So you want to hot-shot? (Will be updated/edited frequently)

How do you figure 6k?

 

When I say monthly expenses, I’m including personal and operating cost. I need to cover my monthly cost and be profitable. I’m not looking to get rich, I want to make sure op cost is covered but I do have to pay myself a “reasonable salary”.

 

We wouldn’t be in this business if it wasn’t profitable.

 

Chalk this up as a expensive lesson, you will likely have to pay. You could call their bluff, refuse to pay and see if they take you to court? Did you read your contract with this broker, or Shipper? Does it say anything in it to the effect that if they take you to court, you’ll have to go to court in their home town. Does it state anything like, if you lose, you’ll be responsible for their court costs as well as damages?


Next time you load something that says must tarp in wet, or damp conditions. Call the broker immediately and describe the conditions to them. Then before you sign the bol write something like, loaded in damp/wet conditions and rust is present before tarping. Then tell the shipper to sign next to what you wrote. You always have to protect yourself.

 

I'm new here and this thread has been extremely helpful. I have what may be a dumb question but because of my circumstances I have to ask. Can you apply for your MC and DOT without having a truck and trailer yet? I want to get the process started but have a few other things to take care of. I know that while waiting for this I will have to driver under contract with someone else if I can find someone willing to work with me on this.

Thank you.

 

You’ll need the truck first because the MC/USDOT will not go active unless you have the commercial insurance in play. Your commercial insurance company will have to electronically send your insurance info to the FMCSA before your authority will go active.

 

Hello;

My question is this: my tow rig is a 96 GMC Yukon with a gvwr of 6800. I have swapped in a 24 valve Cummins and a six speed Allison with one ton axles front and rear. She is currently registered as a "commercial" vehicle in the state of Idaho which increases your gvwr to 26,000. My truck weighs approximately 3000lbs more than the gvwr. How does that factor in to figuring how much weight I can I haul? Can I effectively haul 19k lbs?

 

Your empty combined weight subtracted from 26,000 equals the amount you can haul.

 

What might some of you more experienced hotshotters consider hidden costs of getting starting. I think everyone knows they need a truck and trailer as well as various dot physicals and licensing costs, but what about the cost of straps and tarps, possibly the cost of load boards, do you consider a lap top or I pad necessary. Any insight would be appreciated.