Transporting your vehicle with an auto carrier trailer along is a consideration for people moving from one end of the country to the other. It is also a very necessary concern for auto dealers who need to have stock delivered to their dealerships.

As with many things in life, there's more than one way to transport a vehicle or vehicles. Here, you will find ways of making the most of automobile carrier trailers that can provide information about the various trailers available, as well as other methods of auto transport, including having someone else do it for you. With this information, your company can pick the best method of transporting a vehicle.

1. Look at the various open car carrier trailers.

2. Explore the enclosed car carrier trailer.

3. Rely on a car carrier business to transport your autos.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Examine open car carrier trailers

The open car carrier trailer has many sizes capacities: from the single car carrier trailer, to the double deck car carrier trailer that's capable of carrying 6 to 7 vehicles. The open car carrier trailers come with many options: extendable ramps, trailers that lower down for easy loading with hydraulics, or goose necks for added maneuverability. One thing is common for all these auto carrier trailers: they make the most of space available on their decks while still staying with the legal size limit. However, the other common feature they all share is that the vehicles they transport are all vulnerable to the elements.

I recommend: Many manufacturers make automobile trailers. Take 3 Trailers makes different trailer car carrier styles that range from the two car single deck trailers to the six to seven double deck trailers. Anderson Trailers specializes in gooseneck car carriers of varying length. The companies' car carrier trailers for sale through dealerships like Trailers For Less.

Consider the enclosed trailer carrier

Enclosed car carriers are a good option for antique cars, race cars, or other specialty vehicles. They are also a good option if your company wishes to keep the transported vehicle from the elements. However, these trailers are more expensive than the open car carrier trailers.

I recommend: Interstate Cargo manufactures enclosed car carriers for single vehicles, whereas Platinum Custom Trailers manufactures custom enclosed car carriers with two or more decks.

Rely on a car carrier business to ship your autos for you

Perhaps your company has decided it doesn't want to get into owning a car carrier trailer and all that entails, such as having trained drivers, having the proper insurance, knowing the regulations regarding car transportation. No bother: hire someone to transport your autos for you. There is more than one car carrier business with drivers, insurance et al already in place to take care of your company's needs. Leave the driving and the headache to someone else.

I recommend: National Transport and Door to Door Auto Transport have open and enclosed car carrier trailers to choose from and excellent reputations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you decide to go with custom auto transport trailers but don't find the configuration you need, talk with the manufacturers. They will be more than willing to work with you to design something that will fit your company's needs.

Whether you sell cars or motorcycles or are just looking for a new business to get into, auto transport trailers may be your ticket. Car buffs and local dealers need carrier trailers to do most of their moving. In addition to becoming a dealer for car carrier trailers, you can add other amenities to your fleet by providing car carrier trailers for rent to enthusiasts who need a trailer carrier for just one move.

Auto transport trailers are not readily available in most markets. Your line may be the first in your area. Many car dealerships rely on third party auto transport trailers. There is no reason why they shouldn’t pocket that continuing expense by purchasing their own automobile trailers from you.

1. Offer car carrier trailers for rent to vintage car collectors

2. Start a car carrier business

3. Add a line of auto carrier trailers to your current automotive inventory

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tap into the collector market with a line of quality automobile carrier trailers

Collectors will go to great lengths to protect their acquisitions. True car buffs will travel anywhere to pick up a new vehicle. Instead of hiring a third party to deliver their beloved collector's item, they can rent a car carrier trailer from you and drive it themselves. Mechanical maintenance on automobile trailers is practically non-existent, giving you a great source of repeat income on your purchase.

I recommend: BNM Trailers manufactures car carrier trailers in a variety of sizes and styles, as well as all the accessories for auto transport trailers that you may want to carry to pump up the rental ticket. Automotive Online is a B2B international service you can tap into to find the best deals on car carrier trailers.

Open a car carrier business for all the dealers and car buffs in your area and beyond

By developing contacts in the trailer carrier industry, you can purchase territory rights to sell a top-notch brand of auto carrier trailers. Manufacturers send a potential customer to you when they receive inquires from buyers in your area. Offer car hauler trailers for sale one at a time or by the fleet.

