How hard is car hauling?

Asking the generic question "How hard is car hauling?" in a forum full of Carhaulers? Seriously?

"More top heavy than tankers?" You are comparing Apples to Oranges

"How do you get started?" Go get your CDL and about 5 years experience in the drivers seat, then think about being a real Carhauler. I mean with a real class 8 piece of equipment. Not a 1 ton p/u truck and a trailer.

 

Hi Jackfish47, Car hauling can be a pain. In theory, is sounds pretty good, drive 'em on, drive 'em off, but in reality, it's a lot of crawling around securing them in all kinds of weather, they may be in weird areas, alley's, behind 3 beaters that don't run, and they may not run themselves, delivering them could be a pain, as some go right to customers doors, making sure customer shows up, in all kinds of areas. In short, I think there's easier ways to make a living driving a truck. If you go dealer to dealer, or auction to auction, that's a different story. That, I think, would be OK.

 

It is a constant challenge. Took 3 years before I was comfortable doing it. Just finding cars at the auction can be a day long job. Some auctions are better than others. Took about 3 years to get comfortable with job. Top heavy, yes, but you also have a lot of weight 2 feet off the ground.

 

It is physically taxing. You will earn your money. One of the most challenging aspects is staging your load and learning how to load in order to be legal. Every load is different. On a 10 car rig you will need to secure your load with 4 chains or straps for each car. That is 40 chains or straps. It takes time. Whether it is 40 below, 120 in the shade, raining, sleeting or snowing, you will need to load. It is dangerous work crawling up and down on a carhauler. You can get hurt or killed in a heartbeat. All it takes is one careless moment and you are on your way to the hospital or morgue. I speak from experience. You must be on your toes at all times. The pay can be good, but you will earn every penny. Fully loaded trucks are a little top heavy, but you learn to work with it. Carhauling is one segment of this industry where customers are usually glad to see you. There may be a few carriers who will train you. They seem to be fewer of them than 20 years ago. One scratch on a vehicle can cost you most or all of your profit on a load. You cannot afford to get careless when hauling cars. Most of the better carriers who haul cars look for drivers who have several years driving experience. If this is something you want to pursue, then you need to begin by finding an otr driving job and do your best. Keep a clean mvr and low or no csa points.

 

Everyone thinks stingers are top-heavy, but they're not. The empty weight is carried low, and half your load is chest high or lower. In a reefer full of meat (a fairly low CG box load,) most of the 40k+ is above your shoulders. We may look ungainly, but you'd be sucking seat cushion if you tried to keep up on a mountain road. It's a combo of low CG and a much lower moment of inertia (less trailer induced forces) because of the way the trailer carries the weight of the load.

I was able to find this because someone just 'thanked' it the other day: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-out-in-car-hauling-business.html#post2304043

 

Man so many great responses. I don't see much else to add on, but I'll put this- the standard 53' box has 11' behind the rear axle. I've had 17' behind my rear axle, and my trailer is 41' KPRA. So yes it can be tougher to park the darn thing. Situational awareness is something you always MUST maintain. Sometimes I look like a drunk driver going down the street, driving and weaving in the middle of 2 lanes etc, but what some don't realize is that I'm threading a needle keeping clear of trees on both sides of a narrow 2 lane road. Sometimes ya just gotta hit the 4 ways, throw it in 2nd, and take your time.

 

I've been driving class a for 23yrs, just recently got into car hauling, been an O/O for 7 yrs, bed bugger, trade show division, did box van, flat bed.....

its Compleatly differant than any other type of driving work I've ever done....and love it (10 car, new cars only) I like that almost every load is never the same, you got to use your head a bit. Lots of obstacles from trees to curbs to....you name it

Not everyone is cut out for this type of work, can only speak about what I do, but if you DONT like to do much walking, this ain't for you

if you aren't super thorough from inspecting cars for damage to making sure your aprx 80 plus hooks aren't secure so they don't dangle onto a car and rub on that fender, hood...this ain't for you

if you aren't comfortable with walking and working on up to 3-4 in of platform at heights (depending on oh tall you are your head will be 15 ft up off ground....this may not be for you

and as someone else mentioned, you have to be on your game when doing this all the time, or you will get hurt and can easily end up in the hospital or worse

i got 18 stiches in my calf from just a "little misstep". Was behind the cab, went to ratchet down tire from vehicle in position 1, NOT, watching where I step, put my foot between the trucks frame and decking....caught a 3/4 in frame bolt in the calf

with all that, feel I'm with a really good company and really enjoy what I do

 

OUCH!!
I'll bet it was tough to get the bleeding stopped

 

yea, did bleed out a bit, screw it were all big boys n girls on here, here is a pic of wound.... I think it may serve to help those wanting to get into auto hauling ... That it ain't no joke if your not on your game