Cottrell CS-65 Auto Carrier (9-10 car capacity)
Cottrell Trailers · Auto Carrier · 75 ft · 80,000 lb GVWR
What this trailer does
The Cottrell CS-65 is one of the dominant auto-carrier trailers in North America — Cottrell Trailers (founded 1973, Georgia) is the largest auto-carrier manufacturer. The CS-65 carries 9-10 passenger cars/light trucks on two decks. Auto-carrier rigs are unique: they require specialized low-cab tractors (Peterbilt 386 LowCab, Freightliner Coronado LowCab, Volvo VAH) to fit under the top deck. Auto transport is a specialized freight segment with limited cross-over to general OTR.
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Cottrell Trailers
- Type
- Auto Carrier
- Length
- 75 ft
- Width
- 8.5 ft
- GVWR
- 80,000 lb
- Truck class
- Class 8
- Production
- 2005–present
- Applications
- Auto transport — new vehicle delivery, used car auctions
Design and engineering
Two-deck design — top deck for upper-row vehicles, lower deck for ground-row. Hydraulic ramps + winches load vehicles. Specialized tie-down systems for various vehicle wheelbases. 75-foot overall length (well past the 53' freight-trailer standard — auto-carriers operate under different DOT length regulations).
Generations and major changes
- CS-65 Original (2005–2014)Launch.
- CS-65 with Hydraulic Improvements (2015–present)Refined hydraulic loading systems, lighter aluminum components.
Reliability and longevity
Built for daily heavy-cycle use. Hydraulic system + tie-down systems are the main maintenance areas.
Common problems
Hydraulic cylinder seal wear. Tie-down chain/strap fatigue. Hydraulic pump motor wear at high mileage.
Maintenance schedule
Annual DOT inspection. Hydraulic system PM every 50K-75K miles. Tie-down inspection every load (operator responsibility). Brake service every 50K.
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✓Largest auto-carrier manufacturer in NA
- ✓9-10 vehicle capacity
- ✓Specialized for auto transport
- ✓Strong dealer support
Cons
- !Specialized — only useful for auto transport
- !Requires low-cab tractor pairing
- !Loading is operator-intensive
- !Niche resale market
Who buys this trailer
Auto transport carriers (Jack Cooper, Cassens Transport, United Road, Premier Auto Transport), owner-operators in auto haul.
Resale value impact
Stable in auto-transport niche. Older Cottrells (15+ years) remain in service due to specialized nature.