I recommend: Interstate partners with dealers to sell car carrier trailers. They offer a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty and carry everything from cargo trailers to loadrunners and recreational trailers. Featherlite has dealer opportunities nationwide. They carry more than 400 different premium carrier trailers.

Pump up your margins with car hauler trailers for sale

If you currently own a car lot, motorcycle business or recreational vehicle shop, you should add at least one line of carrier trailers for your customers' convenience. They shouldn't have to look to another dealer to buy a carrier trailer for the vehicle they just purchased from you. Take advantage of the ready-made business before you by adding a line of carrier trailers.

I recommend: Texas Bragg Trailers can provide your customers with a great line of auto transport trailers and custom carrier trailers. They are currently looking for dealers to sell their lines. Falcon Trailers only sells its American-made carrier trailers through authorized dealers. Contact them to set up your line.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Market your new line of car carrier trailers at local car shows and through the newsletters of vintage collectors.
• •  Join the auto dealers association in your area to educate them about your car carrier trailer business.

Driving automobile carrier trailers can be a lucrative career. It is, without a doubt, a career that takes specialized training, as well as a CDL (Commercial Driver License) if the automobile carrier has a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 26,001 or more pounds and is towing 10,000 pounds. The requirements for the CDL vary from state to state, which means that you will need to contact the department of motor vehicles in your state to find out what these are.

Starting the automobile carrier trailers education and training requires find a qualified truck driving school, acquiring the CDL, then finding car carrier trailers for sale, should you decide to buy your own auto transport trailers.

1. Pick a good truck driving school for driving auto carrier trailers

2. Earn your CDL and become an authorized trailer car carrier driver

3. Find car hauler trailers for sale

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a school for learning to become a driver of automobile trailers

This step is very important, because too much is at stake. Driving automobile trailers requires special skills that can't be learned by driving a pick-up truck. What's more important is that not all truck driving schools are created equal or are even qualified to be called truck driving schools. Fortunately, there are sites like Top Trucking Schools that can help. Do your research, make sure that the schools are accredited, ask lots of questions, and even check them out with the Better Business Bureau.

I recommend: Top Trucking Schools is a helpful site in that it does help to make the search for good trucking schools where you can earn your CDL to drive automobile trailers. Diesel Driving Academy is one such truck driving school.

Earn your CDL to drive a trailer carrier

Since the automobile carrier can be 102 inches long or more, it is imperative that you complete the training for the CDL before even thinking of slipping behind the wheel. During the CDL training, you'll learn about the pre-trip inspection of the auto carrier trailer and truck, inspection of the engine compartment, checking the cab and properly starting the engine, and checking the air brake. Once you've mastered this, you can start learning about going on the road where you'll learn to properly back up the vehicle, and driving it properly on the road.

I recommend: New York State posts Federal Requirements for CDL Applicants on their site which is very helpful. The requirements for getting a CDL, which is required for driving auto carrier trailers, varies from state to state. IDrivetrucks also provides good information about requirements for the CDL.

Operate an auto carrier trailer

If you drive for a company, the auto carrier trailer will be provided by the company. However, you may wish to acquire one of your own if you wish to start your own car carrier business. Although car hauler trailers for sale are plentiful, car carrier trailers for rent are also available. Loading the vehicle properly is important. Keeping the vehicle going is another, especially as the auto carrier trailer can break down (something the CDL requires you to do). You will also need to learn to properly lash the vehicles in the trailer and load them in the proper order.

I recommend: Job Monkey has some helpful tips on skills the auto carrier trailer driver will have to know. YouTube has a very good series of videos called "Unloading an Open Car Transport Carrier" which shows a driver safely unloading a trailer carrier, as well as another featuring properly loading a vehicle.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take the time to thoroughly research the truck driving school. You do not want to find yourself in the situation of paying for your training only to find that the school is unlicensed. Getting a CDL to drive auto carrier trailers is expensive, so make sure to spend your money wisely.