Lessmore
Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 03/08/2011
View Profile
 Offline
|
I find the new show...Shipping Wars...very interesting. The dynamics of the people, the different loads they contract for, their adventures on the road and particularly the tow vehicles and trailers.
Tow vehicles range from a Kenworth Class 8 to and including pickups...4 door Ford, Chevy and Dodge (leased in last episode)...all 1 ton to 3/4 ton and diesel powered.
There is also one Chevy commercial van...not sure whether it is a 1/2 ton, 3/4 or 1 ton model. Think it maybe the lone gasser.
Trailers are tandem axle...fifth wheel, hitch mount and in the case of the Kenworth a large highway semi flat bed. Most are flatbed, one is a large enclosed trailer...another a stock trailer.
As they carry a varied load....I can see the advantage of flatbeds (height requirement are less of an issue)...but also the advantage of enclosed trailers...not subject to weather, etc.
Interesting show and for a guy like me, who once briefly considered getting into this business, once I retired....I can see that there is a lot more to the job than I once thought.
Question...if you were considering going into this business...what type of tow vehicle and trailer type would you select ?
|
Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
If I was going to start moving vehicles coast to coast, and everywhere in between, I think I would want a F-450 with a pickup body on it, even if highly modified to make it fit, because "Pickups" do not require stopping at the weight stations, like normal commercial vehicles. I might even go so far as to narrow the rear axle, so that the overall width is only as wide as the truck cab, even with dual rear tires, or go with some 5,500 pound rated super single rear tires to save both weight and width in the pickup bed.
I would also mount a headrack on the top, to carry one more small vehicle, in addition to the 3 vehicles on the trailer.
I might also consider a special trailer, with the ramps going up and over a large area, where one car can be parked on the lower level, right below the fifth wheel section. Basically unhitch the trailer, raise it about 3' and back a car under the fifth wheel area. Then hitch up again, and load three more cars on the ramp going up and over the other car's parking spot. Fold down ramps at the front to drive one more car onto the headrack if it is under 3,000 pounds.
If overall length is not a problem, I might even consider a pair of forks mounted to the back of the trailer, so the front tires of a front wheel drive car can be supported, and towed behind the other trailer. Much like the wheel lift tow trucks use to pick up a car's front tires and tow it in for repairs.
Something like this.
Fred.
* This post was
edited 01/31/12 09:23pm by Golden_HVAC *
|
johntank
Oxford, Ms 38655 USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/17/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I would use the truck I have, 2007 Dodge 3500 DRW and most likely a gooseneck flat bed trailer with about 20' deck and 5' dovetail.
|
bfast54
Traverse City ,Mi.
Senior Member
Joined: 12/24/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Golden_HVAC wrote:If I was going to start moving vehicles coast to coast, and everywhere in between, I think I would want a F-450 with a pickup body on it, even if highly modified to make it fit, because "Pickups" do not require stopping at the weight stations, like normal commercial vehicles. I might even go so far as to narrow the rear axle, so that the overall width is only as wide as the truck cab, even with dual rear tires, or go with some 5,500 pound rated super single rear tires to save both weight and width in the pickup bed.
I would also mount a headrack on the top, to carry one more small vehicle, in addition to the 3 vehicles on the trailer.
I might also consider a special trailer, with the ramps going up and over a large area, where one car can be parked on the lower level, right below the fifth wheel section. Basically unhitch the trailer, raise it about 3' and back a car under the fifth wheel area. Then hitch up again, and load three more cars on the ramp going up and over the other car's parking spot. Fold down ramps at the front to drive one more car onto the headrack if it is under 3,000 pounds.
If overall length is not a problem, I might even consider a pair of forks mounted to the back of the trailer, so the front tires of a front wheel drive car can be supported, and towed behind the other trailer. Much like the wheel lift tow trucks use to pick up a car's front tires and tow it in for repairs.
Something like this.
Fred.
WOW, Hate to burst your bubble..BUT, (esp in CA.)...........and every where else, if you haul for money...I.E. Contract, State to state, in state , ETC.... You HAVE to tag your vehicle "Commercial"
Which means You have to have a DOT Physical, Drivers card, insurance, Dot Number on, and on.
Did you see where the Van got stopped, and he had no plates on the trailer, and he had to sit.
Plus, you have to keep a log book, you are limited by hours driven.
This is a COMMERCIAL enterprise. Pickups ARE required to stop at weigh stations, when they are hauling commercial
I Haul Commercial.................I have to follow the D.O.T. Rules .
1994 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel,3500,Dually (Oh YEA  )
2000 Cardinal 27RK LX
Prodigy Brake Controller
Honda EU3000is Generator
Raytek IR Thermometer,Garmin 1300 Nav./GPS
Doran Pressure Pro
VU Qube Satelite
Rally's attended so far-16
My Blog
|
Perrysburg Dodgeboy
Perrysburg, Ohio USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/06/2003
View Profile
|
Bfast is 100% correct, every vehicle used for commerce must stop at weight stations, the driver must hold an appropriate CDL for the vehicle they are operating, carry a valid medical card if needed and meet the minimum Federal insurance requirements.
