All that weight isn't easy on a 1-ton truck, so Hannah added a set of air bags in the back to make sure his truck stays level while it's towing.
HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU MAKE?
Why would you want to do this? Well, for starters, the money can be pretty good. With diesel prices the way they are now, the shorter your run, the better. Long distance towing (500 miles or more) can be pretty hard on the pocketbook. San Francisco is another area where automobiles are always being shuttled in or out, so let's pretend we are hauling cars from L.A. to S.F. with a distance of about 400 miles. It can be completed in about 6 hours, or 8-9 hours if you're more realistic about traffic. The good news is that each car that you deliver on that run will get you at least $300. If you're able to transport three cars, that means a $900 gross for a day of work. But wait, there are expenses. Insurance, tires, brakes, oil changes, axle bearings, repairs to both truck and trailer, flat tires, and cracked windshields are all common costs that will need to be factored in. Fuel alone will range from $100-$200 a day depending on the number of miles traveled. Even with all those expenses, the profit margin can still be pretty high.
If it's that easy, why don't more people do it? Well there are other physical and emotional drawbacks as well. Long hours, stressful situations, no guaranteed pay, licensing requirements, and startup costs all contribute to making this a hard profession to get into. We'd expect the initial cost to start this type of business to be $20,000 at the very least (with a used truck and trailer), and you'd better make sure you have a client base by the time you're ready to start hauling. Clients range from auction houses to junkyards to dealers. Often, many car dealers will buy multiple vehicles at auctions, then transport them to their location. If there's a shortage of cars in the area, boats, trailers, and industrial equipment are all alternative transport options that can get you paid.
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Many people use straps to tie their loads down, but chains are also a good idea. |
Rick uses a fifth-wheel on his rig, and notes that it's rated to carry 35,000 pounds. | 
Sometimes having a flatbed can have its advantages. In this case, Hannah was making about $2,500 to haul this Lincoln Navigator limo and truck from California to Texas. |
A secondary fuel tank is more of a cost-saving device than anything else. "If I can buy diesel 30 cents cheaper in the middle of nowhere," Hannah said, "I'll save almost $50 per tank." | 
On the top vehicle, Hannah uses chains and straps to secure his load. "The last thing I want is that vehicle landing on the cab during a quick stop," he said. |