What is best setup for scrapping cars? Debating between pickup with trailer and winch or sticking with tow truck (and flat bed when necessary)?
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What is best setup for scrapping cars? Debating between pickup with trailer and winch or sticking with tow truck (and flat bed when necessary)?
I did a search and came up with quite a few results: "car trailer"
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/...pse5966789.jpg
Truck and trailer is most versatile.
Tow Trucks and Rollbacks make your pickups easier
Insurance, Plating and such on Rollbacks and Tow Trucks are usually a barrier to profit unless you run a full-time wrecker service.
That's the answer in a nutshell!
It depends on what you are buying.If buying alot of wrecked cars then a trailer with a winch is a must or a rollback.But rollback insurance is high.
If u are buying ones that the tires can be aired up and are looking to start cheap then get a tow dolly.They work great for junks.
Also with a trailer and or tow dolly you want a 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton.
Definitely It'll depend upon your requirement...
I have both. On my rollback I have not for hire on the sides and its registered as a flatbed. Its insured like just a regular flatbed big truck. Not bad at all.
A lot of it has to do with the size of the vehicle. I owned a 1 Ton box van, and the insurance on it was double the cost of my old Dodge D250 (3/4 ton truck, rated to tow about 7000# max). You don't need to insure a trailer, and the plates in our state are very cheap for our old trailer (About $20 annually), so it would be much cheaper to have a truck and trailer in our state.
Is states with axle tolls and other factors, it could be completely different. There is never any "One size fits all" solution to vehicles.
In order of preference and ease I use a chain with pipe, tow bar, and finally gooseneck with winch. If I was hauling vehicles full time it would be a goose neck flat bed with a winch.
Double axle Trailer with winch and 3/4 or better 4x4 truck. Mine is a 454 which isn't necessary, but lets me run at highway speeds and merge without being killed. Problem with a dolly is you can't back up with a car on it, and you are relying on the cars tires and axle which can and do fail. Also, cars come loose on dollys and get squirrelly at higher speeds. All it takes is a wet yard to stop a 2 wheel drive truck and trailer in its tracks, making everyone angry. I would love a wrecker though.
If you are just starting off go with the dolly, cheap, effective and handy. I still load my 8ft box on the truck and jam pack the car...for maximum results.
I agree with what DW said, I'd like to add that it does take some time to get used to it. Mine does not like backing up, too hard on the straps and it does not like to make sharp turns either.
And when you are empty, they jump all over the road (no suspension). I've witnessed mine jump about 6ft in the air going over a rail crossing.
Rules vary by State/Provinces and CountryQuote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the tow doily does not get / have tags (exempt from registration requirements) >> SO any vehicle strapped to a tow dolly has to have a current registration
So you couldn't put a junk car on there unless it was still registered and insured
I have yet to pick up a junk car that was still registered and insured when I towed it away
Tow Dolly:
Is defined as: “A portable, collapsible or separate two-wheel tow dolly limited only to the purpose of transporting or towing a registered vehicle.”
A Dealer may tow a vehicle on a two-wheel tow-dolly if the towed-vehicle displays a “Dealer” plate but the towing-vehicle cannot display a “Dealer” plate or a “passenger plate” but should display a “commercial plate.”
A Repairer displaying “commercial plates” on the towing-vehicle can tow a vehicle on a two-wheel tow-dolly but the towed-vehicle must be properly registered or have the “Repair” plate displayed on the towed-vehicle. A Repairer displaying “Repair” plates on the towing-vehicle can tow a vehicle on a two-wheel tow-dolly without plates on the towed-vehicle if the towing-vehicle is properly registered, displays the valid repair plate, maintains insurance which also provides coverage for the motor vehicle being towed on the dolly and displays a valid compliance decal.
A Transporter can tow a vehicle on a two-wheeled tow-dolly if the vehicle being towed displays the “Transporter” plate. The towing-vehicle must be properly registered (not a passenger registration).
An Owner-Contractor generally will have vehicles that will be too large for towing on a two-wheeled tow-dolly but if the registrant does have one that safely fits it needs to display the O/C plate and the towing-vehicle must also display the O/C plate.
Tow dollies themselves are exempt from registration requirements.
Also this thread is almost 2 years old
Yes the rules do change. Here you have to register the dolly as a trailer and plate it. So the vehicle in tow does not need a plate.
I can load non-running vehicles by myself without a winch as long as it rolls. Key is the right speed in neutral with the vehicle door open and pushing on the door frame and steering to get it up on the ramps and into the dip/recess. Nice to have a buddy around though makes it easier.