Don
Perrysburg Dodgeboy
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT Cummins HO
2005 Keystone Cougar 304 BHS
How many remember this?
Pics of stuff
|
|
|
The Mad Norsky
Yankton, South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 04/14/2003
View Profile
|
I have not watched yet, but have seen commercials for this program.
You've peaked my interest, I shall start watching for sure. Thanks!
The Mad Norsky, Doll, Logan, Korey & Rocky
2011 Ford F350 Power Stroke dually
RV'ing since 1991
We never know where we're going till we get there!
|
Bionic Man
Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 04/03/2009
View Profile
|
I've watched the show a couple of times. Parts are interesting, but I could live without the other drivers cheesy, canned comments.
I'm not really interested in getting into Hotshotting, but if I did I would go with a 2003-2004 Ram 3500 DRW. Find one with low miles, it would have plenty of power, reliability and get decent MPG.
2012 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW CC 4x4 Cummins HO, 60 gallon RDS aux fuel tank, Reese 18k Elite hitch
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 Cummins HO NV5600 with Smarty JR, Jacobs EB (sold)
2002 Gulf Stream Sea Hawk 29FRB with Honda EV6010
|
whisperide
Golden Spike area
Senior Member
Joined: 09/27/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
Lessmore wrote:Question...if you were considering going into this business...what type of tow vehicle and trailer type would you select ?
This isn't so far removed from what I do. Both my pickups are 3/4 ton, so no risk of problems from the DOT's 10K limit, trailer is a gooseneck flatbed above the tires, with a 16' deck, 3 axles that are not dually-style. Again, great for not getting hassled, adequate to haul most any farm tractor.
I still have my diesel pickup, but I'm replacing it with a dually that is old enough to comply with the DOT limitation, and this will get the diesel engine.
My newer pickup is the '06 GMC, it looks nice so it's easier to get jobs, but it's a gasser, not diesel. Still, I can use it as backup in case the diesel ever fails. Lately I've been hauling heavier loads into / out of the valley, so I've been needing the extra horsepower of my gasoline option. Gotta get a turbo for my diesel.
The secret to getting all the jobs is to ask a fair price. Everyone else is too greedy, I'm realistic. So I'm getting busier.
'06 GMC C2500HD RCLB gasser 4.10:1, 4L80E, custom camshaft
'84 Trans Am 6.2 diesel, 700R-4, custom Class-3 receiver
'69 F350 dually. GM 6.2 diesel, turbo, 700R-4, NP208 all pending.
|
whisperide
Golden Spike area
Senior Member
Joined: 09/27/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:Bfast is 100% correct, every vehicle used for commerce must stop at weight stations, the driver must hold an appropriate CDL for the vehicle they are operating, carry a valid medical card if needed and meet the minimum Federal insurance requirements.
Don
Fail.
DOT doesn't care so long as the truck is under 10K and the combined is under 26K.
It's not commercial if you do it as a non-profit LLC.
Do it this way, you also don't need any CDL.
|
Perrysburg Dodgeboy
Perrysburg, Ohio USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/06/2003
View Profile
|
whisperide wrote:Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:Bfast is 100% correct, every vehicle used for commerce must stop at weight stations, the driver must hold an appropriate CDL for the vehicle they are operating, carry a valid medical card if needed and meet the minimum Federal insurance requirements.
Don
Fail.
DOT doesn't care so long as the truck is under 10K and the combined is under 26K.
It's not commercial if you do it as a non-profit LLC.
Do it this way, you also don't need any CDL.
Do some research would you.
Classes of License:Commercial Driver's License Program (CDL/CDLIS)
The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:
Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Related Links
Disclaimer
I........- General applicability and definitions
(a) The rules in subchapter B of this chapter are applicable to all employers, employees, and commercial motor vehicles, which transport property or passengers in interstate commerce.
So go ahead and try and beat them at their game and tell us how it works out for you. Here is a hint, thousands in fine, possible jail time and possible forfeiture of your truck/vehicle.
Drive by an open weigh station hauling any of the above trailers loaded and most likely unloaded and the mean ole weight bear is going to have a nice long talk with you, even using a pick up truck.
I know a buddy was using a F-350 towing a three place car hauler. Had his dealer plates on both the truck and trailer. He was hauling his cars to the auction in Romulus, Mi. He drive by the weigh station just inside the Mich line and it cost him over $14,000 in fines tow/storage fees, and attorneys fees.
So again, go for it and let me know how it works out for you. Fail??? no you failed! 
Don
|
|
|
|
