why start small?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by aviatornation, May 16, 2013.

  1. FarmerTransportation

    FarmerTransportation Light Load Member

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    Pittsburgh, PA
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    I started with and F350 7.3l and no trailer. About as small as it gets. Didn't buy a truck because I already had the truck. After 3 months I bought a trailer when I figured that the trailer would pay for itself quickly. 20' bumper pull deckover flatbed. That's worked out well.

    Some of us start small because the initial buy-in is palatable.
     
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  3. Ellijay

    Ellijay Bobtail Member

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    Feb 16, 2014
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    Most duallys are now running over 26k there for they are paying a ifta tax,I and every one I know does(And buying at special pumps?)
    Many loads beyond 26k bring that magical mpg down to 5-8
    and if you're getting a oil and fuel filter change for $55 be thankful most are atleast $80-100


    Sounds like you work the oil fields? Sounds like he's talking LTL trucking. Apples to oranges if so
     
  4. Tanhands

    Tanhands Light Load Member

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    Gilbert, AZ
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    Sounds like you are guessing about what I do. I live in AZ we don't have oil fields. I pull ltl but mostly plastic pipe. I don't care what"most" trucks register at I am at 26k so no IFTA, I do not have to fuel at truck pumps and pay the ifta.
    Would you like to change anything else I've said to fit what you want to hear?
     
  5. Ellijay

    Ellijay Bobtail Member

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    No,you summed it up very clear when you stated fuel has to be bought at special pumps if you pay ifta.lol.
     
  6. Lite bug

    Lite bug Road Train Member

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    Columbus Ohio
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    Looks like the thread was started by someone looking for Hot Shot feedback. I run Hot Shot looks like he is getting good intel.
     
  7. stammingerr

    stammingerr Bobtail Member

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    Aug 6, 2014
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    The view I have on this kinda question is a semi can haul twice as much as a hot shot but doesn't cost twice as much to run. So in return you can make more money with a semi. Or shall I say it would be easier to make more money. Im in the hotshot business and my company runs 6.7 powerstrokes with 40' goosenecks with a GVW of 42,000 lbs. I take a lot of pride in the "hotshot" aspect of this business. But when it comes down to it money can be made either way. It depends on how much of a risk (money you wanna have in the business) you are willing to take.
     
  8. Tanhands

    Tanhands Light Load Member

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    Gilbert, AZ
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    Yes a Class 8 truck can haul more. But then you are a Big Truck not a Hot Shot. I know some guys run a Semi with a 40 foot flat and call themselves Hot Shots but that is only because of what they haul. I have owned both and there is no way you can make the same money with a Semi. If you think you can then you have no clue what it cost to own one. So far I have not had to pay the IRS for a 2290 that gives me the privilege to be able to pay another State office to register my truck. Yep, $400 just to own it. That is not registration or anything other than giving the IRS $400 because you own a Semi. As far as double the running expense you are right not half, My last semi got 5.5 mpg my dodge gets 12 mpg. That is over twice the mpg. My service cost less than half as it did on the semi and my tires are also less than half the cost of a semi. So you are right it doesn't cost me half as much to run a 1 ton, it is less than half. Did I mention the Signs on the California Scales that say "No Pickups"? Ya that means I don't stop at the California Scales at all. But if you Bobtail a semi past a scale you better stop of you will get a ticket. Although you can haul more weight with a semi but if you are taking loads that are 40-50K pounds you are not a hot shot you are any other Common Carrier.
    I swear sometimes this site has the worst and most inaccurate information you can find and guys who have no clue what they are talking about giving opinions are facts do not help.
     
  9. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Speaking of inaccurate statements, can you tell us all about those special pumps again?
     
  10. stammingerr

    stammingerr Bobtail Member

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    My trucks cost me about 1.05 a mile to run. A company that we work with has semi's. There operating cost are around a 1.30 a mile. They cant be much higher than that because they charge 1.87 a mile. Thank you for the ignorance Tanhands but every one has there price. Why don't you see monster hotshot companies if they are so much cheaper to run?
     
  11. Tanhands

    Tanhands Light Load Member

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    Aug 1, 2014
    Gilbert, AZ
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    Spider in Arizona there are auto diesel pumps and IFTA regulated pumps. Auto pump is .08 per gallon LESS in tax. I should have called them something else. Sorry.
    Stam you don't think it's better to profit the .82 a mile you do instead of the .57 a mile the other company is making?
    There are guys using semis and making money but not because of Some the reasons posted. Operating costs are nowhere near the same. The idea is to have small light time sensitive loads. If I had a single screw sleeper truck around I may have used it but a 1 ton is easier to deal with.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2014
    Lite bug Thanks this.
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