1st week almost over on my own numbers as a hotshot

Finally got on the road under my own numbers. I was a bit worried about my truck, as I simply repurposed my 05 f350 SRW for the task. I did a ton of work on it to get it ready and seems to have paid off..

I intended to try and stay local in FL for a bit but hell if I'm working at those rates..

Took a dollar mile load out of FL to SC delivered Mon. Dead headed to Charlotte "230 miles" to pick up 2k lbs a $2/mile load to Toledo that delivered Tuseday.. Normally wouldn't dead head that far but was trying to stay lightweight..

Drove all night dropped in Toledo on Tues got rear ended leaving the reciever by some idiot texting.. bent the c channel on my trailer that the ramps hook into.

Decided to take the day off at a hotel because my clock was dead. Noticed a little radiator drip from the truck. Ended up being a upper radiator hose so I fixed that wed was easy fix but took the day off at the hotel just in case it it was more..

Had a much harder time than I expected getting a load out of Toledo.. Several BS brokers or guys that wouldnt work with new companies.

Wasn't planned but a picked up a $2/mile load back to FL that was a rush order of 2 cars that needed to be there by Sat.

For those curious I pulled $3,5k for my 1st week and that was me leaving FL on a crap load and working 5 days while going out of my way to get 2 light loads at the start. Current kiad is about 7,5k with the 2 cars and truck is doing fine..

Things I learned... Air mattress suck.. ######## shouldn't text and drive. I need a better set up for dealing with broker paperwork and maybe my trailer isnt best option..

I bought a 35ft low boy flat deck so I could haul cars and freight.. problem is my flat deck in front of the wheel wells is only 16ft that is 8ft wide. This has cost me a lot of loads. Seems the average load I see is 20ft..

Meaning I'm missing a lot of freight options. For the record I dont think $3,5k was great but for 1st week while just getting out there it's not bad.

 

My commerical insurance was $12 but I added $10k coverage for each my truck and trailer which cost me roughly an additional $2k/year. The $12k was no comp/collision on my equipment and I opted to add that at the last min.

On the hotel.. meh.. I used to rough it in my semi but I have no issues paying a day or two here and there for a bit of comfort.

I dont have many bill's so a random hotel room helps keep the tax man away..

As far as income, I'd like to hit $4-5k/week and do 2 weeks out 2 weeks home. Its probably hard to hit that being I have to come out of FL and the rates suck now.

Yea so far as payments all I have is equipment repairs, $200/month for the trailer and $1k/ month insurance. I do plan to upgrade to a 450 or 550 this winter but it will be another one I built out myself most likely..

I want to stay away from DPF trucks.. and being you cant delete them now it means running a older body.. I'm toying with building a 1999 F550 and putting a 6.7 Cummins crate engine in it. These Ford Super Dutys are easy to interchange parts..

My thinking is buying a blown up 08-2010 swapping a 1999 cab for the pre-emissions title then building what I want..

 

Not normally but if Im going to sit all day, sure..

 

I had to build confidence in it. Even a newer truck can have break downs. I drove the heck out of it before taking it on the road.