Trucking: Registratopn and weight diferences in hot shot vs. semi, hot shot service, 2005 ford f350

Question
Hello
 I have 13 years experience as a tractor trailer driver, both company driver and owner op. I'm preparing to move from WI to east TX and am considering starting up an auto hauling hot shot service. I have a 45 foot enclosed trailer. It has 35 feet of floor space and is set up for one vehicle but is easily converted to handle two. I'm in the market for a truck as we speak. I'm looking at dodge 3500's and ford 350's. I'd like to also get a wedge trailer so I can do both. Is this enough truck to haul 4 cars on a wedge? The 2005 Ford f350 with 6.0 ltr and manual trans i rated at 11,400 gvwr. Does that mean that is the most weight this truck can pull regardless of trailer type? I know semis tractors are registered at 80k and the trailer is just a permenant trailer plate with no weight rating but I think pickups you register weight on truck and trailer. I see ALOT of one ton trucks pulling 4 car wedges and they can't be rated gvwr much higher.

Also when it comes to registration do you need to register the base plate and then do all the ifta registrations for the states you will run in just like a trucking company does?

Answer
Hi Allen,

I have a friend who just bought a 2008 F450 and it can haul 24,500.  That means you can hook up to 24,500 lbs. and tow it away.  That's a lot of weight and very impressive.  That's a truck I'd be looking at.  Whatever truck you look at, you want to go with it's towing capacity.  I think a lot of guys with one ton truck probably overload them.  The average weight of a new car or light truck is just over 4,000 lbs.  Add it all up and see what each truck will tow. Many diesels pickups can only haul in the 17,000 range.  Like I said before, just check what your towing capacity is with whatever truck you look at.  Trailer type makes no difference.

When your ready to register, contact the Texas DOT.  You will have to get your base plates and fuel tax, but depending on the gvw of your rig, there could be some adjustments.

Good luck!

Bob Stephens