1-4 Car Trailers
There are a lot of different type of trailers in the 1-4 car capacity. We will look at the different types of trailers, and explore some of the manufacturers and use-cases
One to Two Vehicle Trailers
These vehicle trailers come in two main varieties: Flatbed/Open Car and Enclosed. They each have their own merits. The open car varieties are usually lightweight, easy to maneuver, and given they lack walls or roof they are easy to load and unload. Enclosed trailers are boxes on wheels, and they protect a vehicle from road debris, weather, and anyone up to no good.
1 Car Flatbeds
These are usually simple hitch flatbeds. You may have seen people renting them from UHaul, though those tend to be very simple ones. The major consideration with a single car flatbed is that it is very hard to make a living hauling one car at a time. Some local markets may support single-car haulers, but generally the time and effort is not the effort compared to moving more vehicles.
2-Car Flatbeds
These trailers are generally just bigger versions of the single car, but you begin to see ‘extras’ appearing on trailers of this size including improved gates and ramps, extra tie-downs, and more hitch options.
Three and Four Car Trailers
There are two main types of trailers for this capacity: wedge and hydraulic lift trailers. There are various configurations of each of these trailers.
3-Car Wedge Trailers
Wedge trailers are very similar to flatbeds, but they are bowed and are at an angle. Depending on how they are built, they may have a single axel all the way up to a triple axel as well as a varied length (usually between 45 feet and 53 feet).
- Sun Country
- Kaufman
- Appalachian (they have an interesting trailer that is a decked wedge… check it out!)
- Texas Pride
- Take 3 (they do a lot of custom jobs)
4-Car Hydraulic Trailers
The only way to increase car hauling capacity above 3 vehicles is to start stacking them (usually). At the 4-car and up we begin seeing vehicles lifted above one another on decks, or lifted at 45 degree angles to fit more of them into the space. There is more care involved with this type of trailer as you are moving them up and down, and have to load balance more carefully than with the wedge style trailers.
Major Considerations
When deciding on the trailer capacity for your car hauling business, you need to consider the cost of the trailer and the potential for income.
Cost of the Trailer: The cost of the trailer is an essential consideration when determining the trailer capacity. A larger trailer with a higher weight capacity will typically cost more than a smaller trailer. You should assess your budget and consider the cost of the trailer as part of your business expenses. While it may be tempting to choose a less expensive, smaller trailer, it’s essential to balance cost with functionality and ensure that the trailer can meet the needs of your business.
Potential for Income: The trailer capacity you choose will impact your potential for income. A larger trailer can transport more vehicles, which can increase your revenue. However, it’s crucial to ensure that you have enough demand for your services to justify the larger investment in a larger trailer. Research the market in your area to determine the demand for car hauling services and assess your capacity needs based on that demand.
Balancing Cost and Capacity: When deciding on the trailer capacity, it’s important to find a balance between cost and capacity. You want to choose a trailer with a weight capacity that meets your business needs while still being affordable. Consider the type of vehicles you plan to transport, their average weight, and the number of vehicles you plan to haul at once to determine the appropriate trailer capacity.
Flexibility: It’s also important to choose a trailer that can be flexible and adaptable to different situations. You may encounter different types of vehicles that require different weight capacities, so having a trailer that can handle a range of weights can increase your flexibility and ability to meet customer needs.
Overall, when choosing the trailer capacity for your car hauling business, you should carefully consider the cost of the trailer, potential for income, and your business needs to find the right balance between cost and capacity.