The first time I ever heard the term Hotshot was when I roughnecked in the oilpatch in Texas and Oklahoma back in the eighties. It was almost always one ton duallies hauling as Bonshawman said, oilfield equipment and most frequently drill pipe on 35' or so flatbed goosenecks. At that time, those guys were running constantly and as we are in another oil boom now, I would suspect that their business is good now too.

 

Well guys, im about to be in the car hauling biz with my 1 ton, I am bout to pick up a take 3 50ft trailer that has a gvwr of 20000. I have no clue of how to run this biz but im gonna learn by going to all the auctions within a 50 mile radius which is I think a few, and just grow from there. Im more worried about the back haul which for starters im gonna use uship which IMHO, SUCKS. but its a start. If worse comes to worse, I will just contract out through brokers or sorts till I learn My connects. As for insurance questions you might all have. I have multiple quotes and the cheapest I found was just over 12 grand a year which includes 1mill liability, 150,000 cargo. I hope to god I do good and learn the biz quick. Any comments on how to get work for a backhaul or how to start up a route would be nice for a newb like me

 

You're in one of the worst states for pulling a 50' trailer with a dually. Check weight and length laws very carefully . Do you have a Class A CDL ? Do you have your own authority ?

 

I see dodges pull 3 car trailers all the time in florida. As for CDL, its not like its hard to get 1. FIRST OFF ITS FREE, which alot of people like, and it consists of 50 common sense questions which you dont have to study for. I got a 45 out of 50 and the ones that I got wrong, well, I guess i was having a blonde moment. I didnt take the airbrakes or the combo test cause I didnt wanna be there another hour, but I can go do those anytime I want. I do have to go take a driving test but I have 6 months to do that. As for my own authority, I do have a usdot and an mc which cost 300 bucks and for insurance, that is getting done first thing monday morning. Other then that, I havent ran into any problems yet and I dont think I should either. This is all a learning process for me which I have been doing alot of research for the past 3 months. The only thing I am kinda scared of is finding work at first both ways which I may just start out with a broker or trucking company and im kinda scared at my 6 speed auto, but i have faith in this new tranny that is supposedly stout but when it blows, upgrade time. other then that, we shall see how this new venture goes and I will gladly keep ya'll posted

 

Just be ready for a DOT audit . You are your own employee and need an employee file with inquiry history to past employers , copy of D.O.T. physical , proof of participation in random drug pool , and much more . http://bulktransporter.com/mag/trans...ct_compliance/

 

Actually, I am expecting a DOT audit cause Im only runnin on temporary authority since I just got my usdot and mc. After they know i can do this, it will be permenent. I have the drug stuff already coming in the mail. I think i have everything covered. This trailer thing is kinda confusing though. I did see some websites of all states and there lengths of trailers and acutally florida is in the top 10 states for length that can be long. Florida is at 48 feet while most other states range from 30-40, while a couple others are 50 and 53 and i think michagan is 60. I dont understand that since i see 53er's all day long in florida passing DOT peeps and weigh stations no problem, let alone going thru them with a big ole 53 sticker on the trailer. Hopefulyy this wont be a problem.

 

Here's where the length laws came up . https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ghlight=length

 

I spoke with USDOT and there is a length law of 65 feet for truck and trailer. If the bed is taken off the truck, its considered a tractor and you can tote around a 53 foot trailer no problem. But if you have a bed on your truck, its not considered a tractor. Weird huh, anyways, I have a 2006 Take 3 50FT model TH and that puts me at 66.3 since my truck is 20.8 feet long. I know my trailer is only 50 feet long but there is an overhang in the back of the truck. Anyways, it doesnt cost anymore then a couple hundred bucks a year at that to get a permit to tote around my trailer. Problem solved!!!!! But very good topic at that.

 

Can you all list good hot shot companys to lease on?

 

I love one ton loads. If the loads not to obvious, I take my signs off and run run run. Took a Computerized gas panel to western PA last year for $3600. Did a 3 day turn-around and did it for cash. Yes I love one ton loads.

I have been offered to open my own independent terminal here in Corpus. I got some big stuff in the works. I finally got the investors. Now I just have to make it work. If I get the right people. It will work well. Customer base, customer base, customer base. If you have to rely on a company like cheeta, acme, venture.....whatever, you have good weeks and bad weeks. You have to make it work, dont expect someone else to make it work for you.

These hot shot companies dont give a rats patootie about any of us. you are jsut a number. If you dont make it, someone else will take your place.

 

Oil field trash, What's the answer to the riddle in your sig?

 

is it pride?

 

If you like to hot shot cars, A nice man told me about a website called www.centraldispatch.com

 

What is greater than God, More evil than the devil, The poor have it,
The rich need it, And if you eat it, you'll die?

Nothing.

 

ah, second guess