Auto Transporters

Auto Transporters

High sided auto transport

Auto transporters, also known as car carriers or car haulers are units specially designed to haul cars safely and efficiently. Most auto transporters use a system of hydraulically powered ramps to drive the cars on and off the trailer. Cars are secured with with tie-down ratchets or wheel straps. The truck driver drives the cars on and off and adjusts the ramps as needed.

Auto transporters come in low sided and high sided models. The high sided versions have the most versatility. They can carry up to nine cars.

low sided auto transport

Many of these trucks have a stinger steered fifth wheel arrangement. That means that the fifth wheel hitch is located behind and below the rear axle. This allows better maneuverabilty and makes room for more cargo.

Stinger Steered fifth wheel

Tractors that have racks attach are called head units. Three average sized vehicles fit on a head unit.

Head Unit

"Hot Shot" transporters are designed to haul fewer cars. They move vehicles for individuals, businesses, or insurance companies and are used when a full size transporter is unnecessary.

hot shot transporter

Before stinger-steered units, Auto transporters used the traditional fifth wheel configuration. They operated with or without head units.

transporter with traditional fifth wheel arrangement.

 

Enclosed auto transporters are similar to other auto carriers beneath their fiberglass, aluminum and vinyl skin. They offer better protection to the vehicles inside. Vinyl curtains open to make the loading and unloading easier.

enclosed auto transporter

Cars with very little ground clearance or very high value require yet another style of transporter. These trailers are equipped with a liftgate that is capable of lifting the car in a horizontal position to an upper or lower deck within the trailer.

Special enclosed auto transporter

When trucks are being transported. A completely different arrangement is needed. The most efficient way to transport three semi tractors (or four cab-and-chassis) is the saddle mount arrangement. Trucks are bolted to each other using special hardware.

Saddle mount.

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