What is hotshot hauling

Hotshot trips can be to the next town or across the country. Of course, after you deliver the load you may have to return home without a revenue load deadhead. There may be instances when you will be able negotiate a fee that includes the cost of returning. It is important to stay in touch with load boards or LTL brokers in the areas where you typically run to increase the opportunity to pick of a load that helps pay for the trip home. You have some control over the distances you want to travel.

If you want to be home every night, then you will accept only short distance runs. If you are prepared to be gone for several days, your loads may cover much of the country, working your way back home for the weekend. As a business, you work for yourself. Time and fiscal management are critically important to succeed as a hotshot. The CDL is required for vehicles with a weight in excess of 26, lb. In some states a CDL is required for vehicles in commercial operations weighing more than 10, lb.

Most states will issue a CDL for any commercial operations, and it is a good idea if you plan to haul across state lines. You will, however, need to obtain commercial license plates from your home state. The trailer should be suitable for the types of loads you plan to carry.

A ft gooseneck flatbed trailer is the maximum length you can use and is the most versatile. Make sure you have tarps and tie-downs to protect and secure loads. There are operators who prefer a box-type trailer to protect loads. If you plan to specialize in vehicle transport, a three-vehicle V-trailer would be a good investment. Note, an occasional automobile can be secured on a flatbed or even inside a box trailer make sure you have loading ramps.

As with any decision, there are always pros and cons. Objectively assess each of the pros and cons to determine if being a hotshot is a practical business decision for you. The start-up year s are the toughest. Talk to the local DoT office to go over legal issues and licensing; talk to possible clients to let them know what you will be offering; and check with local authorities to determine if parking your commercial vehicle at your home will permitted.

One option is to lease your services to, or sign with a trucking company that uses hotshots. This is both an easy and a difficult question to answer. Therefore, you must understand your hotshot expenses and what you must make enough to cover operating expenses AND to pay the mortgage, maintain a home, support your family, etc.

Expenses include any equipment loan payments, fuel, routine maintenance on equipment, licenses and taxes, insurance, record keeping, load board service fees, supplies, etc. Take these total expenses and divide them by the number revenue miles you expect to drive per year.

Now determine how much you must make to pay all household and living expenses—everything from the mortgage to food, clothes for the kids, homeowners and medical insurance payments, other debts, etc. Divide this number by the that same number of miles you plan to drive. That will tell you how much you must make per mile to support you and your family.

But you want to do more than breakeven—you need to set aside money for unexpected expenses, emergencies, education, and hopefully, an occasional vacation. Note: The figures shown here are for illustrative purposes only and your figures are likely to be very different. Also keep in mind that shippers are aware of the costs and usually expect to pay a fair rate.

Your total income depends on how many miles you drive and your rate. If you drive more revenue miles than you planned, you are ahead of the financial curve.

Be prepared to negotiate rates and be prepared to hold the line on what you determine is the minimum rate to meet your financial obligations. Load boards act as brokers between people who have LTL loads to ship and you, the hotshot.

Brief profiles and links to several load boards are listed below. Most load boards allow you to search for loads by type and destination.

Typically, there is a subscription fee for this service. Sometimes that fee is paid by the shipper, sometimes by the trucker—or shared. The load board will usually collect the feet from the shipper and pay the driver. Load boards typically pay on a schedule such as the last day of each month. They charge a monthly fee for their online search service. They post the complete list of available loads, not just hot shot loads.

There is a reasonable monthly fee to search for loads. Then, drivers usually pull some type of flatbed trailer. That could include a bumper pull, gooseneck, lowboy, or deckover trailer.

One advantage of hot shot trucking is that the initial costs of equipment are usually lower than becoming a tractor trailer owner operator. We talked to Earl , a hot shot trucker with his company, JEPPS Enterprises, and asked if he had any advice for drivers considering starting in hot shot trucking.

And once you get all your paperwork to start taking loads. There are several big costs that you should plan for. The pickup truck and flatbed trailer will probably be your biggest starting expenses. Finally, make sure you leave room in the budget for the paperwork.

Registration, insurance, and legal fees if you decide to become an LLC should all be part of your budget plan. If you are a hot shot trucker, you are running under your own authority. That means that you have some say in where you run and how often. Most hot shot jobs are local or regional routes, so drivers get frequent home time. Running under your own authority also means that bringing home a paycheck is largely based on your hustle.

Typically, hot shot drivers earn pay by the mile. Rates change from haul to haul, so hot shot drivers are regularly negotiating their pay. To get approval, drivers will need to meet the FMCSA fitness regulations, so make sure you check their website. Because Hot shot drivers run on their own authority, organization is key. Many people get their hauls from load boards. Put simply, these are your basic heavy-duty pickup trucks. Class 4 medium-duty trucks have a weight limit of 14,, pounds. If you anticipate hauling larger hot shot loads, you may want to invest in a Class 4 truck.

Class 5 medium-duty trucks have a weight limit of 16,, pounds. Class 5 is also where some of the lightest commercial trucks are categorized. Choosing a trailer is a big decision. Bumper pull trailers are generally shorter and less expensive. In most cases, the load you carry on a bumper pull trailer will be less than 10, pounds. They may sway or lose stability with heavier loads. Loved for their stability, gooseneck trailers have a tighter turn radius than bumper pull trailers.

They can usually carry larger, heavier loads than bumper pull trailers, but they may require you to invest in a special hitching system. Tilt deck trailers tilt at an angle so you can load heavy cargo more easily. Then, you can turn them flat for transport. Although tilt deck trailers relieve you of a lot of heavy lifting, they do require maintenance. They operate using hydraulic systems that require filter and oil changes. Lowboy trailers have a low center of gravity, ideal for the heaviest loads.

If you need to transport a tall load, a lowboy can help you clear certain height restrictions. The one drawback to lowboy trailers is the minimal deck space. Dovetails protrude out the back a bit, too, upping the chance you could be rear-ended. Hot shot trucking can be lucrative.

With the right equipment, it can be a great side gig even if you work a regular job. Like other types of trucking, hot shot has pros and cons, both as a career and a lifestyle. Hot shot jobs require tight turnarounds, so you can usually get premium rates for each job. You decide which loads to take and when you drive.

Finally, hot shot trucking is fun! You get to haul interesting loads on almost every job. You also have to maintain your vehicle yourself and comply with most of the same regulations as other carriers, including insurance laws, hours of service HOS logging, and drug and alcohol testing. If you want to be a hot shot trucker, you need to find loads to carry.

You can sometimes find loads through your network, but most hot shot drivers turn to load boards. Some new hot shot drivers turn to free load boards to avoid a monthly fee. But you get what you pay for.