good to start it as a new topic post so other experienced car haulers could add any information I might miss.

 

You gotta go with 10 car hauler specially if you hauling coast-to-coast. I have cottrell 9 car hauler with 2005 Volvo VN670, Cummins 450 hspw.
I'm hauling Florida to Los angeles. I barely putting 4 suv and 3 sedans on my trailer. Even factory information sheet shows 9 cars it means you able to
haul 9 small unit such as Toyota Corolla. When it comes to SUV, its different story.