Click here to go to wheel straps on Ebay.
Click here to go to auto hauler straps for classic car transport in Hemmings classified section.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Car Hauler News Exclusive: Slip Plate (TM) Has Competition!
Time was, Slip Plate brand graphite lubricant was the graphite to lubricate your carhauler's posts and decks. Carhauler News has found that another major graphite manufacturer has jumped into the carhauler market with both feet first. Asbury Graphite, a division of Asbury Carbon, is now producing a product called Slide 'n Glide. It has a mineral spirit base, which means it can be shipped by regular UPS-- no more $82 freight bills for one gallon!
Asbury Graphite is an OEM supplier to Cottrell Trailers.
Once the busy season gets over, you guys know you should get back to the shop and sand off those old posts and put on some fresh graphite! Asbury Graphite sells Slide and Glide in gallons and quarts, as well as spray cans.
If you're a diehard Slip Plate fan, I think CF Bender has the best price and delivery.
If you want to try the new Slide and Glide or Slide 'n Glide graphite for carhaulers, you can buy it from the following companies:
The Graphite Store
Truck and Tow
The Car Hauler Super Store
Autohauler Supply
Asbury Graphite is an OEM supplier to Cottrell Trailers.
Once the busy season gets over, you guys know you should get back to the shop and sand off those old posts and put on some fresh graphite! Asbury Graphite sells Slide and Glide in gallons and quarts, as well as spray cans.
If you're a diehard Slip Plate fan, I think CF Bender has the best price and delivery.
If you want to try the new Slide and Glide or Slide 'n Glide graphite for carhaulers, you can buy it from the following companies:
The Graphite Store
Truck and Tow
The Car Hauler Super Store
Autohauler Supply
Friday, September 02, 2005
Kia
Kia Motor Corporation is currently discussing to build a production plant in the state of Mississippi in the United States. A group official announced that “We will decide whether to set up the plant and craft detailed plans after considering the scale of the U.S. market and its prospects”. If the plans are executed the corporation will have production facilities in three major auto markets by 2010 as it already has a Chinese plant plus a Slovakian plant due for completion next year.
Date : 2005-08-19 08:54:38 (from EUKOR website)
Date : 2005-08-19 08:54:38 (from EUKOR website)
Thursday, September 01, 2005
KATRINA UPDATE: Lost port’s massive ripple effect
KATRINA UPDATE: Lost port’s massive ripple effect: "To handle this enormous flow of goods, New Orleans has become the
country’s most intermodal port. About 75 truck lines, 50 ocean
carriers, 16 barge lines and six class one rail lines help to move
cargo in and out of the port, an average of 11.2-million tons per year.
No wonder Standard & Poor’s estimated on Tuesday that Katrina could
slightly lower the entire nation’s economic growth for the third
quarter."
country’s most intermodal port. About 75 truck lines, 50 ocean
carriers, 16 barge lines and six class one rail lines help to move
cargo in and out of the port, an average of 11.2-million tons per year.
No wonder Standard & Poor’s estimated on Tuesday that Katrina could
slightly lower the entire nation’s economic growth for the third
quarter."
Carhaul Network
Carhaul Network is now online. Their subscription service gives you the opportunity to look for cars on their load board. They also have a detailed links page with DOT information relating to safety and compliance issues. Other loadboards on the web:
Cars Arrive (I don't think they offer free trial) http://www.carsarrive.com/ca_home_flash.htm
I don't know these guys, but their website looks pretty slick.
CarloadUSA (does offer free trial) http://www.carloadusa.com/
This one is run by my buddy, Roland. Last time I checked, it had 2,300 loads to choose from.
Central Dispatch (does offer free trial) http://www.centraldispatch.com/
I haven't looked at their board, but I've heard several guys say they use them.
If you're looking for extra cars to fill out a load, I think these types of services can be pretty useful. If you have three slots a month you fill because of them, that more than pays for the subscription.
Bloomberg.com: Top Worldwide
Bloomberg.com: Top Worldwide: "GM's U.S. Sales Fall; Ford's Rise Less Than Expected (Update6)"
Carhauler News Prediction: Toyota buys GM within the next 30 months.
Carhauler News Prediction: Toyota buys GM within the next 30 months.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
U.S. Will Tap SPR; Some Wholesale Fuel Rationing Begins
U.S. Will Tap SPR; Some Wholesale Fuel Rationing Begins
Future economic historians may look back on Hurricane Katrina as the start of the 2006-07 recession.
This hurricane may prove to be so disruptive that it tips the US economy over into a major correction of equity markets and regional housing bubbles.
10% of US refinery capacity is in areas affected by the storm. Ports have been damaged. Oil rigs have been damaged. Highways have been damaged.
That means that farmers may have to spend more getting their crops to market, i.e., sending them by more expensive rail links rather than barge. That puts more upward pressure on fuel prices.
Granted, there will be a rebuilding boom in construction, but for right now, there will be a lot of people without jobs.
