I'm a 21 yr old firefighter out of central oklahoma. im lookingto getting into hotshoting, but i don't know where to start. I have the truck picked out with all the hitches i think i would or will need. the truck im looking at is a 06 dodge quad cab one ton diesal 6 speed long bed dually 4x4. Is this a good choice or what? and my other questions is can you point me in the right direction to start making the money to pay for the equipment

 

Hey, glad you made it over from the 1st gen forums with your question! May I make a candid suggestion? Since you're 21, grab a couple stiff drinks, cause the answers you're bound to get will be sobering enough to even things out...just funnin with ya! It all starts with a dream...

 

trust me being a full time firefighter only working ten days a month we get a lot of free time to go drink

 

you got your medic yet?

 

First thing to go will be the dually bed to make way for a genuine fifth-wheel.

Then Class A CDL, Apportioned tags, IFTA, US DOT numbers, cab card, log book, etc.,etc.

 

I was also wondering if you guys knew or know some companys looking for drivers so i can atleast get my foot in the door. Im willing to drive my *** off

 

Keep your costs in check.
Try to get on with a company and drive for a couple months to see if you like it.
You might make more money getting a CDL and driving for a big carrier.

 

Do you want to do this only part time, or get out of firefighting completely?

The reason I ask, is most successful hotshot companies around here, must be available 24 hrs and day. More often than not, your money maker calls will come in at 200 or 300 in the morning.

Part time, fine. Full time, stay firefighting. JMHO of course from a guy that's spent quite some time in the patch and looking to settle for something where I can get some sleep other than a couple days off a month.

 

well festus thats just it im wanting out, all together. i work for a small town making only about 1300 a month it sucks i know. Do yall know of any companys that you could refer me to with a number or something.

 

Found a forum you may not have run across. Hope it's helpful. Could you transfer? I've always understood that the firefighter occupation is a very desirable one.

Ooops! I forgot to post the link.
http://www.truckinfo.net/messageboards/hotshot.asp

This may be of some interest too.
http://www.uship.com/

 

the jobs great but pay and benifits suck worse than my x-girlfriend. and the transfer part is hard as hell to get to a good city. with the state having one of the top two fire schools in it.

 

actually firefighters have one of the best benefit plans in any job. pay can be real good too. not sure how much certification you have or if you just want to give up totally with firefighting, but imho your in the right direction already. get your medic card and pretty much any dept will hire you on the spot.

just my .02
eric

 

I would find work before I bought the new truck. Manufacturers of campers & farm equipment seem to be using alot of hot shots. A friend hauls used cars for a couple dealers in his home town. Talk to the guys you see pulling loads. Find out as much as you can, hindsight is 20/20. Its a cut throat business.

 

Independant haulers are very secretive about their true rates and any other aspect of their business.

They will re-arrange the truth to keep from losing a good thing to the sharks.

To quote a friend: " If you tell people too much about your business, it won't be long before your business is their business."

Like the man said, it is a cut-throat business.

I long-haul livestock; and I have had every sneak trick in the book pulled on me at one time or the other.

A favorite ploy of seedy competitors is to have an innocent looking kid, or woman, be conveniently eaves-dropping when I quote a price to do a job.

They run to their partner with the news; and the next thing I see, they have my customer cornered up, giving him a line about how they can do it cheaper and better.

These kind of people don't last long before they screw up; but, there is always someone else to take their place and every job they steal is one I don't get to do.

 

I thank you all again for those that have replied to this ya'll have been a big help. But still keeping my ears open for a compay that would like to put me to work. the way i see it you make money i make money. so lets see what we cant get started

Ethan