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

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by HOTSHOTTER432, Apr 29, 2015.

  1. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 19, 2019
    New York
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    So you got your med, license, truck and trailer. First factor in parking for the truck and trailer until you are all sorted out. I paid $64 dollars for a pair of dot stickers. If your leasing on you will need insurance down payment and fuel money for at least a month. If you are flatbedding you need straps, chains, binders and tarps. Also, mandatory kit like fuses, your reflective triangles, fire extinguisher, first aid kit. After you buy all of that keep some replacement money to swap out straps when they wear out, fix/replace tarps. I'd keep at least 2-3 extra straps more than I need on the truck. Now find out how much it costs to replace tires and have enough for at least 2 for emergency situation.
    I bought a nice new tablet and I use it for web access, entertainment and navigation. A tablet with a stylus saved me not needing a printer. I can sign documents and send them back straight away.
    Basic tools like a jack that can lift my trailer when it is loaded, extra trailer lights, extra wires and extra bulbs for my truck. Cheaper than a ticket in the end. I went with keep trucking ELD and that cost me $240 for the year. I kit out my truck for some comfort. I have a full sunshade kit for my truck for full blackout if I need to sleep during the day, battery operated fan for when I dont want to idle all night. Good phone quick chargers, ect...

    So far starting out I am $80k in the hole and 50% finance on my truck. I'm a car hauler and got my own authority and apportioned plates so I pay a little more than a flatbedder leasing on. I did buy a slightly fancier truck and a slightly fancier trailer then I could have. I do have a few dispatchers and a broker waiting to work with me. I have an uncle that is also new in the business with a rented 3 car hauler and a rented truck and if I make at least as much as he does I'll pay myself back within the year maybe less. Note I don't have kids or any expense except my new venture.

    Also, insurance went up this year and the quote you get might surprise you. Even more so if you have a new CDL and a new authority. If I could start over I'd get the quotes before I even buy a truck. I'd also move my business to a more truck friendly state and maybe would have went to flatbedding instead.
     
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  3. cudaracer68

    cudaracer68 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 5, 2019
    Sacramento CA
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    Would you put the extra expenses in the 5-10k range or more? What is required to set up in a more "truck friendly" state? I'm out of California but have family in Idaho and close friends moving into Texas within the year.I appreciate the information as I am like many others trying to understand if this type of trucking will work for me. Unfortunately Youtube and those loudest on the internet always seem to be the ones doing very well and that is not always how life plays out.
     
  4. 24kHotshot

    24kHotshot Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 19, 2019
    New York
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    The expenses vary wildly. It depends on how cheap or expensive your kit is, what kind of truck you are going with, what your insurance quote will be, ect... Price out the straps, chains and tarps you want and then keep extra money for replacements and repairs. My insurance down payment was $6k (car hauler) by itself. About $2500 for my authority through an agent. I think I will need about $3k for a month worth of fuel to start out. About a grand for tire emergencies. I'm out $1500 for a month and a half of truck parking because it's taking time to get my authority active and get the truck ready.

    A truck friendly state will save you on insurance. It depends if you are leasing or getting your own authority. If you are leasing then what ever the company you are leasing to, can get you insurance wise. If it's your own authority I'd get quotes from any state you have an address in. FL,NY,CA,WA and DE are all killer on insurance according to my insurance broker. I'm looking to relocate to NC later on to get a better deal on insurance. I'd look for dispatchers rather than deal with loadboards to get started. Learn the ins and outs of it and then dispatch yourself if you want later on.

    I'm new too and not working yet. My authority should be active in about a week. I'm 95% ready to go. Glad to help with anything I can.
     
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  5. crocky

    crocky Road Train Member

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    Pictures, pictures, pictures of everything you load before you strap it and after and after you tarp it, then when you unload...

    I used to ship flatbed LTL and full loads for a company I worked for and even as the shipper, I took picture of every single pallet before it went on the truck and after it was loaded then after it was tarped. This way if it was damaged in route I could prove to the receiver that it left the shipper in good condition so the damage was done by the carrier or at the receiving end.

    If you guys are not fully documenting your loads with pictures then you are crazy.. (btw I know I quoted flatbedcarrier, but don't mean you specifically you seem to know your ####, but was more a reply in general to everyone)
     
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  6. crocky

    crocky Road Train Member

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    Jun 28, 2017
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    flatbedcarrier Thanks this.
  7. RamTruckerOhio

    RamTruckerOhio Bobtail Member

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    Feb 25, 2015
    Slidell, LA
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    Hey all you out there. I’ve been here before and looking to come back in the game. LiteBug helped me a lot back in the day with a bunch of information, thanks. I am wondering how you are all seeing rates and load availability. I hear it is rough out there these days, but would love to hear from the professionals on the road today. Let me know what you doing and if things are still going well or should I look for other avenues. I appreciate this forum and all you in it. Stay safe out there.
     
  8. Bill O’lading

    Bill O’lading Light Load Member

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    Aug 11, 2019
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    it cost me 300$ for my dot/mc by calling the fmcsa myself.this was in 2013
     
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  9. Lite bug

    Lite bug Road Train Member

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    May 3, 2014
    Columbus Ohio
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    Hilaberton services the oil industry i believe in your area. I ran across a Marine doing a lot of work for them. With your experience seems like good fit. They have plenty of work. Do you still have that same truck?
     
    RamTruckerOhio Thanks this.
  10. RamTruckerOhio

    RamTruckerOhio Bobtail Member

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    Feb 25, 2015
    Slidell, LA
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    Thanks, buddy. Don’t have that rig anymore. Looking at some new equipment. Hope you’re doing well.
     
    Lite bug Thanks this.
  11. RStewart

    RStewart Road Train Member

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    Aug 21, 2015
    Norman, OK
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    I know they make kits to turn the back seat of these trucks into a DOT legal sleeper birth or one can buy a sleeper for these trucks. So that leads me to my question, do any of you guys that DON'T have a DOT legal sleeper birth just log off duty instead of sleeper? If so, has DOT ever harassed you about it?

    I currently run a semi with a sleeper but I never log sleeper unless I'm wanting to do a split break. I always just log off duty and have for most of the years I've been trucking. I've never had DOT question it.
     
    singlescrewshaker and Lite bug Thank this.
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