Need Input/Opinions on Cargo Van Idea

johnsmithjr07 · Mar 19, 2008

Ok, so I have been driving trucks for 9 years now. I have been local, OTR and an O/O. I have pulled trailers, drove straight trucks, dumps, tow......blah blah blah.

I recently was hauling cars with my dully and a 3 car trailer but this seems to be too much hassel for the money I was making. Not to mention no easy way to turn a dully into a "dot" sleeper.

Either way....here is my idea , feel free to leave your input and ideas. Thanks in advance.

I'd like to purchase a Cargo Van. I'm wondering if I could fit 2-3 motorcycles in it "sport bikes". Then possibly pull a 7x14 trailer behind it with 2 or 3 more in it. I'd like to run coast to coast.

I'm wondering if I was to purchase this setup in cash if that would make things better to try this out. The other concern I have if the only place that I know to get work for cargo vans would be Uship, but people are slow, shifty, and cheap on that site. Are there any other places for van loads or what not that wont obligate me to a carrier persay???

I'm not worried about home time at all. I love to be on the road and want to do it for myself again, but would like to try to make money with fuel prices now a days, but not have to beat the crap out of my equipment.

Thanks for any ideas or opinions.

Pork Chop

terryandrene · Mar 19, 2008

You can surely tote the load you suggest, perhaps more, and stay with your weight limitations. Have you considered contacting auto transport outfits like "FedEx Custom Critical Passport Auto Transport" in Maryland Heights, MO, "Horseless Carriage" or other custom auto transporters to see if they have motorcycle divisions. Perhaps you could submit a proposal and get them interested.

johnsmithjr07 · Mar 19, 2008

Acutally no, I have not contacted any large carriers about that. I was hoping to gain my own business if possible as to get rid of the middle man. I was using a load board for the cars I hauled and by the time the transporter gets paid, the broker is making more just for listing it then I get to haul it. But thats how the world turns, right?

I had considered going around to all the bike shops here in my area and seeing how much internet sales they do and to what "majority" is their stuff going. Maybe gain business that way.

I was browsing the site here, and found a couple T300 Kw's with 24ft boxes that would allow anywhere from 6 to 9/10 bikes at a time. As long as I had a lift gate, maybe I could get my own "custom" cycle transport thing going.

Just some ideas, and thanks for yours!

Chop

Jefferson3000 · Mar 19, 2008

Find some brokers that deal in auto transport. You will need an MC number and state permits though.

In fact, I had a broker call me yesterday who does a lot of auto transport. He said their website was: Triton Worldwide Transport, Inc. - Triton Worldwide Transport, Inc. You'll need to check them out on "Safer" and make sure they have an active bond and broker authority. Might make it a goal to have three or four brokers on each coast. Also, just go see motorcycle dealers.

Crazynuff · Mar 22, 2008

Don't give up of your pickup . You're right about cars , though . Transporters are saying the rates are staying too low . Sign up for a free subscription to "Overdrive" . The May issue will have a feature story on hotshotting . It isn't that difficult to make the rear seat of a quad cab a DOT legal sleeper . The main problem is the 75" length . You can accomlish this by removing the rear door panels , removing the window raising mechanism , and blocking the windows up . Some drivers have removed the passenger seat and install a sleeper running front to back . There is a Canadian firm that claims to make a sleeper that meets FMCSA requirements by replacing the rear windows with bubbles and extending a mattress through them . This conversion is NOT legal . It doesn't come close to meeting the 24" height requirement .

OntarioVanMan · Mar 22, 2008

I see a lot of motorcycles on the move in Uship both private and dealers especially to Rapid City...Sturgis and return...I've seen some nifty motorcycle transporters out there and they make a living at it...It'll just take time to find the show people and dealers.