screw actuated car haulers?

I'm pretty sure Boydstun makes a open screw trailer, They are big bucks and from what I hear the first generation screw trailers do tend to jam up. Something about raising them to far up and there wasn't a stop to prevent it is what I was told by a very experienced car hauler.
I'm not sure if the newer one's do that anymore.
I'll stick to my 9178.

 

I just checked the Cottrell site, they also make a open screw trailer.

 

Boydstun and Cottrell both make open screw trailers. They have their pros and cons.

They weigh less than a cylinder trailer, so you can haul more. Some guys say they're faster, because the screws eliminate the need for pinning. The weight of the vehicle and the table can't overcome the mechanical advantage of the apex screw, so the screw won't turn and drop the table on its own. Wherever you leave it positioned, it will stay. There is less hydraulic hose and fittings overall, keeping weight down and creating fewer possible leaks and failures.

Most of the new models come with wheel straps instead of chains for securing. You can drop a table down to waist level and strap a car down, then run it up to the top if you like, eliminating the need to climb on the trailer, except for the headrack. This reduces injuries from slipping and falling, big companies like that. I've noticed some companies around here only strap the curb-side wheels, so a driver doesn't have to stand out in traffic. Several car manufacturers now require the 'soft-tie' straps, because it reduces transport damage. Toyota and Lexus are strictly 'soft-tie' now.

One other cool thing is they've eliminated the need to slip-plate. The screws and rollers are designed to be greased. All the parts are tucked away to the inside of the ironwork so the paint on the outside the truck and trailer doesn't get rubbed off, so that helps with overall appearance.

The cons are definitely cost, I think it adds about $50k to the price of a truck. They don't have stacking tables like the Boydstun 9178, so you're limited to 9 cars. You don't have the chains to pull cars down to height either. The screw motors turn really slow, so the decks don't move as fast.

 

I think they still have the chain holes, they just don't want them chained. I don't know how they secure them on the boats or the trains. I can't imagine they're gonna force those industries to switch to straps, but maybe?

I've heard stories of guys chaining cars and trucks down, and then moving the tables without paying attention and bending the frame, whoopsie.