Car Transportation Business

[lancerplayer]

If you were going to start a car transportation business, what would be the most appropriate vehicle choice? I was thinking a larger, diesel, dually pick up truck. Also, some type of enclosed trailer that would safely transport one vehicle at a time.

The business would target higher end cars (sports cars, muscle cars, classic cars, etc.) that need customized transportation to the customers' desire within the lower 48 states in the US. This means cross country delivers could be required.

Any thoughts?

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: lancerplayer
If you were going to start a car transportation business, what would be the most appropriate vehicle choice? I was thinking a larger, diesel, dually pick up truck. Also, some type of enclosed trailer that would safely transport one vehicle at a time.

The business would target higher end cars (sports cars, muscle cars, classic cars, etc.) that need customized transportation to the customers' desire within the lower 48 states in the US. This means cross country delivers could be required.

Any thoughts?


A 3/4 ton diesel pickup should do fine. Not sure if you need a covered trailer or not.

But you would have to charge a premium for the one car pick up and drop off at customer specified time vs a truck hauling several vehicles.

But coast to coast (2500 miles each way) would take 200 gallons of diesel $800, plus 9 days @ $320/day, so you would have to charge $3500 for that trip. That assumes you dead haul back.

 

[Chris142]

more cars = more $$$ per trip. I looked into this a few years ago. I was looking at a freightliner and a trailer capable of 6-8 cars. since cars are pretty light you could get away with a 8 or 9 speed trans,only 400 hp and fast gears in the axles for better mpg. Being for hire requires that you have IFTA,go through scales,run a log book etc so you don't want to limit yourself to only 1 car at a time.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Constantly pulling i wouldnt settle for anything less than a 3500 class truck, depending on the trailer option and size weight thats what i would suggest as a starting point for a dedicated daily hauler.. if your talking hauling more than cars, than bigger may be needed..

Short story: Old friend of mine has a 3500 turbo diesel van. he pulls a 20 Foot inclosed with a show bucket inside.. this rig has under 100,000 on it. last summer he had the obove mentioned trailer and 6 crotch rockets inside at around 500 lbs each so around 3,000 lbs. with gear and travel equipment call it a even 4,000 lbs.. When crossing the Smokys running 55-65mph he blew his head gasket.

I know this is not standard, or a good reference, Its just a story.. and if i was looking at buying a 16-20 ft inclosed to haul other peoples toys across country constantly.. Id be buying a prepped & dedicated hauler thats set up to pull weight constantly.. two cents.

 

[Chris142]

oh and to add to my first post. A smaller truck doing this kind of work daily will have transmission,axle and other failures since it will be at its maximum load limit constantly. A big truck won't ever be near its maximum limit and will be loafing along easily. A big truck should reach 500 or 600k easily with few if any failures. A 1ton pickup will not.

 

[Chris142]

http://specializedautotransport.com/

 

[cptbarkey]

i briefly owned and flipped a 2008 dodge 2500 cummins tow truck with 197k. all you need to do is upgrade the shocks and you will be very close to a 3500 class truck.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
i briefly owned and flipped a 2008 dodge 2500 cummins tow truck with 197k. all you need to do is upgrade the shocks and you will be very close to a 3500 class truck.
I guarantee that there is more of a difference than shocks between a 2500 and 3500 truck.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Not usually. Offhand, for at least 6 years, the sum total of the difference between an F-250 and an F-350 SRW was the badge, the GVWR on the sticker, and the rear axle spring spacers on 4x4's. (2.5" versus 4") That's it. Everything else about the trucks was bolt-for-bolt identical! Springs, axles, brakes, drivetrain...everything!

Also note: for quite a while, Dodge and Ford did not build SRW "1 ton" trucks...for quite a few years, all Chevk C/K3500's and Ram 3500's were duallies. Basically, their 2500's were SRW 1-tons.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
oh and to add to my first post. A smaller truck doing this kind of work daily will have transmission,axle and other failures since it will be at its maximum load limit constantly. A big truck won't ever be near its maximum limit and will be loafing along easily. A big truck should reach 500 or 600k easily with few if any failures. A 1ton pickup will not.


Don't tell that to the thousands of hotshotters out there grossing 25-30,000lbs on dually pickups!

 

[Chris142]

I wonder how they get through scales grossing 30k in a pickup!imagine the fines if they caused an accident. no state is lenient when it comes to overloaded trucks.

 

[Jarlaxle]

They tag the truck for 30K and make sure they are not overweight on any axles...simple as that. The GVWR tag on the door has ZERO legal standing!

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
They tag the truck for 30K and make sure they are not overweight on any axles...simple as that. The GVWR tag on the door has ZERO legal standing!


So, I could technically register my Jeep as a 1 ton truck and then be void of all emissions testing and put a diesel in?

 

[01rangerxl]

I've never worked in this industry, but it seems like all of the "hot shot" haulers I see are 3 car trailers. That's probably what I would start with. Get an enclosed trailer once you're making money and have the clientele for it.

For a truck, I'd go for a lower mileage 7.3L F-350. There are still grandpa trucks out there with 60K on the odometer. You could do just as well with a Dodge or GM, but I like driving Super Duties.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
i briefly owned and flipped a 2008 dodge 2500 cummins tow truck with 197k. all you need to do is upgrade the shocks and you will be very close to a 3500 class truck.
I guarantee that there is more of a difference than shocks between a 2500 and 3500 truck.


If you look at a HD 2500 and 3500 the towing capacity is the same.

So maybe shocks and springs, but not much else.

 

[lancerplayer]

Thank you all for the input. This business idea is simply that at this point, an idea. You have all added points to think about. I'm going to look into this in the near future, so I'm sure I will be back to ask more questions. Thanks!!!

 

[SteveSRT8]

Just drove a Uhaul to Maine, about 1900 miles one way.

Better figure a LOT of fuel no matter what you buy. My ex's father hauled cars in a huge beaver tailed trailer for many years, and it's hard on parts!

You must be able to get premium prices today...