is carhauling 4me?

[KBalzuweit]

Also do the math many drivers I talk to say they spend 20 to 30 hours sitting at the dock. I spend at most 5 a week. That gives me a 15-25 hour advantage and that at 60mph is 900 to 1500 more miles I can do in the same time. So if you run 125k in a year and take my extra free time a week that means in the same hours worked I can run between 175 and 200k. Plus add in the weigh station time and the fact we can run faster mph legally in most states and you can see it is likely I actually work less hours than a semi driver that does 125k.

 

[Cliffman]

I'm thinking of hauling/hotshoting just part time. Like once a month on the weekends. Here's my questions.



1) What does DOT stand for?



2) What does CDL stand for? Commercial Drivers Licenses?



3) If I keep my total weight including truck, trailer and cargo (GCVWR) under 26,000 LBS will I need anything other than insurance and my class C driver’s licenses.



4) Will my insurance be lower if I'm part time and under 26K.



5) I live in California, where do I find the jobs going to joining states preferably Arizona hauling cars.

 

[Cliffman]

TTT

 

[dberry]

1) Department of Transportation

2) Yes, Commericial Drivers License

3) Not only do you have to stay under 26k, your trailer can't have a GVW over 10k. So I believe it is nearly impossible to make money and not have a class A CDL. For example a 10k trailer will weight 2,3,4k? so you could haul only one car and around here cars go for about $100 each. Not much profit! You really need a three car wedge to maximize profits, but they have 20-25k gvwr.

4) I'm sure it would not be cheaper, it is extremely difficult to make money hotshotting partime (if you are doing it all by the book- CDL, DOT #, and proper insurance) I have been looking at getting into this and have done some tractors but would like to fulltime, by the book!

5) not sure



Hope this helps and maybe someone else with more wisdom than myself will correct me or fill in my blanks!

 

[Cliffman]

Originally posted by dberry

around here cars go for about $100 each.

That's local I'm assuming.

 

[KBalzuweit]

Look into haulin RV's. 79-86 cents a mile and then you do not have to worry about buying a trailer and the weight of the trailer. RV's are exempt. Still have to do the log book and such. I would agree its hard to do it part time and make any money. Its even hard to do it full time and make money. I have been in the business and it has its good and bad, just like any other job.

 

[Cliffman]

Originally posted by dberry

your trailer can't have a GVW over 10k. For example a 10k trailer will weight 2,3,4k? so you could haul only one car

Is this a state law or is it federal.



Also, I don't quite understand the math. I your allowed a GCVWR of 26K and the truck wieghs in at 8K that leaves us with 18K of trailer and cargo. What am I missing?

 

[Peter Campbell]

I think the 10,000Lbs limit is a misread. GCWR no more than 26,000 or if above 26,000 with a trailer more than 10,000. It does seem there is a window for the 14 - 18 K trailers with less than 26,000. I used it that is why 12,000 and 14,000 pound trailers are popular. Dual tandem goosenecks with a 30,000 are automatically CDL. I am legal with a 3500 SRW 4. 1 HO with a 14K gooseneck 7500 empty 14,000 trailer =21,500 if I load up the pin and keep 14,000 on trailer tires I could go over on the axle weight rating or GCWR of the truck. 9900 + 14000 = 23,900 900# over the 23,000 rating. I am only moving things around loaclly between properties so the DOT will not really bother with me. I keep legal anyway.

 

[KBalzuweit]

I know in IL the law reads towing anything except an RV over 10,000 is class a CDL. Its is correct, last year a friend of mine got the ticket pulling his enclosed car trailer to a race. A pretty stupid law. A bunch of my friends have enclosed race trailers over that, so the way around was to carry a portable toliet and an air mattress in it and then register it as a recreational trailer. The funny thing is you can put a no experience retired older gentleman (no offense) in a new dually with a 20,000 pound fifth wheel camper, or even a 40000 pound bus conversion with air brakes and he can drive or tow and is legal because its an RV. Now thats stupid!!

 

[dberry]

In Ohio gross combined over 26001 lbs. or a trailer with a GVW over 10000 lbs. requires a class A CDL, and I imagine it is this way for every state.

 

[OTRPU]

Think you're right, every state I've been in anyway, and I've been in 49 of um. And Carl is right, I think everybody towing almost anything that needs brakes should at least have to exhibit proficency. After enough have been maimed or killed, they'll get around to revenuing off the RVers. Sad fact is it won't have anything to do with safety, just revenuing.



Cheers,

Steve J.