Car Haulers

[Former Wrench]

I live near a discharge port for new cars. Ships will unload 6-8 thousand new cars per shipment. They leave by rail and truck. I have noticed that better than half of the trucks are low-profile Pete's. I understand the desire to keep the load low, but not the overwhelming choice of Pete's. They are great trucks in my opinion, I just don't understand their popularity for car hauling. Any clues?

 

[Mike L]

Don’t have an answer but I agree that most of the car haulers i see are Pete’s

 

[mowingman]

Maybe the other brands do not have an option for building a low-profile truck. Now that you mentioned it, it makes me wonder too.

 

[CM1995]

See a lot of Volvos around here hauling new cars.

 

[Steve Frazier]

Most cars are hauled by independent haulers today. In years past they were hauled by auto freight companies like Anchor Motor Freight. Nu-Way is another company I remember. Not sure what caused the change to independents but like you mention many of them are Petes. I do remember White made a low profile truck with a lowered roof line for this purpose. It could be that Peterbilt has gone after the market with a truck that works well in the application.

 

[4x4ford]

Have jack cooper around here hauling for gm usually in older sterlings that look like they are about to fall apart

 

[cfherrman]

I think sterlings came out like that factory

 

[crane operator]

Pete makes a custom short cab with short doors and sleeper just for car haulers, so they can fit a car over the cab.

They have a custom low steer axle on them, and I think the show truck guys use those when they drop the trucks for the "low rider" look.

Peterbilt Introduces Model 567 UltraLow Roof Day Cab & Model 589 UltraLow Roof 58-Inch Sleeper for Car Carrier Applications

Peterbilt Introduces Model 567 UltraLow Roof Day Cab & Model 589 UltraLow Roof 58-Inch Sleeper for Car Carrier Applications

www.peterbilt.com

 

[cuttin edge]

At one time Peterbilt was the highway truckers dream. That or a KW. Not sure if they are still hand built or not. I'd take an 80s style 359 or 379 any day over a Cascadia

 

[Tyler d4c]

I think sterlings came out like that factory

Aways hatin on pretty good trucks

 

[cfherrman]

Everyone I have seen has not had a good life, people that spend a bunch of money on trucks take care of their trucks, people who cheap out......

 

[Tyler d4c]

Everyone I have seen has not had a good life, people that spend a bunch of money on trucks take care of their trucks, people who cheap out......

Same as anything else.