Trucking: Where to go from here, auto transport companies, auto hauling

Question
Hello Bob, My husband and I have just started the car hauling venture. The company we went with was very small and at best organized. Something seems quite shady with them. Since we are new at this, we don't have a trailer but own our own 1 ton dually. We run under their authority and DOT. They dispatch as well. I know how to dispatch but can you tell us if there are any companies out there that would let us run under their authority and use their trailer, and maybe let me dispatch? They would get a percentage of the loads ofcoarse. We have not bought a triler yet because of the expenses we have already incurred with this company. If you could give us some direction, we would be greatful. Thank You for your time. Kelly

Answer
Hi Kelly.

My advice is to save and get your own trailer.  Then start looking for a new company or get your own DOT number.  There isn't a company out there that will let you dispatch.  They may give you a choice of loads (non-forced dispatch), but it would be impossible to keep track of "who's where" and "what cars are picked up or not" with driver's doing their own dispatching.  The one thing with hauling cars is that you may work for "ABC Auto Transport" but hauling a car for "XYZ Auto Hauling" which got the car from yet another transport company.  It gets complicated sometimes because auto transport companies call each other all the time to see if the other has a truck in the area.  You don't want to turn down a load just because you don't have a truck nearby.  That all being said, if you were to try and dispatch, it would be total chaos (no fault of your own, of course).

Trucking can be full of shady companies, but when you don't get paid, that's when you quit.  Quit immediately if that happens!  If they tell you on payday, say Friday, that's the money is held up until Monday, quit when the cash is in your hands on Monday!  I've seen owner-operators keep driving for months when owed money, then the company folds and he/she is out big money.  The salt on the wound is when they reopen as yet another company, but, sorry, this company owes you nothing.

As long as your getting paid, stick it out and research other hot shot opportunities.  Go to www.expeditorsonline.com and talk to other car haulers.  Find companies through them.  I'd save my money, buy a trailer and haul for myself.  That way, you keep ALL the money!

Good luck!

Bob Stephens