Can I use a RAM 5000 to haul flatbed loads?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by MrGud, Apr 13, 2015.

  1. MrGud

    MrGud Bobtail Member

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    Jan 25, 2013
    Saint Louis, MO
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    Will I need to do log books, is it easy to find loads, what websites can I use to find loads?
     
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  3. Rex012

    Rex012 Light Load Member

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    Apr 12, 2014
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    I don't think you can... there's loads that aren't set up for those trucks. Like heavy loads 40k and up..


    And you will need to have a log book along with all the permits
     
  4. MrGud

    MrGud Bobtail Member

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    Jan 25, 2013
    Saint Louis, MO
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    I meant to say Gooseneck Trailer. My friend is hauling loads and has a MC # on his RAM 5000. Is this good pay, worth it, etc?
     
  5. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    Merrimack, NH
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    Yes, you can do it. I pull a flatbed with a big truck and many of my loads are under 10k and would fit on a small trailer. You can also do LTL loads. LTL is Less Then A Truckload and are usually light and small.

    Your insurance is going to kill you though. If you don't have any experience will run you around $13,000 if you can get someone to insure you at all.
     
    LGarrison Thanks this.
  6. flatbedcarrier

    flatbedcarrier Medium Load Member

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    Jun 8, 2005
    Southern California
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    In MrGud's profile it shows he has 15 years of trucking experience. If the last few years of that are verifiable his insurance shouldn't be anywhere close to $13,000. Should be around half if his record is clean, and he's getting $1,000,000.00 Liability and $100,000.00 Cargo like most of us get.
     
  7. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Michigan
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    Yes you will need to log. The vehicle is over 10k GVW.
     
  8. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    TN
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    New MC# is going to pay through the nose for cargo & liability regardless of experience. Cheap insurance for startups is a thing of the past.
     
  9. flatbedcarrier

    flatbedcarrier Medium Load Member

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    Southern California
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    Working with 3 new guys right now, all new start ups, $100K cargo, $1, Million Liability, none of them are paying over $7500.00 a year. Ones in CA, ones in GA, and ones in TX.

    Just talked to a guy this morning with 30 years experience as a Owner Operator leased to Fedex doing Expedited. He's out of MI and wanting to switch to this type of work. He has no accidents, no tickets, and he was quoted by a Progressive agent something like $13,000 a year. I told him to call a different prgressive agent, or a completely different insurance company altogether. I also gave him some tips on what to say, and not to say. Leave out the terms Hotshot, and expedited, and if the agent he's talking to uses these terms correct him. Tell him you're a OTR LTL Carrier and you're not doing off highway deliveries to oil rigs, and you're not doing expedited work. He wasn't planning on doing that type of hauling to begin with. Agents start drooling when they hear the term Hotshot, or Expedited, it screams high risk and the rates go through the roof. Most Insurance agents get paid a percentage on how much they get you to pay. The more they can get out of you the more they earn.
     
  10. shooterflatch

    shooterflatch Bobtail Member

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    Feb 17, 2015
    Atlanta, GA
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    Great info - thanks! $7500 is a lot cheaper than expected - are these all new hotshot startups? Can I ask what you mean by "working with 3 new guys"? Just interested to know how you're helping these guys get started & if you'd be available to answer a few more questions. Thanks again!
     
  11. flatbedcarrier

    flatbedcarrier Medium Load Member

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    Jun 8, 2005
    Southern California
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    Yeah all 3 are new startups companies. I've seen insurance quotes for less than $7,000 but different things factor in, for instance where a guy is based, areas he's running, and value of his equipment. As far as working with new guys, I help a lot of non experienced new start ups with info, and other stuff. As far as the other stuff, because of a no advertising policy on this forum I can't really go into it. I own my own trucking company and have just over 30 years experience moving flatbed, stepdeck, and double drop, LTL freight. I just come on here in my free time to answer Hotshot/trucking related questions, and offer advice to those who are looking for it, or want it.

    If you have any Hotshot trucking related questions feel free to ask, if I can answer, I will.
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2015
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