Calling All Hot Shots

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by SMBdriver, Sep 6, 2011.

  1. SMBdriver

    SMBdriver Light Load Member

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    Nov 28, 2010
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    I haven't seen many other hot shots on here and thought it might be interesting to get anyone who is running hot shot to post their knowledge here.

    I'd like to hear from anyone doing hot shot, whether they're independent or leased, or a company driver. This area of trucking has been pretty closed-mouthed and we could probably help each other out some if we shared info.

    It should be said that while hot shotting is a form of expedited trucking, it is definitely not the same animal. In expediting, people use everything from cars and vans up to the big trucks, and it seems to me anyway, that the lion's share of expedited freight moves through the big carriers (UPS, FedEx, etc.)

    In hot shot trucking (in my area, at least) most of us run big pickup trucks and have at least one trailer (usually 40') on standby for bigger loads.

    Also a lot of us are independent and work for a handful of customers on-call for random quick trips rather than having a lot of constant freight moving.

    Most of us are connected to the energy industry running oil field and other energy related freight. We usually run straight from the manufacturer to the customer, and are always on a tight time line.

    If you're a hot shot, speak up and tell us about your experiences!
     
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  3. LTenterprise

    LTenterprise Bobtail Member

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    I have been trolling the internet for information about hot shotting for a while. I have a 2008 F350 diesel stakebody that sits mostly in the winter because we do landscape work in the warmer months. Also 2 F250 diesel crew cabs. So, I have been thinking about doing this and gradually moving into it full time since I am in my 50,s now. Seems like most of this type of work is centered around oil and gas fields, which we have none in Maryland, but we do have boats and poultry.
     
  4. wheelwatcher

    wheelwatcher Light Load Member

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    I'm looking into a job ad I saw for Landstar Express America/ American Xpedite.

    Ad says no phone calls so I might go down there tomorrow. I'm looking for some advice first, so I appear to know what I'm talking about when I'm there...

    It looks like they're looking for company drivers for cargo vans or box trucks... My question; If it is a company position, what should I expect to get paid?

    If I'm driving a box truck with a sleeper, living in the truck and out for weeks at a time, just like OTR... I would think the pay would be more per mile because of downtime between loads and the expedited freight factor? Am I thinking right?

    If I was an O/O of a Box truck with a sleeper, what % should I expect? Maybe 78% plus FSC???

    My thinking is that I would be better off with percentage pay either way Company or O/O... because these hotshot or expedited loads pay extra because of how quickly the freight is needed... Am I thinking right?
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2011
  5. Motownfire

    Motownfire Light Load Member

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    For whatever reason it is typically closed mouth, no one wants to talk about it.
    I for one don't get it. It's not really any different than running a big truck. You deal with the same brokers (scum of the earth) and shippers.
    It's truly tough to be a independent owner operator in the "Hot Shot" industry. I have hauled cars and oil field, I really like the oil field over cars many X's over.
     
    SMBdriver Thanks this.
  6. yendor_65

    yendor_65 Light Load Member

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    Sep 17, 2009
    Grand Blanc, Michigan
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    Most O/O pay a % usualy a 60-40 split, 60% if you pay for fuel and you get FSC or 40% if they do and they get FSC.
     
  7. Coonass

    Coonass "Freshy Fresh"

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    What part of Da South are you from.

    I run hotshot and have a few trucks leased on to Acme.

    Unlike you though we run class 8 trucks, I also have a couple single axles, and one
    straight truck.

    The terminal that we run out of has every kind of truck the oil companies could need at a
    moments notice from the little pickups ( 1/2 tons) all the way up to class 8.

    I've heard of the 60 40 split but usually see that from the OTR expediters like Panter and what not.

    Down here 99% of the drivers that run for a single O/O or a small fleet owner get paid 25% of the
    line haul.
     
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  8. SMBdriver

    SMBdriver Light Load Member

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    Nov 28, 2010
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    Man, you are right about that closed mouth thing. It's like pulling teeth to get most hot shots to even stop and talk unless they're new to the business and looking for info.

    I don't get it either, maybe it's just the way they were taught.

    And yep on the oil field stuff, the pay is better and the loads are usually smaller. All the other stuff we can put on the trailers is iffy as far as the amount people will pay to have it hauled. I've heard cars are really hard to get any money for hauling these days. A friend of mine started out his own business doing that and got into a big truck when the prices started tanking on the car hauling.
     
  9. SMBdriver

    SMBdriver Light Load Member

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    I'm in Oklahoma, the southernest part:biggrin_25519:
    I checked into Acme for some back hauls when I was down in LA this past spring but my timing was off and they didn't have loads going out this way.

    Seems I'm doing pretty well though with just with just one broker and a few direct customers, and I work pretty hard at keeping them happy. The best thing about that is I get 100% on the direct customers, which in turn makes me happy.
     
  10. SMBdriver

    SMBdriver Light Load Member

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    I can tell you that I would be cautious about using a Ford for hot shotting if you get into hauling heavy freight... and I'm a Ford girl at heart. I had an F250 that I ended up trading off for my Dodge and part of the reason was that everyone who hot shots around here said I'd break that Ford down in no time hauling with it.

    Now, that might be just Dodge talk, but I can honestly say that little Ford would never have made it past the first few trailer loads I hauled, and trading it off was probably the best move I made equipment-wise.

    As for freight, you can just about hot shot anything. Back east I think you might get more info looking at expediting, which I think they actually call it there as hot shotting is more of a Texas / oilfield description. It seems to me if someone needs something, anything, to go from point a to point b in a hurry, then you should be able to capitalize on that need if you can get it there for them.

    I'd start looking at industrial customers with deep pockets, maybe high priced motors, specialized parts, etc, that are heavy by UPS standards, say 200 lbs and up, and see if there's work to be had moving that stuff on just the truck. It might be in your area there are customers enough that you wouldn't need a trailer and could just do individual or small groups of pallets.

    Another option is moving trailers. I did quite a bit of that and some of it payed fairly well. If there are trailer manufacturers in your area they have someone hauling them off to retailers, it's just a matter of talking to them and finding out if you can get in with them.
     
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  11. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    I had a Ford F350 2002, 7.3. When I got to 507,000 miles, I had two transmissions and 2 motors.

    Went to the last of the 5.9 Dodges, 2007. Now have 641,000 on it and it is a much better truck.
     
    Fullforce and SMBdriver Thank this.
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