Too much weed in that microbus?

Independent - June 29, 2009: Car-hauler caught with 460 pounds of marijuana
Car-hauler caught with 460 pounds of marijuana

I'm telling you, it's just not worth whatever they're saying they'll pay you to haul certain loads.

Cash for clunkers law could jumpstart auto sales

AutoNation Says ‘Clunker Law’ May Boost Sales by 10% (Update1) - Bloomberg.com
June 25 (Bloomberg) -- AutoNation Inc. said the “cash-for- clunkers” law President Barack Obama signed may increase new- vehicle sales at the largest publicly traded U.S. auto retailer by 10 percent through year end.

Another Maag & Wendler lawsuit.

Car hauler sues workers' comp administrator over discovery of private med info | Madison/St. Clair Record

Car hauler sues workers' comp administrator over discovery of private med info

6/18/2009 2:22 PM
By Kelly Holleran

A car hauler says he has been damaged by more than $100,000 after his workers' compensation administrator discovered some of his confidential medical information.

Chester Belleville says he began receiving workers' compensation from Zurich Services Corporation on March 18, 2008, after he was injured while working as a car hauler.

Jack Cooper Lawsuit

Injured car haulers target Jack Cooper Transport | Madison/St. Clair Record
Injured car haulers target Jack Cooper Transport

6/19/2009 12:33 PM
By Kelly Holleran

Two car haulers and their wives are suing an employee of Jack Cooper Transport, alleging the haulers fell while walking on the rigs of trailers.

Gary and Diana Smith and John and Jackie Street filed two separate lawsuits June 11 in Madison County Circuit Court against Roger Owens.

The Smiths say Gary Smith was performing his normal duties as a car hauler on Oct. 30, 2007, when he was injured while maneuvering on the upper deck of the rig.

The Streets say John Street fell while using a Cotrell rig on Oct. 26, 2007.

The rigs were supposed to have a non-skid paint surface, but the Smiths allege many Jack Cooper Transport employees have been injured while walking on the upper deck of rigs in attempt to accomplish their trucking duties.

"Jack Cooper Transport and its officers, directors and supervisors have been aware for many years that its employees claim to have been injured in the above described manner and may bring product liability lawsuits," the complaints say. "Jack Cooper Transport has participated in such lawsuits both formally and informally over the years."

So after Gary Smith's and John Street's falls, Roger Owens, the Jack Cooper Transport employee named as a defendant, ordered the trailers on which the men fell to be refurbished after their accidents, according to the complaints.

Owens failed to preserve the trailer on which Gary Smith fell, according to the complaint.

Now, the trailer as it existed on the date of Gary Smith's accident is unavailable for forensic analysis and Gary Smith and John Street say they could potentially lose their rights to compensation.
The Smiths and the Streets are each seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Peter J. Maag of Wendler Law in Edwardsville will be representing them.

Nowhere to go but up?

Car buyers may be cautiously coming back - Autos- msnbc.com
May sales data appeared to confirm a bottoming in the U.S. car market, however. On Tuesday, Ford Motor Co. reported a 24 percent drop in U.S. sales for May, but sales were up 20 percent from April. GM's sales in May fell 30 percent versus a year ago, but were up 11 percent from April.

Jack Cooper Lawsuit

Madison County Record | Jack Cooper Transport sued by car hauler
Jack Cooper Transport sued by car hauler

6/4/2009 12:43 PM
By Kelly Holleran

A Missouri resident and his wife have filed suit against the company that trained the man, alleging his back was injured because of car hauler work he performed.

William Henderson and Angie Henderson say William Henderson was injured while operating ratchet tie down systems in November 2007 for his employer, Jack Cooper Transport Company.  (click link to read more)

I think Wendler & Maag are some of the attorneys working on this-- same ones who went after Cassens, Cottrell, et. al. 

Portland car hauler repair shop

Didn't realize this, but Gary and Curtis up at Pacific Coast Truck and Trailer have now passed their five year mark in business. They specialize in car hauler repair, and perform warranty work on Cottrells. They also have a Take 3 trailers, and stock a few trailers at their shop. They are right off I-5, so if you're heading through Portland and need a hydraulic repair or some welding, keep them in mind. For those of you who used to use the Boydstun repair shop, you'll appreciate that they are much closer to the highway! Here's their phone number, just to make life easier for you. (866) 335-3707

Where will the GM cars be hauled?

GM says it will try to close 2,100 dealerships as part of reorganization - San Jose Mercury News

Somebody said they needed cars to haul?

OK, so now they're talking about closing 2100 dealerships instead of the 1100 they were talking about last month. The question that springs to my mind is this: Where are all those cars going to go? Other dealers? Back to GM? Are they going to sink them off the coast of Florida and create valuable habitat for marine life?

It's rumored that the units will go back to GM, and then be re-distributed to the remaining dealers. Seems more likely that this would happen on paper, rather than at fifty cents a mile. Even if they apportion cars on paper, and then transfer [physically, not financially] dealer to dealer, it's still a huge logistical problem.

Who is going to broker out these loads? The Secretary of the Treasury?

I don't think so. If I had to bet, I'd lay money on your good old neighborhood delivery man: UPS. For years, UPS has sent their consultants into some of the largest manufacturers in the US to squeeze cost out of their inbound and outbound logistics chains. If I was looking to sell the services of my large fleet of auto transport trucks, I'd be calling 1-800-PICK-UPS and trying to find out how to get on their short list of service providers.

GM Bankruptcy

BBC NEWS | Business | GM enters bankruptcy protection
What this means for car haulers pulling GM product is anybody's guess.

GM bankruptcy a foregone conclusion?

Light & Medium Truck | Report: U.S. to Steer GM toward Bankruptcy

Report: U.S. to Steer GM toward Bankruptcy

By Light & Medium Truck

The Obama administration is preparing to send General Motors into bankruptcy as early as this week under a plan that would give the automaker tens of billions of dollars more in government loans as it works to restructure its operations and relieve its heavy debt load, The Washington Post reported

Beware the busted cylinder beast!

A busted cylinder can cost you time and money, usually at the time you can least afford it.

Unnecessary Tragedy

Boydstun Shuts Doors?

Our Store Is Closed

Our Store Is Closed
To all our valued customers, On behalf of our owner Rob Boydstun and the parts sales team we regret to inform you that after 20 years of business we are having to close our doors. Thank you for all your patronage and support. Boydstun Metal Works

Left a message at their main number yesterday and today, but nobody returned my phone call to comment on the text posted on the parts page on their website.

Fahrvergnügen = Farfrommoving?

Heard there are around 15,000 Volkswagens down in San Diego. The growth business in So Cal seems to involve trips to vacant lots.