Im almost done with getting my class A. Im in Northern California, does anyone have a heads up with any companies that would hire someone with no experiences in hauling cars? Thanks everyone.

 

I've known a number of car haulers, and only a few of them were really any good at it; it takes a special breed of driver to be a good PPL driver.

Car hauling is a specialized area of truck driving; there are a lot of pitfalls that can eat your lunch time-wise, as well as costing you some paychecks which go to pay some healthy fines if everything is not in order. and even a little damage can wind up costing a PPL driver a lot of money.

Start out pulling a flatbed, and get some experience under your belt.

 

I think GMAN has driven a portable parking garage. He would have some good info about pulling parking garages.

 

I don't know much about hauling parking lots, but it is something I personally would not have wanted to touch when I was just starting out. If you don't want to haul van trailers, I would try out doing flatbed or covered wagon also.

 

Thanks for the info everyone, I really appreciate it.

 

United Road hires new drivers.

 

There a few co.'s that would hire you with a little to no experienc. I have been hauling car for almost two years now and the money is decent but it can wear you out real quick. Certaintly will get your excercise, at least I do.
As a first driving job, I would not reccomend it. Just running over a little curb
in a open rack carrier could rack up some pretty serious cargo damage. Oh, yeah,I would just like to state for the record: "F@CK TREES!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Most car hauling carriers want you to have driving experience. Most will look for current car hauling experience. Part of the reason is exposure. There is much to learn. It is difficult for most companies to have the time or personnel to train you in proper securement. Hauling cars is very physically demanding. I guarantee you will get a work out with each and every load. You will also usually do more deadheading when you haul cars. It is easy to damage vehicles. Some carriers will want the driver to pay for the deductible, others may not. Deductibles can range up to $5,000 per vehicle. If you damage 3 vehicles on a load, they are treated as separate damage. You could be responsible for a deductible on all 3 vehicles. It can be rewarding, but I suggest getting some driving experience before thinking about hauling cars. The better carriers look for at least 2 years experience.

 

GMan Said it best, get some exp driving first and then think about hauling cars. I have been hauling for about 1.5yrs now and i wont do anything else. The job is very rewarding as long as you pay attn and never relax when loading. The smallest movement of a rack can cause major damage to a car.

When I was doing my research on car hauling companies everyone wanted 2yrs of OTR exp, they all wanted to know if I could drive a truck. A car hauler is very different from a dry box, your clearance is different above your head and under your trk. Yesterday I had to get of the Interstate due to it being close in Pittsburgh. I ran in to a bad situation, once I exited the expressway. I was allowed to lower a car to go under a bridge of 13'2.(it was the only way out.) Paid $20 to a couple of kids to watch the roof of an SUV. Money was well worth it, I rather pay $20 bucks anyday than to pay $5 grand for the missing roof.
Other than that the job is very good, but be prepared to work, nothing is going to come easy hauling cars.
any Questions PM and I will help as much as possible......

 

This is off the topic of car hauling, but, Pittsburgh sucks! I live just north of it, and thank god I have yet the pleasure of driving in town. I'm down there often for my current job. I drive people for medical appointments and I have to sit and wait on them alot in different areas down there, and I have seen alot of hairy situations down there with trucks. I was down there a few months ago waiting for a client in the Oakland/Shadyside area, and there was this CFI driver who did something amazing. She had to back out of one lot onto the street and then back into the driveway for the loading dock. It doesn't sound like much of a manuver, but backing onto a busy two way street with cars lining both sides, I tell you, I wanted to go over and shake her hand when she was done. I would have been $hitting bricks if I had to do it.

Tobytob, or anyone else, if you have to come on 376 again anytime soon, it's gonna be shut down again on the weekend. I think Penndot and either 3 or 4 more weekends of that BS. They do it on weekends because 376 is a major artery into the city and it is pure hell getting in and out during rushhours.

A bit of humor here, but I swear everyone is afraid of the tunnels! They all slow down right before they go in, probably thinking that at the end of the tunnel there is nothing and you fall right off into who knows what. :lol: