Try hotshothauling.com. There are some guys there that might be able to help out better. I think you also need to figure out what you WANT to do. Do you want to stay local, do you want to go over the road, etc. Best advice given so far is DON'T GET A TRUCK until you figure out what you are getting yourself into. At 21 if you are insuring yourself you might be paying 1000+ a month. Also you might have a hard time getting hired by anyone (many company's will not hire unless you are 25)...

 

Yes im looking to go over the road. a friend of mine tried to get me set up with a lady out of northern in. but that fell through. im looking for i guess what you/everyone is calling a broker(???) i just want to buy the truck and start work to make the money thats out there to make. if anyone thats reading this canset me up with a lease or something so i can get my foot in the door or anything please e-mail me at ehavlicek83@aol.com thanks again to all for the help

Ethan

 

Here is a few good web sites to check out on the subject.
http://www.hotshotloads.net
http://www.hotshothauling.com/wowbbs/
http://pub27.bravenet.com/forum/2298277068/
http://www.truckinfo.net/messageboards/hotshot.asp

Here is some companies to lease on with.
http://www.acmetruck.com/
http://www.acetrans.com/

Hope this helps.
Gordon Coker

 

I remember when I was 21------I looked for any reason to be able to buy my first Diesel. Then one day it happend and I was on my way to Florida with my new Dodge----------3 months later I went crawling back into my Electrical position and my bills were over my head. You are 21 and FireFighting is an Honorable trade/occupation. Stick with the water and you will be able to afford the Diesel soon!!! Good Luck

 

You can always find someone to work for so don't worry about that. The hardest thing is getting the equipment.
The truck you picked is fine. You'll want to get a dually for towing capacity,stabilty,safety, & the employer will want to hire 1 tons for these reasons.
1.Truck
2.Hitch equipment & trailer brake control unit
3.Class D drivers license
4.Get hired.

 

No offense but getting the equipment is one of the easiest parts. Anyone can buy a truck. To do this and do it making a profit is a whole 'nother story.

 

Reasons to stay where you are and keep making a living.

Truck prices to high
Equipment prices to high
Maintenance cost to high
Fuel cost to high
Insurance to high
To many people wanting to do this
No benefits, Health insurance in particular is worth alot of money
No promise of a steady paycheck

To get into this business from scratch your probably looking at a $75,000 minimum investment, not including your time. Gonna take alot of miles just to break even much less make a profit. Not to mention someday your gonna want a family, and being on the road all the time just isn't condusive to a happy wife. Sounds like a good life until you live it for a while.

 

And if your Trailer+Load is over 10,001 lbs, you will need a class A CDL. Air Brake or no air brake. Im taking mine as we speak.

Actually the tone is correct. Its a poor move at this point. Think of it in my terms-with your story. I think firefighting is good(honestly do, never did it) so instead of getting my hands wet, im gonna start my own firestation, and watch it fail.

Dont get me wrong Im not saying you will fail. What Im saying is you need experience before going out on your own. I dont think there are too many hotshots that offer company trucks, your best route is prob gonna be getting your CDL and driving with a trucking company, until you see how things operate,laws, DOT, money, loads, etc are done. There is WAY too much to learn before setting your own sail. If you talk to most Owner Operators, Ill bet .001% bought a truck and started 1st day with thier own truck, while 99.999% started driving with someone else.

Its a business and in order to operate profitable, you have to learn the roaps of the industry. If you havent already, take a few business courses as well. Things like 5-7 year truck loans and such are out the window, since you are purchasing as a business, a bank wont lend that long on an asset that may only last 2-4 years.

Also be prepared for high repair bills. One hotshotter I spoke with had almost 15,000 worth of repairs last year.

Im not doubting you, or putting your goals down. Just dont dig your own grave before you actually start to enjoy hotshotting and can do it profitable.