Becoming a Car Transporter

[nggt]

Hi Everyone
Looking for some advice on becoming a car transporter with a trailer behind a van or 4x4. I have my B+E licence and have plenty of experience towing heavy loads as I used to deliver Mini diggers. I am aware there will be insurances for transporting vehicle and goods in transit insurance along with other business needs. My question is, is there a way of getting steady work through a transport company or are website like shiply the main source of work.
I am looking into this to get flexible work whilst I go back to College 2 days a week.

Many thanks

Nick

[Rod200SX]

Shiply is good but last time I got a quote through it I recieved about 20 quotes from different folk/companies! Where I am the best thing seems to be word of mouth. There's quite a few folk who's names pop up regularly when someone asks for a recommendation on facebook and the likes.

Potentially worth asking the likes of smaller car dealers or traders to keep you in mind. Might keep some regular work.

[BrettMRC]

You will need a place in France and a decent BMW or Audi saloon.

[Triumph Man]

BrettMRC said:

You will need a place in France and a decent BMW or Audi saloon.

But don't ever look in the package.

[Richard-390a0]

Good luck in your possible venture I'd recommend a decent camera phone or gopro type thing also so you can record the condition of the vehicle at collection & drop off.

[normalbloke]

It’s a flooded market,with the likes of Shipley assisting the race to the bottom. Do your research thoroughly,and try to find a niche that will work, if not, do something else. You may also be into tacho territory,WTD etc etc.

[Max5476]

If you are towing you will need a tacho and to abide by EU driving hours regulations.

If you did it within the legislation I suspect you would struggle to make a profit competing on Shiply.

[Mikebentley]

I’m very disappointed as I thought you were really a Transformer.

[figtree]

Mikebentley said:

I’m very disappointed as I thought you were really a Transformer.

[Russ T Bolt]

normalbloke said:

It’s a flooded market,with the likes of Shipley assisting the race to the bottom. Do your research thoroughly,and try to find a niche that will work, if not, do something else. You may also be into tacho territory,WTD etc etc.

I was considering buying a C63 from a dealer in Scotland last year. I was undergoing Chemo so couldn't go up to drive it back.

I asked for quotes to collect on a trailer (ideally covered) on a number of quote sites.

Didn't get a single quote for what I asked, had loads of people quoting to drive it down.

[nggt]

Thanks for the reply,
I have seen a few shady reports from Shiply of cars disappearing after collection. I thought the covered trailer would be a market sector worth working towards as they are extremely expensive starting out. I’ll ask else whereAs other comments here are full of opinions and zero fact
Hope you are better from your treatment

[normalbloke]

nggt said:

Thanks for the reply,
I have seen a few shady reports from Shiply of cars disappearing after collection. I thought the covered trailer would be a market sector worth working towards as they are extremely expensive starting out. I’ll ask else whereAs other comments here are full of opinions and zero fact
Hope you are better from your treatment

I hope you find the answers you want to hear elsewhere. Good luck on your venture and investment.

[Drawweight]

There’s a guy on my local Facebook page does transporting, recovery to garages, uplifting scrap cars. Basically anything that’ll fit on a car transporter. He seems to have a good reputation.

It may pay you to diversify

If I was needing any of the above that’s where I’d look for somebody local.

[nggt]

Nice one 👍🏻

[cossy400]

Facebook group im on, the woman that runs it her son does this Beavertail Transit and a trailer, and collects fro Copart and such like and delivers to where ever.

[untakenname]

Can't see how there's any money in it at the low end of the sector, last time I got a car transported it cost less than a pound per mile!