ANOTHER Shipping-A-Car Thread

[onevoice]

Originally Posted by motorscot

...
He is a LLC, has a 2 car trailer, but was considering a 3 car (which would put him under DOT regs, ....

WRONG

If you are making money doing it, you are a commercial hauler and subject to DOT regs.

He will get caught, just a matter of time.

You can make a living at it, but it isn't easy money. Fuel is just the beginning of the expenses. Don't forget to figure the depreciation and maintenance. of the truck and trailer, and meeting the DOT regs, and paying your taxes, etc, etc.

Making money in the trucking business is all about loaded miles. Running empty will kill any prospect of doing well.

[onevoice]

I will elaborate a little since I am in the transportation business. Not being critical, but clarification is necessary

Originally Posted by motorscot

........Anyway, he says he clears $1200+ a week.

Very doable for a driver, just not how you describe

Originally Posted by motorscot

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.

Anyone can be a member of the load boards, some are even free, so that doesn't imply any credibility. Since he is running illegal, he is probably using someone elses MC number(seen it). Possibly even a stolen one(ditto). Or maybe he is picking up loads for a shady operation. Trust me - there are plenty in the transport world.

Originally Posted by motorscot

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.

No way should anyone let their car be picked up by a transport company, if the driver shows up in a SRW, crewcab pickup. Probably doesn't have the required insurance either. New pickups are great vehicles, but they just aren't made for non-stop hauling like a big truck. Over the long haul, maintenance will be a nightmare.

Originally Posted by motorscot

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

These number are just nonsense. You cant legally go anywhere close to 1450 miles in 24 hours. Not to mention all those pickups and deliveries. Your time is worth something, even if it is spent loading or unloading. The last bit is the exact opposite of how to make money driving - paying attention to $ per hour. Drivers make bank by working (rolling) the MAXIMUM legal number of hours in a week.

Originally Posted by motorscot

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.

You cant set up a hauling company and be taking the deductions like you are a trucker without being a trucking company, unless you love DOT and IRS trouble. Also, you aren't going to be able to buy the insurance you NEED if you tell the insurance company you are operating under the table. And when you need the insurance - the insurance company won't pay when they find out you obtained it fraudulently.

Originally Posted by motorscot

The guy I spoke with seemed pretty happy,

Because he hasn't been caught YET. Talk to him again after he finishes paying his fines.

Originally Posted by motorscot

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

Don't do it. Shipping companies like this are sleazes that will run for cover if the driver ever has a problem. They will claim he was a "contractor", and leave him dangling in the wind when something happens. Not to mention the trouble coming from when a wheel falls off his unmaintained equipment or especially when he falls asleep on the above mentioned 24 hour illegal run. There are plenty of cases of drivers going to prison for doing exactly that. Fraudulently doing business is all easy money until you end up someones bitch in prison.

The trucking business is dog eat dog. There are really good companies, and real **** ones.

Stay out of jail - do it right, do a good job, and you will do ok.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I think the only way you could make money transporting is if you worked for a company as a driver or get to know all your local drivers and start a transport brokerage company.

[CRCRFT78]

Ok I would just like to state that I didn't wake up and say to myself, you have a truck and trailer, you can be a transporter. Not that anyone is accusing me of that. What I am getting from some of the comments are unless you are prepared to do this legally and with the proper equipment, don't bother. What I am doing would be nothing more than a "paid favor."

I certainly don't want to do this illegally and be that sleazeball. I don't have the time or the money for fines or jail, lol. Driving commercially for so many years and discussing this with friends in the towing business made me inquire about doing this. Either way, some deep thought and research is in order.

[CamaroMike]

Originally Posted by CRCRFT78

Ok I would just like to state that I didn't wake up and say to myself, you have a truck and trailer, you can be a transporter. Not that anyone is accusing me of that. What I am getting from some of the comments are unless you are prepared to do this legally and with the proper equipment, don't bother. What I am doing would be nothing more than a "paid favor."

I certainly don't want to do this illegally and be that sleazeball. I don't have the time or the money for fines or jail, lol. Driving commercially for so many years and discussing this with friends in the towing business made me inquire about doing this. Either way, some deep thought and research is in order.

I see what you are saying. If you were local I would def call you to move some of my stuff around for me on the weekends. I really like to trailer my stuff to the track but dont have a truck/trailer. All you really need is a small group of people like me in your area. I dont see why you wouldnt profit from it and have fun while doing so.

[CRCRFT78]

I see what you are saying. If you were local I would def call you to move some of my stuff around for me on the weekends. I really like to trailer my stuff to the track but dont have a truck/trailer. All you really need is a small group of people like me in your area. I dont see why you wouldnt profit from it and have fun while doing so.

I think this sums it up pretty well. Not everyone has the need for a trailer but when you need one it can be a PITA. Thats why I bought one.

[CamaroMike]

Ha, my buddy just texted me looking for someone to haul his car. Just put a word out around your local car community, you will find people. My friend has been hauling mine for a few years and i happily pay him!

