Car hauling is a great way to earn money as a trucker, but it also comes with its unique requirements. For instance, do you need a CDL to drive a car hauler? What makes a car hauling different from other forms of commercial driving?
Below, you’ll learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about car haulers. We hope this helps as you endeavor to become a car hauler.
Do You Need a CDL To Drive a Car Hauler?
No, a CDL is not automatically required if you’re looking to drive a car hauler. Unlike with some cargo, it’s not the cars themselves that necessitate a CDL. Instead, the key distinguishing factor here is weight: depending on the GVWR and GCWR of your trailer and your vehicle, you may be able to haul a small number of vehicles.
Given that cars are particularly heavy cargo, you will almost definitely need a CDL if you need to transport more than two or three vehicles. That said, if you’re not sure, it’s worth determining the weight you’re transporting and the maximum weight you can transport without a CDL.
In Arkansas, you need a CDL to exceed a GVWR or GCWR or 26,000 pounds. You’ll want to get the Class A CDL since this is the one that is designed for a combination of vehicles (i.e., a vehicle carrying other vehicles).
Please note that endorsements are not required to haul cars.
Is Car Hauling Hard?
As you might guess, this is a subjective question, depending on your strengths and weaknesses as a driver. There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind if you’re hauling cars, though.
The first is that the vehicles you’re transporting can easily get scratched. The fact that they’re valuable and exposed to the elements makes transporting them tricky, and you’ll want to be as cautious as possible during transportation. Proper loading and unloading are essential for preventing any damage to the vehicle’s exterior.
If you’re an owner-operator transporting vehicles, you may want to factor in potential expenses that arise from damages to a car’s exterior when quoting a client.
Along with this, you also need to be sure that everything is properly secured when you’re on the road. It’s always dangerous for a trailer to become disconnected from the vehicle you’re driving. It’s even more dangerous when the trailer is hauling multiple other vehicles. It would also help if you made sure the individual vehicles can’t come loose from the trailer.
High-Quality Car Haulers in Arkansas - Silver Moon Trailers
At Silver Moon Trailers, we’re proud to offer various trailers, and car haulers are no exception. We’ve been in this business for years, which is why you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands when you come to Silver Moon Trailers with any of your trailer needs.
Whether you’re looking for a new trailer, a used trailer, or you need some trailer parts, Silver Moon Trailers has you covered. Have any questions you’d like answered about our dealership or the trailers we have on offer? If so, you can contact us by calling 870.330.9133 or filling out our contact form.