Setting up in vehicle transport?
Discussion
I did 30 years in industry with 25 days holiday, I'm 55 and drawing from my pension, I don't need to work, but I do want to. An extra net income of £20k a year would be amazing. I love being out on the road.
I want 50 days off, so I'll be hoping to work about 42 weeks.
Overnight stop no problem, late night occassionally no problem, 4am start, no problem.
I have a licence for 7.5tons.
I'm considering buying a Discovery 4 and trailer for small cars, and a boat trailer. I'd buy those cash. That looks pretty limited these days due to so many bigger heavier cars.
I'd also look at a lease or finance on a newer 7.5t beavertail for EV's, bigger SUV, 4x4 and small vans and campers.
I'd value and inputs from people that do it.
Tell me why I'd hate it or make no money.
I want 50 days off, so I'll be hoping to work about 42 weeks.
Overnight stop no problem, late night occassionally no problem, 4am start, no problem.
I have a licence for 7.5tons.
I'm considering buying a Discovery 4 and trailer for small cars, and a boat trailer. I'd buy those cash. That looks pretty limited these days due to so many bigger heavier cars.
I'd also look at a lease or finance on a newer 7.5t beavertail for EV's, bigger SUV, 4x4 and small vans and campers.
I'd value and inputs from people that do it.
Tell me why I'd hate it or make no money.
A few thoughts
Trailer wise Brian James have several with 2.5 to 2.6 tonne carrying capacity.
Tachograph needed for Disco and trailer, same. for 7.5T beaver tail.
CPC
Market is saturated by Shiply etc
Goods in Transit insurance is getting rather expensive
Did this a few years back with a friend, we just got repeatedly undercut by folks happy to run either without cover or overloaded and ended up just binning it.
Trailer wise Brian James have several with 2.5 to 2.6 tonne carrying capacity.
Tachograph needed for Disco and trailer, same. for 7.5T beaver tail.
CPC
Market is saturated by Shiply etc
Goods in Transit insurance is getting rather expensive
Did this a few years back with a friend, we just got repeatedly undercut by folks happy to run either without cover or overloaded and ended up just binning it.
We were in the transport game in the 70s, 80s & 90s. It was great, even through ‘the troubles’ in the north it was still very lucrative. We had one attempted hi-jacking close to the border at Newry.
Like the troubles, it’s in the past. I wouldn’t go back if you paid me to. Too many rules and regulations and then you have the cowboys as mentioned above. Nostalgia just ain’t what it used to be.
Like the troubles, it’s in the past. I wouldn’t go back if you paid me to. Too many rules and regulations and then you have the cowboys as mentioned above. Nostalgia just ain’t what it used to be.
Huntsman said:
I did 30 years in industry with 25 days holiday, I'm 55 and drawing from my pension, I don't need to work, but I do want to. An extra net income of £20k a year would be amazing. I love being out on the road.
I want 50 days off, so I'll be hoping to work about 42 weeks.
Overnight stop no problem, late night occassionally no problem, 4am start, no problem.
I have a licence for 7.5tons.
I'm considering buying a Discovery 4 and trailer for small cars, and a boat trailer. I'd buy those cash. That looks pretty limited these days due to so many bigger heavier cars.
I'd also look at a lease or finance on a newer 7.5t beavertail for EV's, bigger SUV, 4x4 and small vans and campers.
I'd value and inputs from people that do it.
Tell me why I'd hate it or make no money.
3.5 tonnes towing capacity and a decent trailer can move most things. I want 50 days off, so I'll be hoping to work about 42 weeks.
Overnight stop no problem, late night occassionally no problem, 4am start, no problem.
I have a licence for 7.5tons.
I'm considering buying a Discovery 4 and trailer for small cars, and a boat trailer. I'd buy those cash. That looks pretty limited these days due to so many bigger heavier cars.
I'd also look at a lease or finance on a newer 7.5t beavertail for EV's, bigger SUV, 4x4 and small vans and campers.
I'd value and inputs from people that do it.
Tell me why I'd hate it or make no money.
5.2 tonnes Iveco down rated to 3.5 can too lol.
Why a boat trailer, cant see that being suitable for every boat or being worth the effort of buying and storage.
With no finance, patience, and not needing to chase money, liking being on the road, you will get work, maybe agency to start but you will find your regulars with the right attitude.
I do it, and get by.
Rushjob said:
A few thoughts
Trailer wise Brian James have several with 2.5 to 2.6 tonne carrying capacity.
Tachograph needed for Disco and trailer, same. for 7.5T beaver tail.
CPC
Market is saturated by Shiply etc
Goods in Transit insurance is getting rather expensive
Did this a few years back with a friend, we just got repeatedly undercut by folks happy to run either without cover or overloaded and ended up just binning it.
Thank you, I'll look at CPC.Trailer wise Brian James have several with 2.5 to 2.6 tonne carrying capacity.
Tachograph needed for Disco and trailer, same. for 7.5T beaver tail.
CPC
Market is saturated by Shiply etc
Goods in Transit insurance is getting rather expensive
Did this a few years back with a friend, we just got repeatedly undercut by folks happy to run either without cover or overloaded and ended up just binning it.
stinkyspanner said:
Where would you get work from? I've thought about this but have literally no contacts in the game so would be potentially bidding against all the chancers. .
