Future owner operator (begining in hotshot)

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by Tonio_925, Dec 30, 2014.

  1. Tonio_925

    Tonio_925 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 28, 2014
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    ok i have a ton of questions figured this is the appropriate place to ask im planning to get into driving hotshot since im able to wrench on a pick up my self most maintenance atleast. im gonna start out with a car hauler only because i have no experience with freight considering i tow cars for a living now but i do also wanna purchase a 40ft flatbed trailer and haul freight.


    *when buying a truck could i get my operating authority with out a trailer?

    * im gonna be based out of ca i need mc,us dot and ca# to drive interstate?

    * where do i obtain my white weight sticker from and how do some guys in 3500 trucks get a super high GVWR?

    *me being a driver for my business my entity starting out should be sole proprietorship?

    *i also want to eventually have a relative(that i trust) or friend drive another truck for me possibly a 2500 single wheel diesel to pull boats and 5th wheel rvs and toy haulers under 40ft and under 26000lbs would that truck need mc,usdot ca#s aswell or can i pass it off as a not for hire truck?

    *if i buy a tractor could i make money with it with out me driving it? I have never driven a 10-13spd i trained in a 6spd no spliter truck when i got my cdl

    *ifta do i need a sticker per state i travel thru or just the ca one i seen a truck here he had like 6 different ifta stickers on his tractor?
     
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  3. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    OK

    Of course.


    You need the same thing no matter where you are based out of.

    It depends on the truck's manufacturer's ratings.

    No I wouldn't because you need to start right from the start to be a corporation, something that will afford you some manageable liabilities for taxes. NO LLC, the llc won't protect your assets unless you want to do some fancy numbers game but will warn you a good lawyer will find it all and go after it.

    Why a 2500, your driving for money, get the bigger truck and use it. As for a relative, I never would hire anyone who I'm related to for any reason, I don't want the family bs get into the business part.

    Of course you can but the biggest issue is finding someone right for your truck, drivers are easy to find, a driver who will work with/for you is hard to find.

    Call cali's IFTA people, they will answer what you can or can't get but you will have one ifta sticker on your truck, the days of having multiple stickers is long gone.
     
  4. Tonio_925

    Tonio_925 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 28, 2014
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    ok will do
     
  5. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    I would start with a 3500 rather than a 2500. You may find that the extra capacity will be helpful. The weight you can haul will depend on the gvwr and how you apportion your base plate. Whether you can afford to hire a driver and make a profit will depend on a number of factors, one of which will be the rates for which you will be running. Running a hotshot may cost more than you realize. You may get better mpg, but will need to pay for a motel each night. The dot frowns on drivers sleeping in a truck without a sleeper. I have a friend who owned three hotshots at one time. He had drivers in two and he drove the other one. I don't think he did that well with the drivers. He did do well when he drove his own truck. The problem with most hotshots is that you are limited in what you can haul. In my friend's case, he owned one step deck and two wedge trailers. Before even thinking about buying more equipment and hiring drivers, do yourself a favor and drive your truck for at least a year or two. Look at the numbers and see if there is enough money to justify paying a driver. If not, then just keep driving the one truck yourself. When you have drivers working for you, it is up to you to keep them loaded with decent paying freight. It is also up to you to take care of any breakdowns and to pay for all road expenses. It is rare for me to have met an owner of a hotshot who has more than one truck.
     
  6. SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    The trucks with multiple IFTA stickers on them don't take off the old ones, which if a DOT officer wants to be a turd, he CAN write you for that.
     
  7. Tonio_925

    Tonio_925 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 28, 2014
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    well i purchased a take 3 model 48 local for $5k now i need a truck whats better to haul a 6spd or Automatic im going to register it at 30k im stuck on dodge(RAM Trucks) 3500 since in cali i dont have to stop at scales if its a pickup
     

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  8. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    Take 3 makes a nice trailer. Automatics don't seem to hold up as well as the 6 speed manual pulling cars. I have a friend who has owned several Dodge dually's and he has had a problem with the automatics standing up pulling a wedge and hauling cars.
     
  9. Chezzy K

    Chezzy K Bobtail Member

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  10. Chezzy K

    Chezzy K Bobtail Member

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    You Do. A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required in the United States to operate any type of vehicle
    • weighing 26,001 pounds, or 10,001 pounds with any type of trailer towed.
    Class A truckAny combination of vehicles with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 26,001 or more pounds (11,793 kg) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds (4536 kg).

    you are operating commercial business and you are at 30k. you must have cdl and stop at scales
     
    123456 Thanks this.
  11. Tonio_925

    Tonio_925 Bobtail Member

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    Cali doesn't want pickups in the scales but i got my cdl
     
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