i just passed my class a cdl test today and i have achance to haul cars

Congratulations on obtaining your CDL.Keep it clean,that's your bread and butter.So how did you possibly get a car hauling job?Glad you did but I always thought they needed exp.I would say there's alot of difference between hauling cars and regular trls.You have to be extra careful when making turns and treat those cars like you own them.I use to haul exotic cars.

 

Hello all, and I thank the Original Poster for I was about to start a thread essentially echoing his remarks.


Regarding the 'tight' space to get in and out of cars, but ah.....uhm...I have what can be called a 'spherical' physique. I have an interview lined up for Monday for a car-hauler but now I am having reservations--I will have to telephone the owner and discuss this aspect.

The danger of cars passing by while parked on a busy street--I get that all the time when I ride my bike--just like you say: "How close can I get to the cyclist without hitting him..?". I see the guy that drop off the cars at the dealership down the street from me; it is a four lane state road that while busy it is a 30 mph just 300 feet from a stop-light intersection, so it is not the worst I belive.

Being clean I suppose can be a challenge especially right after greasing a fifth wheel or checking slack adjusters.

Damage claims are more likely I suppose.

Most else I read in this thread, like the weather and such, kinda pertains to all trucking, no? I suppose driving cars off the rack when the rack is all iced can be a thrill...

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My idea is/was this: I planned on hauling cars anyway after I obtained 6-12 months experience. I believe that one needs to not haul dry van in order to make better coin trucking, all else equal. However, step deck and flatbed seem to have 'dead winters' and tankers slosh around too much for me. Dumps I would do but no Dump-truck companies want and/or can insure a newbie.

I figured, after reading the ad for this car-hauling job I am applying for, why not just start now? The ad wanted 'minimum experience'. I told the owner I have less than that; then I pulled a 'Godfather' and 'made him an offer he couldn't refuse....'


I am efforting with all my might and waking hours to avoid, most of all, a 'bottom feeder' company, and secondly, an 'outlaw' company (running illegal hours and weights, etc).

I am not sure the LTL thing is what I want. Regardless, Old Dominion is not even printing applications until Mid-March in my area let alone allowing one to be filled out. Conway yawns when I show them my "T" endorsement. FedEx Ground only has 'team' positions available.

So ah car-haulin' Ise will go....hopefully.

 

First of all, Good Luck FiddleSticks. I mean that sincerly. Getting into car haul without experience, has, at least in the past, been tricky. That said, if you do get in the door, it is definatley easier to be less 'sperical' in personal dimensions. I have worked with large car haulers in the present and in the past, and they seem to make do. Even getting in and out of cargo units in the belly where posts on a high rack can be tricky even for a little guy. I'm average at about 185 lbs and there are some units I can't put in a belly possition because the doors won't open enough. Most of us lean out the window when driving or backing a unit on the rig. I know one guy that is so big that he can't even do that .... he has to pop out the mirrors and back that way. Somehow he gets it done, and even stacks some pretty ugly loads. Car haul has it's quiet moments as well, just like dumps, tanks, and flats. Jan to March is usually the quietest for most of us. Unloading on busy streets is just an occupational hazard in this bizz. I try to put out orange cones. Weirdly enough, four-wheelers don't have a problem swerving towards flesh and blood, but small rubber highway cones seem to scare them ..... usually. I tell the new guys: NEVER EVER turn your back to traffic. As far as grimy clothes go, try to stay clean for the cargo units. Keep a pair of dirty maint. coveralls for truck maint. and a pair of clean coveralls for moving your freight. If the clean coveralls get dirty, then just wear your work clothes. Damage claims ? Even the best of the best get the occasional ding now and then. Bad weather ? Picture this. You blew a hydrolic line and sprayed oil on some of your deck, then it rained a bit, then it froze. Your decks are now lethal work places. Imagine walking on those decks or backing a 1 ton 4x2 pick up up those decks. Not alot of fun. Part of the game thoo.

Again, Luck to ye.

 

Size isn't an issue unless you make it one. I am 6'5" 275. No problem. I knew a guy back in the 80's who was leased to Arco out of Port Newark, he was an easy 400 lbs and hauled imports.

As far a unloading on the street. It is a given. Hold your tiedown bar out a little. They will hit you but they wont risk a dent from the bar. I have unloaded on Queens Blvd. in Long Is. City during rush hour...the taxi cabs like to get close...give em a little pop with the bar.

 

Thank you for the Good Luck wishes and all the great insight you have provided.

My physical shape is un-athletic 6'1 250 lbs---basically a four inch shorter version of Chicago Bears Brian Urlacher but I do not have his muscles or chest, or arms, I do have a fat neck, and about as round. It is somewhat hypocritical that I am choosing not to drive flatbed because of what i just typed and because I am generally clumsy.

I am having second thoughts about car-hauling, but the reality is---is that I am losing my 'Recent Graduate' status more and more each day. I am going to be 'Super Fudged' if I don't land a job soon. I will be a CDL holder who has essentially no experience AND who is not a recent graduate. I am 'pot committed' to driving with my CDL because I have $2,400 clams tied up in said license.

I believe I read a thread on TTR that even car-hauling was starting to pay by-the-mile from percentage--is this true?

What premium do you believe a car-hauler should receive over a dry van hauler for the same miles? My hope is that it is significant. Reefers seem to have too much garbage to deal with even above and beyond daily trucking industry turmoil. Additionally, dry vans seem to be so numerous relative to the freight available for haul--hence, I fear many hours sitting at a truck-stop waiting on loads.


Thanks again for the kind worth and vast wisdom.