Your setup, type of equipment you need (truck, trailer, logbook, fuel cards and other indispensable tools).
To be able to haul a trailer with up to 3 vehicles on it, you will need a class 3 truck (GVWR: 10,001 to 14,000 pounds)
Model Example/s: RAM 3500, Chevy Silverado 3500, Ford F-350)
Diesel Engine: 6.7L Cummins for RAM, 6.7L Power Stroke for Ford and while the 6.6L Duramax for Chevy Silverado.
Axel minimum ratio 3.73, preferred 4.10
It is ADVISED to have a fuel thank of 40 + gallons, if you get the smaller one you will need to make to many stops, or you can add an auxiliary fuel tank, but you need to be careful with that, some can leak or can interfere with your turning radius.
NOTE: DO NOT haul with anything less than that, a ram 2500 or ford 250 pulling 3 cars will break and also legally you are not allowed.
TIP: DO NOT buy any used trucks from sellers who used it for car hauling/hot shot business. Make sure it wasn't used for that, trust me you do not want it. I do not want to go into details on why not. Check for previous codes, if it had DEF related issues, STAY AWAY.
Trailer type
Hot shot car hauler trailers can have a length from 48” to 53” plus you can add extensions from both sides, for example a 53” trailer with extensions on both sides will allow you to cary 4 vehicles but you will definitely be over the 26,000 pounds which is not allowed for a non commercial driver license.
Trailers can be gooseneck, wedge high or low profile, they can also have 1 axle, 2 axle or 3 axle. That can be steel or aluminum.
1 Axle trailer is rated at 12,000 GVWR.
2 Axle trailer typically between 10,000 and 12,000 GVWR for each axle.
3 Axle trailer rated at 6-7,000 GVWR each axle.
Trailers have 2 types of brake system
1. Electric brakes.
2. Electric over hydraulic.
Hydraulic brakes are considerably better, more braking power and doesn't malfunction as often, worth every penny, electric brakes are weaker and break often due to corrosion, salt, water getting into it and other factors also diagnostics are much harder to make if they brake.
NOTE: Unfortunately ALL trailers start cracking in different areas, depending on how heavy you use them or the brand and quality of the trailer, some can crack after 6 months others after 1 year, but eventually they will, thats why its important to inspect your trailer for cracks so you can fix them before it gets worse and needing for a major repair (talking about new trailers, be more cautious with used ones).
Curb Weight, GVWR and GCWR
You can find the Curb weight and the GVWR on the sticker inside the drivers door, (for Trailer) a sticker on the tongue of your trailer also on drivers side (required by law), on your registration, title or in the manual.
CURB WEIGHT is the weight of your vehicle/trailer empty.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum amount of weight your TRUCK/TRAILER is rated to cary. This number INCLUDES the weight of the Truck/Trailer itself with everything on it, inside or outside things such as tools, fuel, cargo, passengers.
GCWR is the gross combined weight rating
This will be the GVWR of your Truck and Trailer combined.
For example: Your TRUCK GVWR is 13,000 pounds with a Curb Weight of 6,000 pounds and your TRAILER is rated at 20,000 lbs GVWR with a Curb weight of 8,000 lbs. GCWR will be 33,000 pounds, from the GCWR you subtract the Curb Weight combined, so 33,000 minus 14,000 pounds, leaves you with 19,000 pounds of weight you can have on your setup. Keep in mind your NON CDL weight should not exceed 26,000 pounds of your total weight, truck and trailer with everything on or in it.
To make sure your trailer will fit your fifth wheel properly, its important to know what what type of fifth wheel you will have on your truck, before committing on buying any trailer
NOTE: If your GVWR of your truck and trailer combined is more than 26,000 lbs you need a CDL. If you get pulled over even if you total weight is under 26,000 lbs but your GVWR on papers shows more than 26,000 lbs you might be put out of service and cannot move without a CDL, driving without the trailer might be an option in that case.
Maintenance
Every 8 to 10k miles you should do an oil change and every other oil change a fuel filter replacement, also roper lubrication is essential to the proper function and reliability of your trailer axle do not forget to do that.
RECORD all the maintenance done and inspect your truck trailer daily. Do an inspection of your truck and trailer every time before you start your day and every time you finish your day, this routine will keep you away from accidents, unwanted breakdowns and other events.
Every time you stop for fuel check your tire pressure on truck and trailer, to avoid tire loss while on the road.
Keep your fuel system clean. Over time, particles found in gasoline can clog your vehicle's fuel system. Dirty fuel injectors spray less fuel into the ignition system, and a weak stream causes your truck to use more gas. A weak fuel injector stream also makes your truck's engine run and idle harder.
Cleaning your fuel system is easy. Buy a trusted fuel injection cleaner and pour it into the gas tank. Run the engine and add another cleaner to remove carbon from all of your combustion chambers.
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DEF SYSTEM issues are inevitable. Do your own research on this one, which one is better to use.
All these practices are the minimum you should do, by at least doing this your equipment will last longer, save money, time and minimize the potential of accident due to equipment breakdown.