How to Earn Money with Your Car Trailer
Hauling cars can be a lucrative business endeavour. Once you’re all set up with a car trailer and a business plan, you’ll find there’s plenty of demand out there for hauling services. With a little financial savvy, a strong work ethic, and excellent driving skills, you can earn a steady income with your car trailer. Read on for our guide to getting started as a professional auto hauler!
Are you in the market for a great trailer to start your own car hauling business? Look no further than Golden Gait Trailers & RVs in Concord, NC. We have a wide selection of car trailers, and qualified staff on hand to help you find a trailer with all the features you need. Our expert technicians specialize in custom projects, offering plenty of personalized options for the professional hauler who knows exactly what they need to succeed.
First Steps to Success
New hauling companies typically find work on “load boards” - websites dedicated to connecting haulers with customers. Locate a load board that specialties in car hauling to find your first job. Every load is an opportunity to make connections that can lead to more customers. Demonstrate your professionalism, and you may wind up with repeat customers. The goal of most car haulers is to eventually secure a contract with dedicated lanes.
Risks & Rewards
There is no standardized rate for car hauling. You can expect to make $300 to $700 per load, depending on the value of the car being hauled. The distance traveled also affects the cost of hauling. Another variable is the number of cars being hauled. Generally speaking, there is no change in the per-car rate when hauling larger quantities, though you may choose to negotiate a flat rate with your shipper or broker.
Transporting multiple high-end vehicles long distances will have the biggest payoff, but you’re also assuming the greatest risk. The longer the trip, the greater the likelihood of accidents. That’s why it’s important to have a robust insurance policy that covers your cargo. Auto haulers should have $2 million in liability, and at least $500,000 in cargo insurance. Be prepared to increase your coverage in anticipation of your business growing.
Grow Your Business
Just like any business, establishing a profitable car hauling company comes down to bringing in revenue that exceeds your expenses. For greater revenue, you can negotiate for better per-car rates from your customers, and maximize efficiency by hauling more cars at once.
Fuel, vehicle maintenance, and insurance costs are going to be your biggest expenses, so look for ways to reduce costs without taking on any added risks. Many car haulers take advantage of fuel cards that provide significant discounts at in-network fueling stations. Your technician might offer discounted service plans to loyal customers, or you may choose to hire an in-house technician if your business grows large enough to require one.
The most important part of growing your business is to build great relationships with brokers and shippers. Being a reliable worker speaks for itself, but communication skills also go a long way toward establishing trust. Respond quickly and clearly to any questions and concerns, and stay on the lookout for business connections until you’ve secured a great contract.
When you’re ready to begin your new career as a car hauler, come visit Golden Gait Trailers & RVs. We’re your specialty trailer and luxury RV dealer in Concord, NC. We proudly serve our community and our neighbors in Charlotte & Winston-Salem, NC.