ANOTHER Shipping-A-Car Thread
 

Would like your feedback whether + or -.

For the past couple of months I have been contemplating the thought of trying my hand at transporting. I bought a trailer to move my cars and other than the occasional "favor", it sits idle until I need it. Seeing crazycarls thread, and Vinces comments about having to ship and pickup cars make me believe this is possible. Nothing big time, mainly California delivery with Oregon, Washington & Nevada deliveries being a possibility. Transports such as the ones mentioned to Vegas, and the pickup in Oregon seem doable for a weekend to earn some extra money while seeing if this can materialize into more than a weekend gig.

I am looking into obtaining my Motor Carriers Permit and insurance. However, with the exception of not having either at the moment, would you consider this if you needed to have a vehicle transported and the rates were competitive?

I know there are A LOT of factors that come into play doing this and am wondering what some of you think.

Hey Jose,

The issue is going to be fuel.

I do transports occasionally but it as to be worth it. Not anymore due to time loss in the shop.
Careful planning to be sure the trailer has a load both ways is key to being successful.

I got a quote for $450 LA to SF and I can't compete with that.

That is a hard price to beat considering the cost of fuel. I think starting local and working my way out could possibly work for me. Its not something I can take on full time because I already have a job for that but to help out some members and do an occasional transport here and there couldn't hurt. Who knows, the spark might turn into a flame after awhile.

That's the problem Jose --- you can't haul one way - nobody will pay the fee for the costs of two ways for you and your rig - to get a car one way. It's a very competitive business... and your insurance alone might be enough to break the deal.

People want to ship there car ASAP -- and have it somewhere on a particular date --- so then how do you find a car that's ready on the date your in the area = and that needs to be shipped where you're returning to (or near).


Usually I'm very positive when someone wants to start a business -- but I don't see this one as being a money maker.


I have a buddy that drives cars for a living - on a part time basis - he's retired anyway -- and he drives for a company that supplies drivers to move cars from various magazine reviewers. Typically he picks up a car at point A -- takes it to point B - picks up a car from point B and returns it to "the terminal". These are mostly one day round trips... and he's simply driving one of the cars. The key is he gets to drive some pretty cool cars.

I too am seriously considering getting into the transport business after I retire in 3 1/2 years.
A few months ago, after selling a sick CJ on Ebay, I met the transport guy when he came by to pick it up. He happens to live in the B'ham area and only takes South East jobs (GA, MS, AL, TN, north FL).
He is a LLC, has a 2 car trailer, but was considering a 3 car (which would put him under DOT regs, where you have to log mileage from state line to state line, and purchase fuel in each state, and be subject to drive time limits, etc). Anyway, he says he clears $1200+ a week. Skeptical, I did the math and it is very doable.
He is a member of 4 different sites that advertise transport jobs. He did not mention bidding for jobs. What I gathered was that he queried the sites, picked the jobs he wanted, and took off. He said he was spending $100-150/day in diesel with a Chevy Duramax, shortbed, crewcab, gooseneck, SRW. He packed meals in a cooler to cut costs and stayed in cheap hotels.
For instance: if you have a pick up in Savannah GA, that is going to Nashville TN, you pick it up and then grab another car in Asheville NC on the way. The Ashville car is going to Memphis TN. So, 24 hours and 1450 miles later, you are back home from a big circle trip.
Costs: Fuel $450, hotel/food $150
Breakdown: B'ham/Savannah, 395 miles @ 6hrs
Savannah/Asheville, 310 miles @ 5 hrs
Asheville/Nashville, 294 miles @ 4.75 hrs
Nashville/Memphis, 212 miles @ 3.25 hrs
Memphis/B'ham, 232 miles @ 4 hrs
Gross Pay: Savannah/Nashville job = $495 for 495 miles @$1/mile
Asheville/Memphis job = $505 for same
Net Pay (less expenses): $400. This breaks down to $18/driving hour

So, yes it can be worth it if you plan correctly. Taking a single pick up and then dead-heading home doesn't make you money. 4-5 pick ups a week can make you pretty good money, ie; $1200+. Mileage deduction is $0.51/mile IIRC, plus other write offs. Insurance, bonding (if required), initial vehicle purchase ($15k-50k), trailer ($5-9k), and other misc expenses.
The guy I spoke with seemed pretty happy, but keep in mind that you would be on the road a few days a week, or maybe just overnight once a week in the above scenario. Regardless, if you are selecting jobs from a national shipper like my driver was, instead of bidding for them, then I think it's a worthwhile endeavor. The shipping company was out of Phoenix, called me for vehicle info and such, and told me their driver would call me for final pick up notice. I was expecting a tractor/trailer to pull up, not a pickup truck.
Good luck

If your are hauling commercially, you are subject to DoT Regulations, which means LogBooks, Max Daily Driving Time, Stopping at Weigh Stations, etc.

You need to figure in Fuel, Insurance, your time, vehicle depreciation and upkeep. I know our 1 Car enclosed trailer always seems to be going through tires ( 2-3 a year) and it is not used as much as you would be using it.

As someone else mentioned, you really need to book loads going both ways in order to make a profit

Here's another thing to think about ----- and this is not meant to be demeaning in any way so please - nobody take it this way!

Look around your neighborhood --- where you live --- and ask yourself if there are any "truck drivers" as neighbors. Actually --- this works for ANYTHING someone is thinking about doing. It's kind of a dumbed down survey --- but is PRACTICAL --- and tells you about what you can expect to earn. MORE? Or LESS? Because certain jobs pay enough to keep you in a particular lifestyle - whatever level that is...

My dad starting moving cars after retiring. Long story short, it was a lot more work than you'd think, and I don't remember him ever meeting a happy person at the end of the day. He started small, and moved up to a multi car stackable trailer, like what you'd see new cars being delivered on. He hated it, so he sold the trailer, signed on with a big national company, and started moving anything and everything coast to coast. He owned his own tractor, and actually made really good money, but was NEVER home. Had it not have been for colon cancer, he'd still be driving. He beat the cancer, by the way...

While we are on the subject, a guy once told me that "you will never make good money working with your hands." Not sure if he meant in general or what. Every situation is different and there are a lot of variables but what do you think about that quote.

All of you have brought up very valid points to consider. Going full time permanent probably isn't in the cards for me, but the occasional 1 or 2 weekends a month is doable for some extra cash. Also why I would consider staying on the West Coast. California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon & Washington. Going commercial would make sense to me if it was going to be my only gig. I have driven commercial for the past 16 years, mainly SF Bay Area and going through all of the procedures just to be doing this once or twice a month would be costly. And probably not make smart business sense. On the flip side, when major transporters are booked and the timeline doesn't work with your schedule I may be free during the time you need it taken care of and it works out for both of us. I could see this being more of a helping hand for both parties. Just a thought after seeing some of you looking for transports.