The pickup truck and flatbed. Dying trend?

Had a guy test with me on friday that does it, way he tells it this is working well for him. I want to do this too when I figure out which end of a truck goes up.

 

It's not dying where we are. There are some who make a fair to middling living doing this sort of work. It also helps to have industry that produces the bulky stuff that is not heavy and fit onto a hotshot and trailer nicely. No need for a class 8 flatbed when you can do it just as well with a nice dually pickup 5th wheel deck trailer gooseneck.

 

It's a far cry from a dieing trend. They're still around. All over the place. And going nowhere anytime soon.

 

They sure going nowhere soon, they are everywhere, look like it's a great idea right now I'm looking to ad one to my business. They haul anything nd go places we can't go with class 8 trucks

 

Ive been running hotshots for 3 yrs and the rates were a lot better a year ago. If you are booking loads on loadboards, it can take hours of stalking to find something decent paying over a buck a mile..Im running small hotshots tho, 25 ft, 8-13k hauling capability. The larger one is probably running at about 1.25 all miles recently (1 yr)..smaller one about 1.15..just enough to pay the bills but not exactly killin it. When the rates were a little better, it was closer to 1.50/mile . I really think the long term future of the business though, is about getting direct customers. Its easier to plan , and, should pay more without 40% coming out of many loads...Brokers have two people taking out of the load many times..its the freight broker,and, the agent..a lot fo the time, i see its around 40% of the load..

 

I see them all over I 81 N,S fron NY to VA.

 

I wouldn't mind trying my luck with a diesel 1-ton. Those little Class 3 trucks for the most part get great MPG compared to what you get in a Class 8 tractor and are (a little) cheaper to fix and maintain.

 

. When you get a opportunity get longer trailer.

 

Yes , I realize this would be better, but, ive held off because I still dont have a cdl..Dont do too bad without one, but, definitely want to get one so you can haul more weight. Think my rate per mile would go up enough to justify the other added costs, but, ill do a complete cost analysis before I buy one.