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.
Been my game 20 yrs.
www.lizardlogistics.com
It's an incredibly overcrowded market, 20 yrs ago, or even 10 I'd not have said that & the peanuts people are prepared to work for boggles my brain.
Costs wise insurance is the big one. Depending on cover you are after you might get it under £6k a yr as a newbie.
Tacho is ballpark £1500-£2k, Operators licence ballpark £1k to get & an external TM at £450/pcm or do the test yourself. Driver CPC is £500 odd & a waste of a week of your life (not needed fora van or disco& trailer). Is the option to run on a restricted licence & no TM, is illegal obvs, but folks do it.
I can't see you clearing £20k a yr tbh, maybe if you improperly insure, don't get a TM & work 6 days a wk 50 wks a yr & do a lot of jobs for peanuts, but not for the short hours you want to do.
Boats is a different niche to vehicles, have moved a few, but are also lots in that game, is good dosh for long distance stuff, if you have a bunch of trailers.
www.lizardlogistics.com
It's an incredibly overcrowded market, 20 yrs ago, or even 10 I'd not have said that & the peanuts people are prepared to work for boggles my brain.
Costs wise insurance is the big one. Depending on cover you are after you might get it under £6k a yr as a newbie.
Tacho is ballpark £1500-£2k, Operators licence ballpark £1k to get & an external TM at £450/pcm or do the test yourself. Driver CPC is £500 odd & a waste of a week of your life (not needed fora van or disco& trailer). Is the option to run on a restricted licence & no TM, is illegal obvs, but folks do it.
I can't see you clearing £20k a yr tbh, maybe if you improperly insure, don't get a TM & work 6 days a wk 50 wks a yr & do a lot of jobs for peanuts, but not for the short hours you want to do.
Boats is a different niche to vehicles, have moved a few, but are also lots in that game, is good dosh for long distance stuff, if you have a bunch of trailers.
Edited by iguana on Sunday 23 August 21:44
Unless you've got good established contacts hire and reward transport of all sizes and weights is about finished.
In heavy stuff you have the giant logistics mobs who've undercut to the nth degree and because of size can buy vehicle fuel and drivers at lower costs than others.
In smaller stuff, parcels couriers car carrying etc (i know bugger all about boats other than they're money pits) the market is swamped, not helped by so many living basically out of the vehicle on the cheap, that market got ruined by east european based vans with cab sleeping pods literally sitting waiting for work.
I've known several skilled car transporter drivers tried going on their own with trailers and van/trailer carrying 2 vehicles, only one still doing it more or less for something to do (house paid for well sorted etc) and he has all the good contacts, the rest drifted back onto full size transporter driving, another game where one large outfit more or less runs the show.
If you fancy doing something decently paid part time consider getting your class 1 HGV (can go straight to class 1 as was the case before), plenty of agency work about, it'll be meagre at first but once you get known as reliable can communicate and don't wreck the kit and no longer a newby you'll find better paid work.
In heavy stuff you have the giant logistics mobs who've undercut to the nth degree and because of size can buy vehicle fuel and drivers at lower costs than others.
In smaller stuff, parcels couriers car carrying etc (i know bugger all about boats other than they're money pits) the market is swamped, not helped by so many living basically out of the vehicle on the cheap, that market got ruined by east european based vans with cab sleeping pods literally sitting waiting for work.
I've known several skilled car transporter drivers tried going on their own with trailers and van/trailer carrying 2 vehicles, only one still doing it more or less for something to do (house paid for well sorted etc) and he has all the good contacts, the rest drifted back onto full size transporter driving, another game where one large outfit more or less runs the show.
If you fancy doing something decently paid part time consider getting your class 1 HGV (can go straight to class 1 as was the case before), plenty of agency work about, it'll be meagre at first but once you get known as reliable can communicate and don't wreck the kit and no longer a newby you'll find better paid work.
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