Is there enough work...

I retired last year at the age of 56 and have truly enjoyed retirement but like so many people could always use some extra money for some toys.

Coming home from a hunting trip last weekend, my gas motor in my 08 Chevy 3500 gave it up and blew the motor leaving me on the side of the interstate outside of Windover UT.

Well to make a long story long. I need a new truck. Looking at these trucks, I’m looking at putting about 65k into one and came up with the idea of buying a new truck and trailer to start a business where I could leverage it into a business with tax advantages for equipment that I need anyways.

So after some research, my plan is to get a CDL and try the hotshot route with my own equipment. But my question is, is the demand great enough to make it worth my time.

We live between Las Vegas NV and St George UT so I feel it is a good location to get some loads but thought I would get some ideas from those actually doing the job on their experience in finding loads.

If I invest 65in a truck and another 15k in a trailer, plus all the ins payments, I’ll need to hit the road running...

 

I also read the threads on having to get a business license, different stickers for the truck, ins of a million dollars... I’m looking at that also

 

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I started doing this at 54. I am semi retired but it has grown into enjoyable endeavor. To answer your question there is enough work, challenge is finding what you want to do. Demands on your family life if you run all over the country. I service my home state and the surrounding states so I am able to be home most nights.

 

I think I’m going to go for it... we plan on getting a business license making my wife the owner and me the employee I am looking at going to a community college in St. George for my cdl then getting the license and appropriate stickers for the truck. I still need to pick out a trailer and look into getting insurance.

I am going to call a few brokers today and get a feel for how much work they would have today as if I were able to start today.

my initial goal would be possibly one overnight run a week but during non summer months I would like to be closer to home. (Wife is a teacher) During the summer months I could make a few longer runs.

I am intrigued by the option to work as much or LITTLE as I want when I want. However if insurance is so expensive I well have to research on cost efficiencies...

 

If I was in your shoes I would consider delivering RV's.

Much less up front cost to start up and you don't need a CDL if you don't want one.

 

As a new startup, insurance will be high.

 

Have you looked around your local area , to check which industries have loads for for a hot shot ?

 

Well I would have the same question there... either way, I have to buy a truck. So that up front cost would be the same. I haven’t found as much work looking to move RVs. I’m looking for the tax advantage but it seems the price of insurance is going to be a big hurdle and a factor that will force me to possibly work more than I want. What would be an example of a board for loads to move RVs?

 

This thread has some interesting information on hauling RVs

RV Transporters
Check post #9 on deadheading. Quite a bit of the RV building industry seems to be in Indiana. One possible idea would be to check with your local RV dealers for any hauling they might need done .