Fair point.All the local garages and dealers, facebook, instagram, all the auction houses, everyone in classic cars and motorsport.
Doesitdrive said:
3.5 tonnes towing capacity and a decent trailer can move most things.
5.2 tonnes Iveco down rated to 3.5 can too lol.
Why a boat trailer, cant see that being suitable for every boat or being worth the effort of buying and storage.
With no finance, patience, and not needing to chase money, liking being on the road, you will get work, maybe agency to start but you will find your regulars with the right attitude.
I do it, and get by.
Thank you 5.2 tonnes Iveco down rated to 3.5 can too lol.
Why a boat trailer, cant see that being suitable for every boat or being worth the effort of buying and storage.
With no finance, patience, and not needing to chase money, liking being on the road, you will get work, maybe agency to start but you will find your regulars with the right attitude.
I do it, and get by.
What vehicle and trailer do you use?
The Iveco I mentioned but More are going the trailer route after getting nicked overweight.
I do trade plate deliveries too, for main agents, if its somewhere nice do at the weekend and take my girlfriend.
It suits me, I love driving, the truck is a good un, had transit, Nissan Renault, Sprinter, nothing is as good as the Iveco down rated, the 2.3 is more than adequate, never take it out of eco mode, averages over 30mpg, if I fancy putting it to the MPG test can get 38 on a trip loaded, great seat, automatic gearbox, aircon, its a pleasure to drive.
Not resorting to pulling trailers though.
If you do go 7.5 tonne, don't go beavertail, go tilt and slide.
You will always get work and good money, vans are always breaking down, van dealers want things moved around, purchase collection etc, Copart buyers , etc.
I have a friend who does it, and he never goes far, unlike me lol, I prefer going far.
I do trade plate deliveries too, for main agents, if its somewhere nice do at the weekend and take my girlfriend.
It suits me, I love driving, the truck is a good un, had transit, Nissan Renault, Sprinter, nothing is as good as the Iveco down rated, the 2.3 is more than adequate, never take it out of eco mode, averages over 30mpg, if I fancy putting it to the MPG test can get 38 on a trip loaded, great seat, automatic gearbox, aircon, its a pleasure to drive.
Not resorting to pulling trailers though.
If you do go 7.5 tonne, don't go beavertail, go tilt and slide.
You will always get work and good money, vans are always breaking down, van dealers want things moved around, purchase collection etc, Copart buyers , etc.
I have a friend who does it, and he never goes far, unlike me lol, I prefer going far.
Edited by Doesitdrive on Sunday 23 August 08:41
Doesitdrive said:
The Iveco I mentioned but More are going the trailer route after getting nicked overweight.
I do trade plate deliveries too, for main agents, if its somewhere nice do at the weekend and take my girlfriend.
It suits me, I love driving, the truck is a good un, had transit, Nissan Renault, Sprinter, nothing is as good as the Iveco down rated, the 2.3 is more than adequate, never take it out of eco mode, averages over 30mpg, if I fancy putting it to the MPG test can get 38 on a trip loaded, great seat, automatic gearbox, aircon, its a pleasure to drive.
Not resorting to pulling trailers though.
If you do go 7.5 tonne, don't go beavertail, go tilt and slide.
You will always get work and good money, vans are always breaking down, van dealers want things moved around, purchase collection etc, Copart buyers , etc.
I have a friend who does it, and he never goes far, unlike me lol, I prefer going far.
Thank you for taking the time to reply.I do trade plate deliveries too, for main agents, if its somewhere nice do at the weekend and take my girlfriend.
It suits me, I love driving, the truck is a good un, had transit, Nissan Renault, Sprinter, nothing is as good as the Iveco down rated, the 2.3 is more than adequate, never take it out of eco mode, averages over 30mpg, if I fancy putting it to the MPG test can get 38 on a trip loaded, great seat, automatic gearbox, aircon, its a pleasure to drive.
Not resorting to pulling trailers though.
If you do go 7.5 tonne, don't go beavertail, go tilt and slide.
You will always get work and good money, vans are always breaking down, van dealers want things moved around, purchase collection etc, Copart buyers , etc.
I have a friend who does it, and he never goes far, unlike me lol, I prefer going far.
Edited by Doesitdrive on Sunday 23 August 08:41
You will need an Operator's license as well on a Discovery as well as a tachograph. That's not easy now as you will have to employ an outside transport manager or get your TM CPC.
If you get a double cab pickup that is under a certain weight ( can't remember the exact figure) then it's o License exempt.
You can do recovery without O License, but you are limited to 45 miles from base.
I looked at it last year and it was insurance that was going to kill it.
I now work agency - I'm currently full time on 7.5t multi drop with DPD which keeps me fit.
If you get a double cab pickup that is under a certain weight ( can't remember the exact figure) then it's o License exempt.
You can do recovery without O License, but you are limited to 45 miles from base.
I looked at it last year and it was insurance that was going to kill it.
I now work agency - I'm currently full time on 7.5t multi drop with DPD which keeps me fit.
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