Loading a car transporter

danger_mouse_tm

Hi all,
I've seen many car transporters going up and down the road. Tough, responsible job, I'd say. I've wondered about why the car over the cab is nearly always reversed up. Can anyone tell me for certain? If anyone wants to submit any car transporter horror stories or even comment on what it's like to drive one, I'd like to hear them
Might put a bit of longitivity into the thread too.

Thanks

R.O.R

danger_mouse_tm wrote: »

Hi all,
I've seen many car transporters going up and down the road. Tough, responsible job, I'd say. I've wondered about why the car over the cab is nearly always reversed up. Can anyone tell me for certain? If anyone wants to submit any car transporter horror stories or even comment on what it's like to drive one, I'd like to hear them
Might put a bit of longitivity into the thread too.

Thanks

I don't know why they reverse up the car over the cab - wonder if it helps with the Aerodynamics? Next time the one driver who doesn't have a thick country accent comes in, I'll ask and stand a chance of understanding the answer.

I have great respect for these guys - would not fancy their job myself. I've been up on the top deck on a transporter a few times, usually with a Jumper pack in hand, and I get very nervous up there. Really wouldn't fancy it in the gales and snow like we had yesterday.

bazz26

Might have something to do with when the transporter has to brake, with the car facing the other way there might be less chance of the weight pushing it forward?

ironclaw

Cosmetic perhaps? Stone, debris and damage from the road striking the rear of the car as opposed to the front?

Toyotafanboi

It's not a place i'd like to reverse out of, probably much easier to reverse load it the distribution and then drive it clean off at the dealers?

cruizer101

I'd be thinking weight distribution, the front of the majority of cars is heaviest with the engine up there so better to keep it closer to the support.

See here:


That said here is one with it the other way and the engine weight is nearly overhanging infront of the cab

DakarVert

Stops the weight hanging over the front of the cab, As the front is nearly always the heaviest section.

On most small single car Trucks (Transit etc..) it's very noticeable if you reverse the car on as most of the weight is behind the rear axle, Driving it on spreads the majority of the weight between both axles.

9935452

cruizer101 wrote: »

I'd be thinking weight distribution, the front of the majority of cars is heaviest with the engine up there so better to keep it closer to the support.

See here:


That said here is one with it the other way and the engine weight is nearly overhanging infront of the cab

Could it possibly have something to do with height. it would be a few inches higher for hatchbacks and estates putting it the other way

danger_mouse_tm

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

It's not a place i'd like to reverse out of, probably much easier to reverse load it the distribution and then drive it clean off at the dealers?

I'm leaning towards this one. Maybe reversing up could be easier so that when you're almost at the top you can open the door and see how far you've left to go back.

kay 9

Few lines down lads, seems to be due to weight and swing. https://thatbigtruck.wordpress.com/tag/loading-car-carrier/

Duke O Smiley

I would have thought for ease of getting it back down again. Easier to drive off than reverse off.

kaahooters

its design of the trailer, and the swing/weight. (my dad drove one for years)