Alright so Ive been laid off for about 3 months now( not so bad knew it was coming and prepared) but Im thinking about starting some Hot Shot running in and around VA I already have my Class A CDL filed for all my numbers but have been having a hard time trying to figure out what type of trailer to buy, can anyone tell me what type would be best for general loads, or most useful in most situations...John

 

i run a 40ft dual tandem dove tail. may sem to long but better to have extra then not enough trailer. for more tips go to hotshothauling.com for more help and info

 

That's a good trailer to use . Anything else would really be too short and you'd miss out on a lot of loads . Anything longer would make it real tight getting in some area .

 

thanks fellas i will try the website

 

heck theirs times i need a longer one. you oughta see some of the places i can get it in too.

 

Im used to pulling a 48' flatbed with a tractor in DC and surrounding areas so that not really an issue its just what will make me the most versatile, I havent even found a decent broker that handles this area, ( thought that may be the easiest way to start but now with having my MC, USDOT , Op-1 , BOC3 and insurance started that may not be the case, all very new to me as far as the business side)

 

I would look at insurance costs before diving into haul for hire arena. Its not cheap but progressive seems to be a good provider for the coverage. I priced a similar rig for a friend and with $1M in liability (required in MD to haul cars) and $100k in cargo coverage, it was around 14 grand a year.

 

thats way too high but it also depends on where you are, mine was half that amount for 3 trucks and a trailer

 

I just set mine up $1mil liab and $100k cargo is gonna be about $4500 a year for basic flatbed freight another $1200 to haul boats and that is with progressive for liab and canal for freight

 

Lloyd's of London used to be the most reasonable for that type of coverage, at least they were when I was doing it.