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3 car hauler vs 4 car hauler with 3500

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by gotz2ride, Mar 14, 2014.

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  1. Mar 14, 2014 #1
    gotz2ride

    gotz2ride Bobtail Member

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    0
    Mar 14, 2014
    0
    I have a Chevrolet 3500 and I am in the process of getting started in the business everyone is saying stay out of, car hauling. I have been looking and reading everything I can about trailers, be it 3, 4, or 5 car. I have seen people say 3 is a waste of time, but the 4 or 5 car ones are not quality products. I have been thinking a Big Tex 20ac (3 car wedge) seems good, and no major moving parts. Any thoughts on trailers and types will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
     
    gotz2ride, Mar 14, 2014
    gotz2ride, Mar 14, 2014
    #1
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  3. Mar 14, 2014 #2
    SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

    3,425
    3,179
    Apr 20, 2011
    Dahlonega, GA
    0
    4 smaller cars is the max you should put behind a 3500, guys pull them with 5, but, as far as I'm concerned it's too much weight and unsafe.

    Just make sure this is really what you want to do, everyone with a 3500, thinks they can buy a trailer and make a killing in this business, out of every 10 that start, 7 are gone within a year or so.
     
    SHO-TYME, Mar 14, 2014
    SHO-TYME, Mar 14, 2014
    #2
    truckon Thanks this.
  4. Mar 14, 2014 #3
    Rig Wrench

    Rig Wrench Medium Load Member

    398
    66
    Dec 24, 2010
    northeast
    0
    I would think a 4 car may be a bit much. I ran a 4 car with a single axle freightliner with a 410hp c12. It did a good job but it seems like a lot for a 1 ton. As far as quality, that all depends on how well it's built and/or maintained. The 4 car I ran had a wedge lift and worked real well. We did have to do some additional bracing in the middle of the trailer
     
    Rig Wrench, Mar 14, 2014
    Rig Wrench, Mar 14, 2014
    #3
  5. Mar 14, 2014 #4
    gotz2ride

    gotz2ride Bobtail Member

    13
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    Mar 14, 2014
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    I am still currently active duty, living in California and want to do maybe two trips a month while I am active duty to see if this is something I might do when I get out. Reference SHO-TYME I agree about 5 being to much, not to mention the trailers seem to be low quality. Rig, what 4 car did you have? And this is me finding out if its something I really want to do. I have a 36 ft enclosed i have used a couple of time for transporting cars and liked it. I think i might do a couple one car from Nor Cal to So Cal before i buy another trailer. Maybe this will help me see what the industry is like, before walking the palnk. What do you guys think about that.
     
    gotz2ride, Mar 14, 2014
    gotz2ride, Mar 14, 2014
    #4
  7. Mar 14, 2014 #5
    Rig Wrench

    Rig Wrench Medium Load Member

    398
    66
    Dec 24, 2010
    northeast
    0
    Not sure what brand it was. 3 pickups or 4 cars. Front part was a lift
     

    Attached Files:

    Rig Wrench, Mar 14, 2014
    Rig Wrench, Mar 14, 2014
    #5
  8. Mar 14, 2014 #6
    gotz2ride

    gotz2ride Bobtail Member

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    Mar 14, 2014
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    How was your tire life span with the 3 axel?
     
    gotz2ride, Mar 14, 2014
    gotz2ride, Mar 14, 2014
    #6
  9. Mar 14, 2014 #7
    Rig Wrench

    Rig Wrench Medium Load Member

    398
    66
    Dec 24, 2010
    northeast
    0
    Dunno. Was runnin standard trailer tires at first (10ply I believe) then switched to the heavy michelins in the pic. They been on 9-10 months I believe. Still in good shape. I'll ask the owner tomorrow
     
    Rig Wrench, Mar 14, 2014
    Rig Wrench, Mar 14, 2014
    #7
  10. Mar 15, 2014 #8
    Rig Wrench

    Rig Wrench Medium Load Member

    398
    66
    Dec 24, 2010
    northeast
    0
    Standard tires about 4 months
     
    Rig Wrench, Mar 15, 2014
    Rig Wrench, Mar 15, 2014
    #8
  11. Mar 15, 2014 #9
    gotz2ride

    gotz2ride Bobtail Member

    13
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    Mar 14, 2014
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    Thanks for the info
     
    gotz2ride, Mar 15, 2014
    gotz2ride, Mar 15, 2014
    #9
  12. Mar 15, 2014 #10
    SLANT6

    SLANT6 Road Train Member

    1,094
    1,376
    Dec 3, 2012
    The Nut House
    0
    I suggest you find a way to get training before you spend money on anything. If you go in blind you will get your ##### handed to you.
     
    SLANT6, Mar 15, 2014
    SLANT6, Mar 15, 2014
    #10
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