[BMR Sales]

Originally Posted by CRCRFT78

Ok I would just like to state that I didn't wake up and say to myself, you have a truck and trailer, you can be a transporter. Not that anyone is accusing me of that. What I am getting from some of the comments are unless you are prepared to do this legally and with the proper equipment, don't bother. What I am doing would be nothing more than a "paid favor."

I certainly don't want to do this illegally and be that sleazeball. I don't have the time or the money for fines or jail, lol. Driving commercially for so many years and discussing this with friends in the towing business made me inquire about doing this. Either way, some deep thought and research is in order.

A "Paid Favor" makes you commercial. If you get pulled over and the Officer asks you if the Vehicle is yours, you can't say yes and if you say no, he can say that you are doing it commercially and fine you.

I have a friend that used to pick up cars for me before I had my Trailer. He wouldn't let me borrow his Trailer (I have just as big of Truck as he does), so he always drove. I figured he wanted to get away from the wife & kids. And would never take money. Now I understand.

[motorscot]

Originally Posted by onevoice

I will elaborate a little since I am in the transportation business. Not being critical, but clarification is necessary


Very doable for a driver, just not how you describe



Anyone can be a member of the load boards, some are even free, so that doesn't imply any credibility. Since he is running illegal, he is probably using someone elses MC number(seen it). Possibly even a stolen one(ditto). Or maybe he is picking up loads for a shady operation. Trust me - there are plenty in the transport world.






No way should anyone let their car be picked up by a transport company, if the driver shows up in a SRW, crewcab pickup. Probably doesn't have the required insurance either. New pickups are great vehicles, but they just aren't made for non-stop hauling like a big truck. Over the long haul, maintenance will be a nightmare.



These number are just nonsense. You cant legally go anywhere close to 1450 miles in 24 hours. Not to mention all those pickups and deliveries. Your time is worth something, even if it is spent loading or unloading. The last bit is the exact opposite of how to make money driving - paying attention to $ per hour. Drivers make bank by working (rolling) the MAXIMUM legal number of hours in a week.



You cant set up a hauling company and be taking the deductions like you are a trucker without being a trucking company, unless you love DOT and IRS trouble. Also, you aren't going to be able to buy the insurance you NEED if you tell the insurance company you are operating under the table. And when you need the insurance - the insurance company won't pay when they find out you obtained it fraudulently.


Because he hasn't been caught YET. Talk to him again after he finishes paying his fines.




Don't do it. Shipping companies like this are sleazes that will run for cover if the driver ever has a problem. They will claim he was a "contractor", and leave him dangling in the wind when something happens. Not to mention the trouble coming from when a wheel falls off his unmaintained equipment or especially when he falls asleep on the above mentioned 24 hour illegal run. There are plenty of cases of drivers going to prison for doing exactly that. Fraudulently doing business is all easy money until you end up someones bitch in prison.

The trucking business is dog eat dog. There are really good companies, and real **** ones.

Stay out of jail - do it right, do a good job, and you will do ok.

I'm not sure where you are coming from with your charges of law breaking and under the table antics of my example. I am not attempting to glorify this local transporter and (in your opinion) his blatant disregard for the law (your words).

I am a LEO with over 20 years on the job and don't appreciate your insinuations.

Apparently my words were taken out of context and as the true gospel. Sorry for that. The dude was legit, he had insurance, he was DOT registered. He told me about deductions, maintenance, depreciation, etc.

When he said he wasn't sure if he wanted to deal with the extra paperwork of DOT regs, he was referring to the extra steps and issues with going over the 26,xxx lb GVWR and the included legalities. Much like Greg's concerns with truck/trailer GVWR and overall length which he could have been faced with when considering his car hauler.

Did I take his words as gospel? No. Did I feel like breaking down each and every minute of travel time through 5 states and varying traffic conditions, foul ups, and other unforseeables in my post so that I would have no chance of being misinterpreted? No.

I am in complete agreement with you in your assertion that you can't travel that far in two days. I merely used Mapquest.com to get general information.

I am in complete agreement with you when you talk about loaded windshield time being the way to maximize your income. I used the original poster's question as my premise of a part time operation.

I shouldn't have generalized so much and perhaps my words would not have been misconstrued. I was only trying to pass along info that I gleaned from my conversation with him. I would hope that being the logical and intelligent men that I believe all of us are, that we, or anyone, wishing to get into hauling would research it completely and go about it legally and responsibly.

As I have NOT done further investigation because I won't be eligible to retire for another 3 1/2 years, I wasn't going to waste my time right now.

When the time comes, I will do my due diligence and make a rational and informed decision.

I didn't ask if he was being emotionally or spiritually fulfilled by being a small time car hauler. BUT, he said that he made good money working for himself, and liked the job.

If any of my responses have come across as hostile, my apologies.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

just like anything else in this world. Do your homework and check your local laws and regulations.