Car Hauling under my own authority(???)

Hi James,

I started hauling cars 2 years ago. I had zero experience hauling cars and in trucking general and no one really to teach me a thing about it. I had a little bid of money then and I just wanted to start my own business. I knew that car hauling pays better then bumping docks and I like challenges, so I felt that that's the direction I want to go. Fast forward two years. I am still in business. Was it worth the hassle? No, not for me. If you don't know people in an industry, don't have good paying clients lined up and you are planning to build your business on Central Dispatch, then I say look elsewhere (perhaps ND, Bakken shale oil field trucking). There is freight, but rates are low. I think the average rate at CD is about 0.45 cents per mile per vehicle right now and that is just not going to cut it.
And if you will be using CD mostly, I say, go for 48 states, because you are going to pick out those better paying loads and you go where it takes you. Alternatively, you could work for a some car hauling company as owner operator in specific geographic area and don't be needing 48 states.
Personally, I think you are on a right path with going underneath you own authority, but insurance could be pain to get. Definitely look into that up front!
I recommend you buy the biggest trailer you are comfortable to pull. I listened others say same thing: go with the single axle and small trailer. I ended up with single axle day cab and 7 car ez-loader. I was looking for a truck for a long time. I wanted "that" low mileage nice truck only to sell it soon after. Reason was, that I was constantly over weight on that single drive axle with that 7 car. And at some point I realized that you cannot always stay in hotels/motels, you need a sleeper sooner or later.
Trailer was a right choice. Not so many moving ramps, fast and easy to load. Perfect for beginners. I am still using it, but planning to sell it this spring to get something bigger. More trailer space means more money to your bottom line.
Pros and cons? It's an interesting job, I like it. It's just that the rates are not there to make it a feasible business.
These are just my thoughts, I am sure the nice people here will respond with more feedback. By the way, this forum has wealth of great knowledge about topic.
Best of luck to you!

 

Also, auto transport insurance is EXPENSIVE, and to keep the costs down, your deductible will be higher, so if you do $2000 damage to a car you're getting paid $800 to move and your deductible is $2500, you're not going to make it very long. Long hauls aren't always the best either, some shorter hauls pay better per mile than long hauls, and be aware too, that you're going to do a lot of Door to Door hauling, meaning getting into tight areas.

 

I have been hauling cars for 5 years and just switched to flatbed, personal choice

cars can pay a lot but in the past I have had several good drivers not able to do cars. It's time consuming And if u don't start with a good amount of cash it can be a difficult run. But can be done
just be careful and check the cars over well and use caution loading. Watch the bumpers

in trucking. Usually the more work the driver does. The better the pay. Such as oversize. Flats. Cars. Etc. Vs local or box runs. Not always but usually

 

Im interested in becoming an o/o for car hauling too! Problem is, Im green...still in cdl school. What do you guys advise?

 

Do you really want advice? Here's some real advice. Get your CDL, then get some experience behind the wheel. Would you really go into business, any business without knowing how said business runs?

 

See, you really do not want a response. You want to be told what ever fairy tale is in your head. All he said was to finish getting your cdl. OK actual was to get your cdl, but seriously, that sets off a racist rant with you? Really?
You would be surprised at how many come on here with out a cdl nor any intention of ever getting one.

Additionally, you will only fail if you think you will be laughing at anyone with a couple weeks of school & 2 months on the road. If I were you, I would promptly be offering an apology & then later when you NEED advice from someone who has been in a truck longer than your trainer with a whole months worth of seniority, you have somewhere to go.

 

Here is one other thing that makes it helpful when you ask questions on here,,,,put where you live or atleast the state. I don't think you will have anyone on here stalking you.
It can help lean you in a direction and also when people go to answer you questions. The more info you provide makes it easier to provide you with information.