One of the most interesting parts of the trucking industry is that each unique freight comes with its own distinct advantages, challenges, and government regulations.
Auto hauling is no exception, especially due to the valuable and heavy nature of this freight. From relationships with brokers to FMCSA regulations, there are many considerations to make before starting out as an auto hauler.
Whether you’re an industry veteran or looking to find out the basics of this important job, keep reading for our comprehensive introduction to auto hauling.
Understanding Auto Hauling
Auto hauling, also known as car hauling, is the business of transporting vehicles from one place to another by trailer. Often serving dealerships or private customers, auto haulers use a variety of trailers depending on the specific requirements of the customer.
There are three types of trailers that an auto hauling carrier can invest in: open, enclosed, and flatbed.
Enclosed hauling trailers are the most protective, keeping the cars from exposure to any outside elements such as rocks, wind, or rain. This usually leads to a higher service cost for enclosed hauling, and often is reserved for higher end automobiles. Enclosed trailers can usually only handle 1-6 vehicles at a time, whereas open carriers can sometimes handle up to 9-12.
Auto haulers must also consider the industry-specific needs of each customer. These are some of the potential industries that regularly need auto hauling.
- Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM): Auto hauling for OEMs involves transporting vehicles from the manufacturer to dealerships for sale to consumers. Efficiently managing and swiftly moving large inventories is crucial in this context.
- Retail: Dealerships may need to transfer vehicles between locations or reorganize their lots to make room for new inventory shipments. Car hauling helps facilitate these necessary adjustments.
- Fleet Management: Corporate fleet vehicles require careful management and maintenance, often involving car hauling. This includes transporting vehicles being decommissioned, damaged and needing repair, or reassigned to different employees across the country.
- Rentals: Rental car companies frequently need to redistribute their fleet to meet fluctuating demand. For example, during the summer, rental cars might be shipped to vacation destinations to accommodate the influx of seasonal visitors.
- Remarketing: This process involves selling used cars from rental or corporate fleets. Efficient auto hauling is essential for moving these vehicles to various sales points.
- Privately Owned Vehicles (POV): This involves transporting individual vehicles owned by private individuals. Each vehicle is typically shipped separately, needing specialized handling.
Challenges of Auto Hauling
Like any unique freight, auto hauling comes with its own drawbacks and considerations. For carriers, it is essential to keep these in mind to avoid damaging freight or relationships with customers.
Vehicles are some of the most valuable and heavy freight that can be transported, putting a lot of pressure on carriers and auto hauling drivers.
Tommy Valenzuela, Director of Recruiting at Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport, believes that the key to successful auto hauling is recruiting drivers with the right level of commitment and expertise.
“When you get somebody who’s going to put in the work and dedication it takes to be an auto hauler, I think that really speaks volumes on who the individual is, and the respect that they have for the job that they do,” said Valenzuela
“It takes a lot of time and dedication and knowledge to learn how to load your truck. Are you going to be over the weight limit or too tall? And if you are, now you’re three and a half hours into your day, and you have to restart and do it all over again.”
Drivers should receive updated, specialized training on vehicle loading and securement, safety regulations and compliance. Regulations are bound to change over time, which means it is essential to keep an eye on news from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The DOT enforces strict height and weight regulations for car haulers to ensure the safety of both the drivers and other motorists on the road. Currently, the maximum allowable width is 8.5 feet, and the total gross weight must not exceed 80,000 pounds. Additionally, no single axle should carry more than 20,000 pounds.
The DOT also stipulates that all car haulers must carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance coverage.
Building Relationships with Brokers
Another important consideration to make as an auto hauling freight carrier is the role of auto transport brokers. Not all customers will decide to go through brokers, but many times they play an important part in connecting carriers to customers seeking car shipping services.
Brokers often handle logistics, paperwork, and communication allowing carriers to focus on their drivers and transporting the vehicles.
The process starts when a shipper, (an individual or business), contacts a broker to arrange car transport. The broker then searches their network of carriers to find an available carrier. Once a carrier is available, the broker assigns the shipment to them, communicating details about pickup, delivery, and payment to both parties. After the run is completed, the broker collects payment from the shipper and pays the carrier.
Due to the large part they can play in the process, it is important for carriers to build strong relationships with reliable brokers. Be sure to choose reputable brokers with positive reviews and a history of fair dealings and maintain open lines of communication throughout the entire process. Both sides should understand expectations, timelines, and any special requirements.
Looking to learn more about other sectors of the transportation industry? Be sure to check out the rest of our Employer Blog posts and connect with us on social media for more industry updates and advice.
