VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION Hauling or Trailering Considering hauling for hire

I have recently retired and have been considering making a run at moving cars for a living. I have a 24' enclosed car hauler with tie downs and winch so a running car isn't necessary. Has anyone looked into this enough to know what the rate of haul is that is acceptable?

I would look in to the insurance and licensing aspect requirements also. Going commercial can be a whole different ballgame than just moving a vehicle that you own. You can get some rates online by checking a few professional carriers and then determine where you need to be to compete and still come out on the plus side.

Regarding rates ..... as in rates per loaded mile, I have chosen and paid anywhere from $.74 per loaded mile, up to $ 1.10 per loaded mile.

Both above rates shown were in enclosed trailers. The $.74 rate was in an enclosed, two level trailer, with a 6 vehicle capacity.

The $ 1.10 was in a 24 foot, single vehicle enclosed trailer

I have received "quotes" exceeding $2.00 per loaded mile, needless to say, those quotes did not obtain my business.

I have found a longer travel distance can result in a lower rate per loaded mile.

The worst part with charging for loaded distance it can cost nearly as much to return empty out of your own pocket. You would need to work out your travel cost and basically double that then allow extra for loading and unloading time. If long distance you may need to add for rest time, down here heavy vehicle drivers must have specified rest period at prescribed intervals with no more than 12 hours driving in any 24 hour time frame.
Tony

The worst part with charging for loaded distance it can cost nearly as much to return empty out of your own pocket. You would need to work out your travel cost and basically double that then allow extra for loading and unloading time. If long distance you may need to add for rest time, down here heavy vehicle drivers must have specified rest period at prescribed intervals with no more than 12 hours driving in any 24 hour time frame.
In saying the above it would be a good and interesting way to see a lot of the country and supplement your income.
Tony

A number of years ago Leonard Jordan, a VCCA member from California, did just that. He had a 1 ton truck and three car hauler. Traveled the USA transporting collector cars. He managed to make it work (intended!) for several years. At that time cost was $ 0.50 per loaded mile but gasoline was closer to half the price it is today. I have recently paid a VCCA member $ 1.00 per mile to bring a non-running Roadster Pickup. He arranged to haul another car part of one way, visit his wife's sister before bringing the truck to me. Don't know how much profit he made but it was an adventure!

I know a gentleman in New York needs a Nash brought to Oshawa, Canada?

Terry,

Be careful. I looked into doing this myself and even considered getting a larger commercial style trailer and truck.

The pitfalls I learned was that once you go over 10000 lbs gross wt, you are looking at ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) fees and regulations once you cross state lines. Some carriers stay within their own states or limit the number of states served. Secondly, there's the cost of liability insurance to cover yourself in the event of theft or damage to the transported vehicles.
You can research all this online with a Google search. Not an easy biz but some have done it and managed to make money.
The biggest challenge is fuel, overnight costs, and wear and tear.

Good luck.

OOOOOOHHH. Yikes!!

Whole 'nuther ball of wax when crossing international boundaries and dealing with customs, duty, export paperwork, etc.. Yikes!!!

You really need to use an export broker to help with that stuff unless you're a retired customs person.