I haven't calculated my overall average. The way I do it when I'm at home is look for 1, 2, or sometimes 3 good paying loads preferably one starting close to home and the others not too far from where I'll be next. I start out asking $1.10-$1.25/mi depending on what it is and where it goes. I'll settle for $1/mi if I have to. After I book those I start looking for side loads and loads to cover deadheads. I opened a separate bank account just for the business and let my wife handle all the accounting. I average $1,500-$2,000/wk profit off the initial trips. Of course out of that I spend around $200-400/mo on truck maintenance and already paid $4,800 for a year's worth of commercial liability and cargo insurance. Not to mention the small fortune I've spent on equipment and supplies. Overall, despite the large startup cost I am happy with the results that are starting to show.
The biggest key to my quick success in the business is customer service. I keep in constant contact with all my clients and make them feel how dedicated I am to the safety and timing of their shipment. Over half of my clients have used me again and again and nearly all of them say they will use me again if they ever need anything shipped again.
The only thing I have not run into yet, but I know I will before too long is how to handle major problems that the truck will have at some point from putting so many miles of heavy hauling on it. I haven't decided if it would be better to buy a new truck every so often, or keep putting money into the one. Either way can be a huge expense. I guess the reason this is on my mind so much is probably because my truck has the notorious 6.0 powerstroke diesel with 167k now. She runs great now, but any truck will have problems eventually if you do this kind of work.
Thinking about being a hotshot driver need some input!
Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by Juan9091, Dec 11, 2013.
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i live in wv what r hauling tht u don't need a trailer.just wondering
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The business I am in is going downhill, but I am looking in to running some hotshot loads and maybe rv transport as well but want to be home for church on midweek and weekends. Any pointers on this
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Good for you if you can actually run a business and make money at those rates, my hat is off to you. -
Where did you get your insurance from?
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Moving Forward Thanks this.
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Sounds good in theory, hotshot trucks aren't exactly million mile trucks and you may want to start a fund for renewal.
You will probably pick up a decent customer base that pay a little better after a while and closer to home which will cut down on expenses and become more profitable but for now, well done getting going.CTSTransport Thanks this. -
Foxcover Thanks this.
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