2 Car hauler question

Without experience you will go broke with a two car. You wont even average a buck a mile.

 

Find a big independent car dealer to work with. My dad passed away last year but before that he was retired and his neighbor owned a used car dealership with four locations. My dad and about half dozen other "retired" guys shuttled cars for them. They moved them between lots, to and from the auctions, deliver to customers, etc. I was amazed how much of this car moving that went on for this one dealer. They always need things moved. They had their own truck and trailer with a winch for loading disabled cars. People in cities a couple hours away would trade a non running clunker on something and they would haul it there and winch the other car on the trailer and bring it back. This wasn't a rare thing they were doing it several times a week.

I think if you got in with a dealer or two you could be as busy as you wanted to be.

 

What kind of money was your dad making? Was he using his truck or theirs? His authority or theirs?

 

Their truck, their trailer, their cars, under CDL. No idea what he was making. My dad worked a high paying management type job most his life and was retired. He didn't need the money he just liked traveling around, staying busy, and helping out his neighbor who owned the car lot.

 

I dont want to discourage the OP from trying. But as has been said,.. with out an inside angle and knowledge of the car hauling side of things,.. it doubtful you'll make much money.

With a 3 car, the first 2 cover fuel and expenses,.. the 3rd is your profit. If you can squeeze a 4th on,.. then amen.

Its a very very cut throat business. I did it for a year. I had a 4 car and subbed for Hansen & Adkins out of Orlando. Lost my hiney.

Also,.. depending which segment you get into,.. walking the rail lots and auction yards can be grueling while trying to walk around and find your vehicles.

Hurst

 

Good post.

 

I'd also like to add,.. (This is also negative,.. sorry) that with the ease it was to get into hot shot car hauling,.. so many flooded into this that where State Police normally looked the other way when a hot shot came by,.. they now routinely target hot shot trucks for inspections and to make sure insurance, licenses, paperwork etc are all current. Usually an easy score as most who got into it, failed to have everything needed or were crossing state lines with out authority etc.

Hurst

 

hurst is right. The market was basically flooded by every other guy that owned a half ton or bigger pick up. A lot didn't even get commercial insurance and this led to a big emphasis on targeting the segment for road side inspections.