United Road Services Takes No. 1 Auto-Transport Spot — What Fleet Growth Means for Hauler Spec

Which carrier now leads the auto-transport fleet rankings?

United Road Services claimed the No. 1 position in FleetOwner's 2026 auto-transport fleet rankings, displacing TruckMovers from the top spot it held in 2025. The shift marks the second consecutive year the rankings saw changes in every position except the top five.

The February 2026 FleetOwner 500 list ranks the largest for-hire motor carrier and commercial fleet operations in the U.S. by equipment count. Auto-transport fleets — carriers that haul finished vehicles from assembly plants, rail yards, and auction sites to dealerships and distribution centers — saw notable movement this year.

What changed in the top 10 auto-transport rankings?

Horizon Transport jumped from No. 9 in 2025 to No. 4 in 2026, a five-spot climb that suggests either fleet expansion or consolidation of equipment under one DOT number. Two carriers entered the top 10 for the first time: Auto Driveaway at No. 9 and Virginia Transportation at No. 10.

Jack Cooper Transport, which held the No. 4 position in 2025, closed operations in early 2025 and dropped off the list entirely. The closure removed a significant block of car-hauler capacity from the market — Jack Cooper operated a fleet of multi-level auto-transport trailers and tractors spec'd for the short-haul, high-frequency runs typical of OEM delivery networks.

What equipment do auto-transport fleets run?

Auto-transport carriers operate specialized multi-level trailers — typically seven- to nine-car enclosed or open-deck units — pulled by Class 8 day-cab tractors. The trailers feature hydraulic or manual deck-adjustment systems to accommodate vehicle heights ranging from sedans to light trucks. Tractors are spec'd for frequent loading and unloading cycles, with air-ride suspensions to minimize cargo movement and protect vehicle finishes.

Fleet growth in this segment drives demand for replacement trailers as older units age out. Multi-level auto haulers see frame fatigue from constant weight shifts during loading, and deck mechanisms require regular hydraulic service. A carrier moving up five spots in the rankings — like Horizon Transport — likely added dozens of trailers and tractors to handle increased contract volume from OEMs or auction houses.

How does fleet consolidation affect equipment availability?

Jack Cooper's closure in early 2025 put hundreds of used car-hauler trailers and tractors onto the secondary market. When a top-10 fleet exits, surviving carriers often acquire equipment at auction or through private sale, accelerating fleet expansion without new-unit lead times. United Road Services and other top-ranked fleets may have absorbed Jack Cooper's equipment, contributing to ranking shifts.

Used auto-transport trailers carry risk. Deck mechanisms and tie-down points see heavy wear, and frame inspections are critical before purchase. Fleets buying distressed equipment from a closed carrier should budget for immediate hydraulic overhauls and structural reinforcement, especially on units with more than 500,000 miles.

What does ranking movement signal for small auto-transport fleets?

Ranking changes among the largest fleets reflect contract consolidation. OEMs and large dealership groups increasingly award multi-year transport contracts to top-10 carriers with nationwide footprints, squeezing regional and owner-operator auto haulers. A carrier like United Road Services taking the No. 1 spot signals it won contract volume from competitors, likely by offering lower per-unit rates enabled by fleet scale.

Small fleets and owner-operators in the auto-transport segment face equipment decisions shaped by this consolidation. Spec'ing a new seven-car enclosed hauler costs $85,000 to $110,000 depending on deck configuration and hydraulic package. Financing that equipment makes sense only if the operator has locked contract freight, not spot loads. The FleetOwner rankings show where contract volume is concentrating — and where it isn't.

Fleets considering entry into auto transport or expansion should verify a carrier's active authority and fleet size before negotiating subhauling agreements. A top-10 ranking doesn't guarantee payment terms or freight consistency, but it does indicate the carrier has the equipment base to handle multi-state contracts.

What's next for auto-transport equipment?

The 2026 rankings will be finalized as OEMs ramp electric-vehicle production. EV transport introduces new equipment challenges: battery weight shifts the trailer's center of gravity, and lithium-ion fire risk may drive demand for enclosed haulers with fire-suppression systems. Carriers that spec new trailers in 2026 and 2027 should consider deck-load ratings 15% higher than current diesel-vehicle averages to accommodate EV curb weights.

FleetOwner's full 2026 For-Hire 500 list is available by request. The rankings provide a snapshot of where equipment is concentrated and which carriers are growing fast enough to move the needle on trailer and tractor orders. For auto-transport fleets, the list shows who's winning the contract freight — and who's left competing for spot loads with aging equipment.