I used to operate a 1-ton dually tow truck in the Seattle area, and the specific requirements involved getting my CDL back in 1989. My question is am I better off operating as a tow company compared to running my 1-ton dually with 4 car trailer as a trucking company, just due to the fact I never had to keep a log book or be concerned about scale stops while driving a tow truck. This may seem a difficult question but I am sure someone here has ran into trying to minimize the red tape while beginning their own companies.

Thanks
Florida wheelin

That is something only you can answer. I can see advantages to both. I am not as familiar with the towing business as I am with the trucking side. You can make good money with a dually if you either have or can make some contacts. There is a potential for damage, but the main difference is that you will need to have motor carrier authority to run a dually. I have a good friend who runs a couple of dually's. He seems to do fairly well with them.

Just remember that if you run it as a wrecker, you need insurance that you wouldn't need as a trucking company. Certain things that only apply to towing like "on hook" as well as cargo (you would till need cargo either way.) We pay almost $200k a year for insurance (that's for 42 trucks from small auto-loaders, flatbeds to landolls and 50 ton wreckers.)

I can't say specificly about Florida, but from my experience with that setup you will have to stop at the scales and keep a logbook either way. The scales don't care if it's F.W. Towing or F.W. Trucking on the door if they decide to chase you down for not stopping. If you plan on running less than 100 mile radius the logbook is a different issue. As bacda said said there are different insurance issues as well, you might want to check with your insurance company to see wich way would be cheaper.

I know you didn't ask but I would seriously consider getting a bigger truck.

Good luck with it!

Are you sure a dually can handle a trailer loaded with four cars?

He'd probaby want an F-450 or F-550 powerstroke diesel, and make sure it's a standard-shift.

Guy I know finally got a single axle tractor to pull his trailer after blowing the rear on his F350 twice :shock:

So I take it its best to have a single axle tractor to tow cars then

There is no difference in a F450 or F550 except for bigger springs the engine and the trans are the same if it was me I would look into a single axle tractor.

I'm not sure about this but if you end up having a gross weight over 36,000lbs then you will kneed a CDL.