My guess is that the net effect of this will be higher fuel prices, regional shortages. At least one major airline will go out of business permanently or be purchased by asset strippers. Domestic car manufacturers will see an absolutely dismal fourth quarter, the result of "Employee Pricing" flushing the fall buyers out early as well as the results of having put most of their eggs in the truck/SUV basket. The new hybrid pickups that generate their own 110V power should sell like hotcakes as the reconstruction of the South takes off.
Expect layoffs in the airline industry, auto manufacturing (and those who supply them). As the regional real estate bubbles collapse, expect layoffs in this industry, as well as sharply increased foreclosure as speculators get caught having bought at the top of the bubble.
As people's paper wealth deflates, they will be more conservative regarding their spending, and Christmas 2005 should be disappointing for retailers. Watch for Wal-Mart to significantly miss earnings forecasts.
As earnings decline, watch for the equity market to turn bearish. Money may start flowing into bonds as the Treasury Department has to unload increasing quantities of debt to finance the ever-increasing budget deficit. That means a lot of people with variable rate mortgages are in for some painful surprises. Watch for gold to go up, up, up.
What does this mean for our industry? Well, if you're a manufacturer, be prepared for canceled orders. If you're an owner operator, look for that fuel cost to gobble a bigger chunk of your gross. In general, however, people are still going to need to move cars around. There may just be fewer cars to move around for a little while. It's not really the end of the world, but it could be the beginning of the next recession.
Future economic historians may look back on Hurricane Katrina as the start of the 2006-07 recession.
This hurricane may prove to be so disruptive that it tips the US economy over into a major correction of equity markets and regional housing bubbles.
10% of US refinery capacity is in areas affected by the storm. Ports have been damaged. Oil rigs have been damaged. Highways have been damaged.
That means that farmers may have to spend more getting their crops to market, i.e., sending them by more expensive rail links rather than barge. That puts more upward pressure on fuel prices.
Granted, there will be a rebuilding boom in construction, but for right now, there will be a lot of people without jobs.
My guess is that the net effect of this will be higher fuel prices, regional shortages. At least one major airline will go out of business permanently or be purchased by asset strippers. Domestic car manufacturers will see an absolutely dismal fourth quarter, the result of "Employee Pricing" flushing the fall buyers out early as well as the results of having put most of their eggs in the truck/SUV basket. The new hybrid pickups that generate their own 110V power should sell like hotcakes as the reconstruction of the South takes off.
Expect layoffs in the airline industry, auto manufacturing (and those who supply them). As the regional real estate bubbles collapse, expect layoffs in this industry, as well as sharply increased foreclosure as speculators get caught having bought at the top of the bubble.
As people's paper wealth deflates, they will be more conservative regarding their spending, and Christmas 2005 should be disappointing for retailers. Watch for Wal-Mart to significantly miss earnings forecasts.
As earnings decline, watch for the equity market to turn bearish. Money may start flowing into bonds as the Treasury Department has to unload increasing quantities of debt to finance the ever-increasing budget deficit. That means a lot of people with variable rate mortgages are in for some painful surprises. Watch for gold to go up, up, up.
What does this mean for our industry? Well, if you're a manufacturer, be prepared for canceled orders. If you're an owner operator, look for that fuel cost to gobble a bigger chunk of your gross. In general, however, people are still going to need to move cars around. There may just be fewer cars to move around for a little while. It's not really the end of the world, but it could be the beginning of the next recession.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Ratchet Wheel Straps
If recent sales of ratchet wheel straps to VW overflow carriers is any indication, it could be that the days of the cluster chain are numbered. How long before Toyota logistics goes this direction? I don't think the Cottrell lawsuit had anything to do with it, but the movement of the industry away from 1/4 diameter grade 70 cluster chains to 5/16" grade 70 cluster chains may fuel still further sales of the ratchet wheel straps. (Who wants that extra weight?)
Boydstun trailers now come with strap, at least the Boydstun trailer with screw actuator. With less weight from hydraulic line and chains, they estimate between 1000-2000 lbs of saved weight, depending on configuration. Don't know if the Cottrell screw trailer has the same weight savings or not.
Looks like the foreign car makers got complaints from their dealers about damage, which caused them to go to the soft ties. (Porsche, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen and BMW are among the few that come to mind, and I'm sure I'm missing some.)
Word is that General Motors is contemplating switching somewhere around 2007 if the rumor mill is accurate, which it rarely is.
Seems like the planets are getting lined up to make this a strap-on world before too long.
Here's a few places that sell ratchet wheel straps:
CF Bender Stocks for immediate delivery. Midwest US
Autohauler Supply New online catalog. Ships direct from manufacturer in Michigan.
Cottrell Many parts available for online ordering. Georgia.
Delavan Quicker delivery time and less shipping if you're in NY area
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Allied Bankruptcy: If you need to collect money from them, you need to read this.
