Trucking: Equipment for Auto Transport, vehicle weights, gross vehicle weight

Question
I have a few general questions about equipment for the auto transport business -
I have been looking on Kaufman's website and have of course seen several wedge trailers on their site - they have the 35', 50' and the 56'. How important is the axle lb (i.e. 6000lb axle; 2-10000lb axle)?

Also, what exactly is the GVWR? How will that be important when weighing and towing vehicles?

Finally, is there a publication that has all of the vehicle weights? How can you quickly provide a rate for a vehicle without that actual weight?

Answer
Hi Nicole.

A gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable total weight of a road vehicle or trailer that is loaded, including the weight of the vehicle itself plus fuel, passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight.  That said, you need to make sure you don't overload the trailer!  Bad things can happen and if you get in any kind of an accident with an overloaded trailer, very bad things will happen!

Axles are extremely important because the more axles, the more weight you can haul.  What each axle can take, weight wise, is extremely important too.  That, plus it's illegal to put too much weight on axles and that's why you'll pull through scale houses along the interstate.  They will weigh you and if your overloaded, it's a fine and you can't drive away until your legal again.

I don't know of any publication that list vehicle weights, but most companies go by the vehicle size.  You can go to www.kbb.com and look up vehicles and get their weight.  Mostly, though, you'll go by size.  When someone call with a small SUV, you'll know it's about 4000 pounds.  A full size SUV, 5500 to 6000 pounds.  It also depends on vehicle aftermarket accessories and if the customer is loading their SUV with weight equipment that will be moved also!  Your breakdown on pricing should be by vehicle size, if it's running, pick up and drop off locations, and if there is a "window" or strict p/u and delivery time.  Vehicle size breaks down like this...

Compact Cars
Midsize Sedans
Full Size Sedans
Wagons
Pickups
Small SUVs
Midsize SUVs
Large SUVs
Minivans
Specialty Vehicle

Kaufman makes a great trailer and I'm sure a Sales Rep will help you pick one out that fits your needs.  They sell a lot and understand the business.

Good luck!

Bob Stephens