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Old 08-17-2006, 01:06 AM
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Default Car hualing???

I've noticed car hauling companies are offering big salaries. I was just wondering if any one has done it themselves. Is the work that much harder??
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Old 08-17-2006, 01:27 AM
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Yes and Yes.
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Old 08-17-2006, 01:31 AM
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I haven't hauled cars myself, but I was talking to a fellow that does. He said the first time he loaded up, they just gave him a list of vehicles and he had to figure out him self how to put them on. Some are longer than others, some have more of an over hang than others. He said it took him 8-1/2 hrs the first time. Like a lot of things, after a while you get the hang of it.
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Old 08-17-2006, 01:50 AM
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I am currently a car hauler and I can tell you there is alot of work invovled with the extra pay. But I have to day that it is worth it, and I would not want to do anything else at this current time.
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Old 08-18-2006, 06:43 AM
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I recently had the chance to talk to car hauler that was delivering to the Chrysler/Jeep dealer here in Reno. $70-100k per year is realistic once you get the hang of it.
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Old 08-18-2006, 12:18 PM
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Although you can make more hauling cars than most other aspects of the trucking industry, it is also more work. If you pickup at an auction, you will need to first locate all of your cars. You will then need to carefully inspect them for damage and note the paperwork, accordingly. You will then need to take them to your truck and stage them before loading. The average car hauler will probably have 9-10 vehicles on when fully loaded. There are some which can haul as many as 15 small vehicles. You rarely see those any more since there are so many SUV's. Some of these auctions are large and it can take a while to locate all of your vehicles. When you pickup at an auction, the dealer may have all of your load together, but most do not. In most cases, you will need to decide for yourself where you put each vehicle. The driver loads and unloads his own truck. When you first start out, it can be a bit harry driving up on top of a trailer or truck with it moving. The ramps will move when you drive on top of the truck. There are ways to load to best distribute your weight. The newer car haulers have ramps which can move weight forward or back which can move weight to some degree. Extra care needs to be taken because of damage. There isn't much room between where you pull and the inside of your trailer. Getting in and out of a vehicle can be a challenge, especially if you are not a small person. It is very easy to damage a vehicle. A scratch can cost you several hundred or even thousands of dollars. The driver is sometimes responsible for the deductible on insurance claims. When I hauled cars, I had a $2,500 deductible. You will need to secure your vehicles at each point with either a strap or chain. In other words, you will need to put 4 chains or straps on each vehicle. There are a few of the larger trucks or SUV's that I would add a couple of chains if they were on the rear top deck. You will need to put 40 chains on the average load. For comparison, most flat bedders will rarely use more than 10 chains or straps for an average load.

You will load in all types of weather. I have loaded cars at more than 40 below zero and higher than 105. Hauling cars is not for those who don't like to get dirty or work hard. It can take hours to load and properly secure a load. Some of the large car hauler companies such as Allied or Cassens are union and pay to load and unload cars as well as a mileage or percentage rate. Most of the independents pay percentage.

Anytime you get in to a more specialized area the pay tends to be better, but so are the responsibilities and work. I used to keep spare fittings with me to repair a blown hydraulic hose. You never know when one will blow and it is difficult to find someone to come out and make a repair. Without hydraulics, you cannot load or unload your truck unless you have one of those with the screw type lifts. Most are hydraulic. Most car haulers do more deadheading than other types of freight. Since you are usually paid percentage, with most companies, you won't be compensated for deadhead miles. The large union carriers may pay deadhead. It has been a while since I have spoken to any of them. I would say that the average pay for a good car hauler is around $75-80M. I have known of some who have topped $100M. Most companies want previous car hauling experience or at least driving experience. There are only a few companies who seem to be willing to train you to haul cars. It is easy to get hurt when you haul cars. It is more than 12' from the top of some car haulers to the ground. Fall and hit the wrong way and you could be paralyzed or dead. This is one type of trucking where you want to take your time.
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Old 08-18-2006, 04:28 PM
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For the last 3 years I have been installing Thermo Spas Hot tubs that can range in weight from 400-1400lbs in a two man crew using a big dolly, not a fork truck. We would work any where between 10-15hrs a day. So this car hauling business seem to rights up my alley. I'm not afraid to bust my ass, especially for 70-90grand a year. Can any tell me what the good car hauling companies out there are?? [/url][/i][/b]
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Old 08-18-2006, 06:46 PM
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On interesting thing I learned is that with heavier cars like Jaguars or Land Rovers you can only carry 5-6 before you are overweight. I always thought that car haulers were space limited rather than weight limited.
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Old 08-18-2006, 07:43 PM
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Most car haulers can haul about 7 SUV's without being over weight. Until then enlarged them and started filling the tanks we could haul 8. The DOT has gotten more strict with car haulers in recent years. They used to not be quite so tough on weight. As far as car hauling companies, there are several who would be good to work for, but it depends somewhat on where you live. Allied Systems, Cassens, Jack Cooper, are three of the larger union carriers. There are a number of smaller carrier's who may give you a chance to start once you gain 2-3 years driving experience. As far as I know, the three I mentioned require a minimum amount of driving experience as well as car hauling experience. Allied used to have a training program, which you had to pay for. There are others such as Reliable, who pull enclosed trailers. Some smaller carriers are Alpha Omega, Dino's, Northside, High Sierra. These are more regional. Champion, Fleetcar and Mabro are three others I can recall. I believe Champion and Fleetcar are still mostly owner operator companies. As I said, it depends on where you live and what you are looking for in a carrier.
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Old 08-18-2006, 10:53 PM
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You forgot the creme de creme GMAN-Reliable
Sammons used to be strictly flatbed hauling lumber-now they're in the car hauling business. I think they still haul lumber-not sure
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