Crazy car carrier phobia...

Over a million in value is cheap for some loads. And yes SOME auto haulers worry me. I understand bottom has to unload first! But set a few downstairs to go 200 miles to the next dealer. 20 to 25 k in weight that far up has to be top heavy. Just a example that I have noted.

 

Actually they only look top heavy. The center of gravity on a standard, stinger steered car hauler is very low. When loaded, they handle very well, even in the snow and bad weather. In high winds, most of the wind just goes thru the trailer unlike a dry van or reefer. When empty the center of gravity is so low that they handle more like a sports car than a truck. Be that as it may, it is still a truck and not a sports car and needs to be driven appropriately.

As far as loading just a few, as you put it, to go 200 miles, it is easier and faster to load them on top. Plus if they are on top you don't have to worry about loose chains falling on the cars and damaging them. I have had hundreds of loads with two or three vehicles on top, nothing on the bottom and have never felt like the load was too top heavy or unstable.

 

I was thinking of a few on the sides. Got a brother pulling cars and he thinks same way. 20 min to ajust the load . Thinking safety first. You can always play safe, but rolli.g dice you will one day roll snake eyes.

 

If you asked 20 car haulers how to load a truck you would get 20 different answers. There are many right ways to load a truck and many wrong was too. Every truck is different and so every truck has to be loaded different. It is very rare that I see a car hauler on it's side but I see other types of trucks rolled over more often than not. A lot goes into having a well loaded and safe truck and more than half of it has to do with the driver. A bad driver is a bad driver no matter what industry they are in.

If your brother loads his truck a certain way and it works for him, that's great. The goal it to get the cars to their destination without damages to the cars, the truck and other drivers. As long as that is done they can be loaded any way a person wants to load them. What may appear unsafe or strange to someone who has never hauled cars before may make perfect sense to a car hauler. I have seen some pretty strange ways of loading a car hauler but if it works for them then that's fine. Some car haulers in my opinion "over think the load" and work harder than they have to. The K.I.S.S method usually works best, keep it simple stupid. For example, driving a vehicle on the truck is easier than backing it on. So if you don't have to back it on then why do it? Your just making it harder on yourself than it needs to be. Why stack your cars if you can flat load?

When I see a flatbed or an oversized load going down the road, I usually assume that he or she is a professional and knows how to load and haul their loads safely. I would never tell them they loaded it wrong because my experience with that part of the industry is very limited. Most car haulers are professionals and know what they are doing. I don't even offer advice to another car hauler unless they ask me for it.

If anyone has a question about how or why car haulers load the way we do I am more than happy to explain as best I can in layman's terms so others can understand. As any car hauler will tell you this job is a lot more complicated than it looks and 90% of is mental not physical.

By the way, I do sometimes load one or two units in the belly, or "bottom" of the trailer to keep the center of gravity low but if the truck is driven safely then there is not going to be a problem no matter how you load it. And safety is always my top priority.

 

Good posts, Bro. I actually came from decks and over-size, to the wonderfull world of car haul.

SL

 

Thanks speedloader....

I'm just trying to educate the masses. Most people don't really understand what car haulers like you and I go through to do our jobs.

 

One of the Car Carriers Passed me a few weeks ago.The Spot on top of his Cab was taken by a Wrecked Car facing backwards.The Drivers Side Door opened up and was being pushed open by the Wind.He figured it out a short time later and stopped.

 

. You your self said you would rearrange your load, so you proved my point. Because it is safer.! I have confidence in my and your ability! Its the bone headed move some other jerk may pull. A sudden emergency lane change with 5 or 6 cars up top with a empty lower deck may not end well

 

No different than a van trailer with a high centered load.



But as konakongs said, i don't see many car haulers laid over.

I really confuse people when I'm standing outside my trailer and a car comes rolling out with no one in it.........

 

LMFAO .................