As a new driver I have to teach myself to become a 10 car hauler

"You got to be careful"! My trainer spoke these words over and over and over. Boy was he right! Just remember that every action has a reaction. Constantly scan every side of the unit you are moving because when one side is going up the other side may be crushing the unit below it. If I were you I would spend several days with an experienced carhauler loading every possible way on this rig. This job is so much more complicated than I ever imagined it would be. Good luck because you are going to need it.

 

These are a few things I've learned since starting in this type of hauling a couple of years ago:

1. If you are moving POV's then get a good camera and take pictures or video of every single unit you load. People LOVE to claim auto hauler damage when you deliver, even damages which common sense would tell you couldn't possibly be caused by the rig. Those pics will eventually save your bacon.
2. If you're really new to this then learn to drive with two feet when you load/unload units. I use one foot on the brake and one on the gas; I keep the gas pressed slightly and control motion by the amount of brake applied. This is because placing those units on the carrier is literally a game of inches, so you have to be precise about moving the cars on the trailer. That lag between taking your foot off the gas and braking can cost you a few precious inches, even at very slow speeds.
3. Carry some baby wipes. One can get pretty dirty dealing with loading, strapping, and dealing with the rig, and it can be real easy to forget that when you jump into a customer's car and start putting your hands and arms on stuff and smudging up the interior.
4. I usually flip the driver's side floormats upside-down before I step in. If your yard's got a dirt/gravel surface like ours then it can be easy to track mud inside, especially after it rains.
5. Most dealerships prefer that you use straps and, sometimes, you'll run into cars with no way to attach chains on the frame. But, if you do run into a situation which calls for chains (and your trailer is equipped with them), then do be very careful about how you use those chains on the frame. Improperly chaining a vehicle can actually screw it up so you've got to be on your game about that.
6. Try not to load vehicles any closer than about 6 inches from each other, bumper-to-bumper. Despite that fact that you've got those cars strapped down rock-solid, there will be some lateral movement during the trip. Park these things too close together and you'll start seeing bumper damage when it's time to unload, even though they weren't touching when you loaded them.
7. I don't know about stingers but, on my trailer, I've gotten into the habit of carrying a couple of 2x4's. The problem with hauling POV's is that, sometimes, a vehicle might be modified outside of normal specs (like, for example, a lowered rice-burner about 2 inches off the ground). It would suck to scrape a bumper only because the customer modded the vehicle in such a way as to practically guarantee an "oops" moment, and those boards can give you that extra 1-2 inches you need to clear the ramps.
8. When you fold the mirrors on cars to load them you might want to be careful with some of the high-dollar models (like certain models of BMW or Mercedes); on some of those vehicles you have to use a button to bring them in electrically. If you try to fold them in manually (like on most other cars) then you run the risk of breaking that automatic mirror setup. I learned that one the hard way.
9. Depending on what you've got loaded (and how you've got it loaded) you may eventually have a loadout with a car or two hanging past the end of the trailer. Keep that in mind when you turn corners.
10. Once you have a car positioned on the trailer where you want it, apply the e-brake first before you shift to park. Remember, positioning cars on the carrier really is a game of inches; if you just put it in park then the "gear slop" inherent in any transmission will mean that the car will probably shift a couple of inches after you've taken your foot off the brake. A vehicle that was perfectly positioned is suddenly now too close/far by those few inches you thought you had. The e-brake help make sure that, when you finally got that car where it need it, it stays put.
11. If you load a vehicle with a manual transmission, obviously you won't have a "Park" gear. Once you get the vehicle position and shut down, shift it to reverse. Reverse has the most torque on a manual tranny and will hold the vehicle in place a lot stronger than any other gear on the car - even if the vehicle is slanted upwards. Kind of counterintuitive, I know; but it works.

That's all I can really think of for now. If you have any more questions, there are guys on this forum who are really good at this. Just remember that the only stupid question in the one you are too proud to ask.

 

Wow! Kind of sounds like y'all have been set up for failure. Having to learn with no guidance on a piece of equipment like that is going to be a rough start!! Best advice like was said above "take your time"! Cars can be replaced body parts cannot! Don't be afraid to ask questions of other drivers around you loading. Most drivers seem like they're stand offish (usually because they are concentrating on loading) but most won't mind telling you what they know. Good luck to you!!

 

And PIN THOSE DECKS!! As they get older they will pop hydraulic lines. I was in a rush with a spare piece of equipment. One of my friends was helping me load. He backed one in the belly and as soon as he stopped a hydraulic line burst and the look on his face as that loaded top deck crushed the roof of that car is a look I will never forget!! Not to mention the turning in my stomach!!

 

Quoted because this cannot be emphasized enough.

 

Congratulations on learning by yourself. When a carhauler tells me they haven't torn something up, I usually think to myself they are lying, but in this case I will say good job as you have accomplished what most of us haven't. As far as going to NYC, I know what I would say but some people like going there. That 9 unit load looks nice. Stay safe.

 

You can sure get some big loads on those trailers, that's for sure.

I also have zero desire to ever pull one again! LOL

As far as NYC? It had better pay real well! I don't think I'd want to do a POV into the city. I've done some in the surrounding far suburban areas (NJ,CT,MA), and even those were a pain. I can't imagine what a nightmare doing POV's in the five burroughs would be like.