Car Haul Update
Topic 25141 | Page 1
Happy to read about your success!
Happy to read about your success!
Thanks but as far as success goes, I would say I have learned a tiny fraction of what it takes to be a successful car hauler, but hey I'm here!
Happy to read about your success!
Thanks but as far as success goes, I would say I have learned a tiny fraction of what it takes to be a successful car hauler, but hey I'm here!
You know 100% more than me.
Just a few observations in my 8 months of driving solo and talking to friends of mine that have never driven a truck we all agree, the craziest *******s on the road are car haulers, tankers and livestock haulers. Be safe brother and be careful LOL
How does a driver get into the car hauling business? Did you have a lengthy training process? Do you actually have to drive the cars on and off the trailer yourself?
Funny this post is here today. Yesterday I watched a car hauler driving up to a dealership full of brand new Corvettes. They were all cover in pretty white material....Can only imagine how fun that is to take them off the trailer being so low to the ground already..... Glad to hear you are enjoying your work.
How does a driver get into the car hauling business? Did you have a lengthy training process? Do you actually have to drive the cars on and off the trailer yourself?
RD, don't do it! Don't change jobs again! Lol. I'm sure we've all driven behind a car hauler. I always watch the last car on the top ramp, especially if it's a rough road. They bounce around so much that I fully expect the car to come flying off at the next dip in the road. Then I back off so I will have ample room to stop when that happens. Those drivers must know their stuff about cargo securement.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I spoke to a hauler driver by me and he said their haulers are preloaded most of the time when they come in. They are assigned a truck based on their route make sure everything is strapped down and off they go.
I am impressed you are able to do it, car hauling and cattle are the 2 jobs I would never consider.
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Hey guys and gals! Just wanted to provide an update on my short experience in car haul thus far...
I'll start it out with this, its TOUGH work. You WILL make mistakes. One year experience behind the big wheel is NOT enough.
That said I love it! Call me crazy but I like hard work and the pay definitely helps ease the pain. I run regional with most of my runs loading and delivering in TN. I do get to choose my loads and I do set my appointments. I do choose when I start in the morning but I'm told that if you dont get going by 0800 or so, you can expect a call from the terminal manager asking when you're coming to work. That is no problem for me because I start around 0400. In my first year OTR I spent 5-6 weeks out and went home for 5-6 days. If I could get home for a 10 or 34 than I did. I've been home every day this week and last week, with weekends off except for loading Saturday morning by choice.
Car hauling is definitely not for everybody and I've had my days where I quit ten times in my head. When you roll into a tiny dealership with a 90' long transport and have to get somebody to move 10 cars so you can unload, it's frustrating! You may have a car you're not used to and go to drive it on and all you hear is a loud "crunch!" Yup that car was a lot lower than you thought and you should have got out and looked before you attempted to drive it on. When cars don't start, are locked, or missing completely and it already takes you 4 hours to load because you have no idea what you're doing and every hiccup is a monumental event and huge delay.
Get used to making sudden lane changes in heavy traffic to avoid trees, sometimes driving in the travel lane that is going the opposite direction! It's not that bad though because you'll visit the same dealers and you will absolutely be prepared to drive in the opposing lane of travel this time lol. You may also be 13'6" today and 14' tomorrow, just depends on what your hauling but you'd better know your height!
Well back to the update, I dont see myself doing anything else. I love the challenge. I love being home frequently and paid far more than I was OTR. I work my butt off but again, I enjoy the hard work and it gives me a truly satisfied feeling at the end of a long day. If anybody has any questions about car hauling or whatever just ask. As always, be safe out there and goodluck!
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.