Somebody sent me a link to this document. I didn't know if he wanted me to publicize his name in association, otherwise I'd give him credit for it.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Carhaul Network to Launch 9/5/05
Got this from Ed Dicker-- sounds like it ought to be pretty good!
Waterford, MI: A new website, http://www.carhaulnetwork.com/ will launch September 5, 2005 which is aimed at providing a single source transportation and remarketing solutions for automobile shippers and carriers alike. Shippers will be able to post vehicles directly on the site for all of the carriers to view and submit a rate. Shippers include fleet managers, dealers, daily rental accounts, manufacturers, POV’s and other automobile transporters. When vehicles are posted, an email alert is sent to all carrier members immediately or they may view the postings at any time. Carriers that best fit the move will contact the shipper with an ETA and rate via email or telephone contact. Shippers will also be able to search for various remarketing services such as inspection, reconditioning services and complete remarketing solutions. Carriers may register @ www.carhaulnetwork.com beginning September 1, 2005.
Automobile Transporters have much to gain as a member of Car-Haul Network.
§ The ability to post and view traffic available throughout the country
§ The ability to post empty truck locations and eta’s…a very powerful tool for reducing deadhead miles
§ Free classified advertising within the site
§ Free recruiting advertising on Car-Haul Jobs (http://www.carhauljobs.com/)
§ Free posting in a national database of automobile transporters that will be searched by all automobile shippers (with random search results…not alphabetical)
§ View and post loading manuals and safety and claims bulletins
§ Car-Haul Network is NOT a broker…but rather a matching service for shippers and carriers. Carriers deal directly with the shipper.
Awesome!
Yesterday, I talked to Don Miller about his classic Autocar autohauler restoration. He's got a listing on Autohauler Shopper if you're interested in buying this beauty.
Don't know who owns Autocar now. My dad used to drive them back in the day.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Boydstun Trailer: New Screw Actuator Trailer
Heard through the grapevine that things are getting pretty busy at Boydstun Trailers in Portland, OR. Their new screw actuator trailer (as opposed to hydraulic) is selling faster than they expected, and they're now out to June 2006 on new deliveries of this model. (They still have slots in production for cylinder trailers.)
Those new screw actuator trailers save quite a bit of weight-- could make the difference between loading one more car. The advantage with this sort of technology is it saves all the weight of all those heavy hydraulic lines.
I understand that the top deck can drop all the way down, which would make loading and tying down vehicles a hell of a lot safer and easier. Boydstun is now putting soft ties right in the deck, so no more trying to figure out where to store 36 ratchet straps when you're not using them. Plus, straps weigh less than chains, and all the car makers seem to be heading in the wheel strap direction.
(I think Lloyd Fitzpatrick at The Waggoners invented something similar years ago. That company retro-fitted their chain ratchets and started using straps with frame hooks that could also go over the tire as a soft tie if need be.)
Has anybody heard how Cottrell's experimentation with screw actuators is going? Send me an email.
Next time I'm up their way, I'm going to check out their new trailer.
Those new screw actuator trailers save quite a bit of weight-- could make the difference between loading one more car. The advantage with this sort of technology is it saves all the weight of all those heavy hydraulic lines.
I understand that the top deck can drop all the way down, which would make loading and tying down vehicles a hell of a lot safer and easier. Boydstun is now putting soft ties right in the deck, so no more trying to figure out where to store 36 ratchet straps when you're not using them. Plus, straps weigh less than chains, and all the car makers seem to be heading in the wheel strap direction.
(I think Lloyd Fitzpatrick at The Waggoners invented something similar years ago. That company retro-fitted their chain ratchets and started using straps with frame hooks that could also go over the tire as a soft tie if need be.)
Has anybody heard how Cottrell's experimentation with screw actuators is going? Send me an email.
Next time I'm up their way, I'm going to check out their new trailer.
Court Approves Allied’s Bankruptcy Financing Plan
Court Approves Allied’s Bankruptcy Financing Plan:
Now's the time to push your way to the head of the line if you can. As usual, looks like the banks are being taken care of. Wonder how many car haulers they owe money to? I know a few guys who got stung. Hard to file a class action suit against a company in bankruptcy protection. Lawyers tend to want to get paid. (I ought to know-- I've got three attorneys in my immediate family, two of them specializing in business law in big-name firms!)
Makes me think I should sue somebody, all those free lawyers. Problem is, in this industry anyway, guys who are "sue-happy" tend to get a reputation for being cranks. That's bad for business.
Now's the time to push your way to the head of the line if you can. As usual, looks like the banks are being taken care of. Wonder how many car haulers they owe money to? I know a few guys who got stung. Hard to file a class action suit against a company in bankruptcy protection. Lawyers tend to want to get paid. (I ought to know-- I've got three attorneys in my immediate family, two of them specializing in business law in big-name firms!)
Makes me think I should sue somebody, all those free lawyers. Problem is, in this industry anyway, guys who are "sue-happy" tend to get a reputation for being cranks. That's bad for business.
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