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Is there money to be made hot shotting as a side gig?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by madmedic8526, Oct 3, 2020.

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  1. Oct 3, 2020 #1
    madmedic8526

    madmedic8526 Bobtail Member

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    Hello all,

    A little background about myself:

    I’m a full time firefighter/paramedic. I love my job and have no plans on quitting it. I currently have a small lawn care business on the side that I really want to get out of. I’m considering going the hotshot trucking route for a couple of reasons ( if my assumptions are correct):

    I can take time off when I need to for personal sanity (I cannot when the lawn season starts - the grass does not care if you’re burnt out or not).

    I get 4 days off at a time from my full time job. I’d like to be home MOST evenings in the beginning as I still have kids living at home (they’ll be seniors next year, twins) so I can still spend time with them. I may decide to venture out more once they’re in college.

    I love trucks (particularly diesels). As childish as that may sound, I need a reason to own one. I can pay my bills pretty comfortably with just my full time job but owning a truck isn’t really practical financially. Which brings me to my next point:

    I need something to do on my days off or I find myself spending more than I can afford.

    Lastly, I figure this could also be an opportunity for my wife and I to travel a little after the kids are gone and make some money doing it.

    Sorry for the lengthy post, just wanted to introduce myself. I look forward to see what everyone has to say.
     
    madmedic8526, Oct 3, 2020
    madmedic8526, Oct 3, 2020
    #1
    Mooseontheloose, singlescrewshaker and D.Tibbitt Thank this.
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  3. Oct 3, 2020 #2
    D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    D.Tibbitt, Oct 3, 2020
    D.Tibbitt, Oct 3, 2020
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    singlescrewshaker Thanks this.
  4. Oct 3, 2020 #3
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Where is your location?
    May be better to get your cdl and work for a cdl driver staffing agency. This way you work when you want to.
    `
     
    Chinatown, Oct 3, 2020
    Chinatown, Oct 3, 2020
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  6. Oct 3, 2020 #5
    madmedic8526

    madmedic8526 Bobtail Member

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    Im located in the St. Louis area. I would imagine there would be plenty of work around here, I just don’t even know where to start. How does a CDL staffing agency work? Forgive my ignorance, I just started kicking this idea around a couple of days ago.
     
    madmedic8526, Oct 3, 2020
    madmedic8526, Oct 3, 2020
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    singlescrewshaker Thanks this.
  8. Oct 3, 2020 #5
    singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    St. Louie is a good area, better one than I'm in at least..

    Let me ask this. How many of those 4days off are weekdays.?
    Weekends are much harder to book freight, even deliver freight you'll be lucky if a reciever is open till noon on a Saturday..

    You have a class A CDL, or you looking to run under 26,001lb gross weight.?

    Read around here in the hotshot section & you'll get overwhelming the same answer. It's a tough go putting all your time & effort in, let alone as part time..

    I hate being a person to shoot others down, cause we all got a dream. So I'd say, maybe there is a company that you could lease on to with your own truck & trailer. They'd have the freight lined up, & insurance will be cheaper under their carrier authority than your own.. Just an fyi, new carrier authority insurance quotes can be in the $30k a year range..

    As for local home every night hotshot..
    I'll pass the buck to @Lite bug
    I believe it took him a few years, but that feller is onto something..
    You home most nights, right Bug.?
     
    singlescrewshaker, Oct 3, 2020
    singlescrewshaker, Oct 3, 2020
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    madmedic8526 and D.Tibbitt Thank this.
  9. Oct 3, 2020 #6
    madmedic8526

    madmedic8526 Bobtail Member

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    I’m on a very predictable 6 day schedule. I work 48 hour shifts, then get 96 hours off. For instance, this week, I work Tuesday and Wednesday, next week Monday and Tuesday, the following week Sunday and Monday and so on.

    I do not have a class A at the moment, but I’ve been thinking about getting one for other reasons.

    Hmm, I wonder what companies are around here to lease on to...
     
    madmedic8526, Oct 3, 2020
    madmedic8526, Oct 3, 2020
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    singlescrewshaker Thanks this.
  10. Oct 4, 2020 #7
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    CDL A & B Drivers | Trillium Staffing
    CDL A & B Drivers | Trillium Staffing
    Find out what Trillium Staffing can do for you. Our company database includes hundreds of thousands of screened, qualified candidates nationwide, allowing us to quickly respond with a trusted, experienced CDL A & B Driver willing to work temporary or permanent assignments, based on your needs.
     
    Chinatown, Oct 4, 2020
    Chinatown, Oct 4, 2020
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    madmedic8526 and singlescrewshaker Thank this.
  11. Oct 4, 2020 #8
    singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    I just popped this into google. Typed hotshot truck lease owner operator.

    I have no idea if any of these places are any good.. Just did a quick search. By owning your own equipment, I'm assuming you can take whatever loads they offer you, & turn down what you don't want. I'm thinking you may have trouble being home every night.? But hey, you never know..

    Hot Shot Companies To Lease On With

    HOTSHOT 107 TruckingHotShot 107
     
    singlescrewshaker, Oct 4, 2020
    singlescrewshaker, Oct 4, 2020
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    madmedic8526 Thanks this.
  12. Oct 4, 2020 #9
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Trillium CDL Staffing also has driving jobs for people without a cdl.
    These are non-cdl driving jobs.
    These jobs are for lightweight trucks and some hotshot trucks.
     
    Chinatown, Oct 4, 2020
    Chinatown, Oct 4, 2020
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    madmedic8526 and singlescrewshaker Thank this.
  13. Oct 4, 2020 #10
    Lite bug

    Lite bug Road Train Member

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    Singlecrewshaker has given you good intel. Your idea has merit in theory. It is difficult to make a go of it full time just so many things to consider. You could deliver RV’s from Indiana back to Saint Louis area on the days off. A fabrication shop needing stuff shipped within a few hours drive, with that comes insurance, numbers, and such. Your talking to guys at the truck stop is good idea.
     
    Lite bug, Oct 4, 2020
    Lite bug, Oct 4, 2020
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