I am getting my CDL and will be looking for loads. I have a 2002 GMC 3500 Crew Cab long bed. What would you recommend for a flatbed trailer length to pull with this? I am in Presque Isle Maine and would like to haul in the northeast area. Pictures (http://www.northernlightsmotel.com/truck.htm)

Depends on what you are planning to haul. You said you will be looking for loads, if you are planning on hauling with no dot numbers and your combined gross wt is over 26,001 lbs., good luck. Here in Texas the DOT is really cracking down on illegal hauling and the fine is really high, $1,000+. Get the trailer for what you are planning to haul, just remember, if your CGVW goes over 26,001 lbs., you are running under the same rules as the 18 wheelers, log books, rest time, and pulling into the scales. Think about it.

Thanks, thats true and I do know that even under 26 k cgvw and your for hire traveling more than 100 miles you still need a dot physical and log book. I am just looking for advice from guys that haul for a living and want to know what they use for a trailer size. Just looking for a common ground with that.

Duramax Driver, you're exactly right.


The Co. I work for has a Freightshaker boxvan tagged at 26,000. When we drive it more than 100mi, gotta take the DOT health card, log book, run through the scales.


No CDL is required so long as < 26k and no air brakes.


Edited by: CStone

I would go at least 30'. Anything shorter than that you are limiting what you can haul. I custom haul a little, but everything I haul is agricultural or at least that is what I say.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif If you are planning on making a living at it you might want to go even 40' This is a big trailer for a p/u though.

Regularly deliver 41ft. + portable classroom trailers over 12" high. I agree with Grey'. They look huge behind a pickup. They actually tow easier on the open road than the smaller 34-36 footers I also deliver. I think it's related to having three axles instead of two.

Thanks for the input I think I am going to buy a 36 ft tandem axel trailer. At least that will give me 20k gvw. A couple of mills here are looking for people to haul wood for local delivery.

Duramax Driver





Let us know what brand trailer you buy and pic's is possible.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


Thanks


Cosgrovehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I plan to drive hotshot in the future. I will be starting off
with a flatbed. Interested in any information anyone wishes
to share with me on this. Miles, hours, type of trucks, type
of beds, companies, problems, etc......

braz

Once you start hauling you have to watch your weight and mileage both. I do know that in maine if your hauling for hire and your traveling over 100 miles from home then you will need to have a dot physical and keep a log book just like the big rigs. Also keep in mind, for instance I have a GMC 3500 Dually with a gvw of 11,400 and a flatbed trailer with tandem axels rated for 14k, this puts me at
25, 400 lbs just under the CDL limit without putting on a load. Most companies want you to load a little more than that, usually around 20k for a hotshot trailer. Also your subject to the 10 hour work rule and if you travel into another state you will need a dot number assigned. Plenty to consider, as I am currently in class for my CDL.

Thank You for replying Rick. I was not aware of the 100 mile
rule until recently. Since I plan to haul a 750 mile radius starting
off, I fall under that category. More or less up to date on the new
hours rule thanks to Landline. You said 10 hours of driving, and I thought it
was eleven now. The time loading and whatever counts towards
your total of 14 hours from the start of your day, which is a kicker.

Sorry about not making myself clear about flatbed, I do not plan
to trailer starting off. Only going to use the flatbed on the truck.

What type of school are you attending?

Saw in the paper this morning that the DPS inspected 3,968 trucks in Texas(or was it
Brazoria county alone) betweeen June 8th & 10th. They found 1171 violations and put
157 out of service. I don't want to be one of those ever. I talk to one of the inpsectors
about once a month. He has been helpful also.

Please add anything else you think I would find interesting. And that is most of it.

Edited by: brazos

I am attending the Northern Maine Community College CDL Driver course. They have an evening class right now that I am attending which is Tue and Thur evenings and all Day saturday. We are finishing up with the classroom portion this week, and then will start hands on driving and road time. They have us test for our permit and when we complete the course we have a CDL with Hazmat, Tanker, and Doubles & Triples endorsements. I have my eye on a Freightliner Sport Chassis as I want to contract out to haul RV's around the country for different manufacturers. My wife will be taking the class in the fall so we can team drive.

Actually guys I beleive that the DOT now allows 11 of drive time and 14 hours of on duty time. Also a 1 day 16 hour of drive time per week for a short haul driver. There are also longer off duty hours now that range from with 10 hours to 34 hours of off duty time.





The best place to look at the information is at





http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/Home_Files/revised_hos.asp





Property-Carrying CMV drivers may not drive:
<UL>
<LI>More than 11 hours, following 10 hours off-duty.
<LI>Beyond the 14th hour after coming on-duty, following 10 hours off-duty.
<LI>After 60/70 hours on-duty in 7/8 consecutive days.


- A driver may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty</LI>[/list]


The 60/70 hour rule is also in effect.. the maxium hours are 60 in 7 days or 70 in 8 days


The hours of service did change this year on Jan 1 2004








Pete

New HOS ( hours of service) Rule. Once you start driving or working the 14 hour clock starts. No more than 11 hours driving and 3 hours on duty.. Or if you work 6 hours you can only drive 8 hours. After 14 hours you must take 10 off. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Hope this helps.


Cosgrovehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gifEdited by: TCosgrove

Good Luck


If you are a virgin when it comes to a CDL.


ALot of places require that you have at least 6 months OTR, before they can even insure you. To them OTR means at least 2 nights or more in 7 days away from home, and oh yeah running one of those GD Log Books (known as a comic book in business).

If you mean me Silverstroke, that is correct. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


And I have spent the last 13 months picking the brains of everyone I meet who is in the business. Plus getting to know the local terminal people. And every bit of information is appreciated.

One of the advantages of having been around, is learning to listen.

I have been looking at the RV Transport industry http://www.horizontransport.com/ to haul around the country. They seen to pay well and say that they have a good backhaul history. Anyone ever hauled for them?

Duramax,


I know a guy who hauls out of Elkhart, IN, not sure for who though, he hauls campers. He only hauls one way though, no backhauls, so you deadhead alot. He is in the process of buying a trailer so he can haul pop up campers. they have some pretty strict rules though, the trailer has to be 53' long and 102" wide, has to have a 10k winch, trolley track in the center, and a 8' dovetail.


Another place you can try is Jones motor group, their tracer division. Try that and let me know. I checked into it myself, so I have some more info and contacts if you want it.

Sure I could use all the contacts you can provide. Being new to this I like to do as much research as possible. Thanks