Thinking about being a hotshot driver need some input!

I haven't calculated my overall average. The way I do it when I'm at home is look for 1, 2, or sometimes 3 good paying loads preferably one starting close to home and the others not too far from where I'll be next. I start out asking $1.10-$1.25/mi depending on what it is and where it goes. I'll settle for $1/mi if I have to. After I book those I start looking for side loads and loads to cover deadheads. I opened a separate bank account just for the business and let my wife handle all the accounting. I average $1,500-$2,000/wk profit off the initial trips. Of course out of that I spend around $200-400/mo on truck maintenance and already paid $4,800 for a year's worth of commercial liability and cargo insurance. Not to mention the small fortune I've spent on equipment and supplies. Overall, despite the large startup cost I am happy with the results that are starting to show.

The biggest key to my quick success in the business is customer service. I keep in constant contact with all my clients and make them feel how dedicated I am to the safety and timing of their shipment. Over half of my clients have used me again and again and nearly all of them say they will use me again if they ever need anything shipped again.

The only thing I have not run into yet, but I know I will before too long is how to handle major problems that the truck will have at some point from putting so many miles of heavy hauling on it. I haven't decided if it would be better to buy a new truck every so often, or keep putting money into the one. Either way can be a huge expense. I guess the reason this is on my mind so much is probably because my truck has the notorious 6.0 powerstroke diesel with 167k now. She runs great now, but any truck will have problems eventually if you do this kind of work.

 

i live in wv what r hauling tht u don't need a trailer.just wondering

 

Mostly boats and campers. If it's a boat or bumper pull camper I try to book a motorcycle or 4wheeler to put in the bed of my truck along the route. When it's a 5th wheel or goose neck I cannot of course. I have also hauled a few utility trailers, concession stand trailers, and even a mobile pet grooming station built out of an enclosed trailer. It started just booking a camper and a couple of boats on a trip. Next thing I know the same people kept calling with more boats and campers so that's nearly all I've been hauling.

 

The business I am in is going downhill, but I am looking in to running some hotshot loads and maybe rv transport as well but want to be home for church on midweek and weekends. Any pointers on this

 

I would say the biggest key to your success is hauling for $1pm!
Good for you if you can actually run a business and make money at those rates, my hat is off to you.

 

Where did you get your insurance from?
Thanks

 

It's not all that difficult. Yea diesel is high, but I get on average 15MPG with a big load and 17-18 with a small one, sleep in the truck usually 3-4 days, then 1 night in a hotel and another 3-4 days in the truck and so on. I get free showers at any pilot and flying j's under their fuel rewards program and every so many hotel stays I'll earn a free night under the various rewards programs. Also, when I book a travel trailer at $1/mi and a 4 wheeler at $0.75/mi then I'm making $1.75/mi. Most of the time I hardly have any dead heading so that's not hurting me. And probably the biggest key is just keep it on the road and cover as much ground as possible each day. Not to mention, I don't touch anything that is too short because then the per/mile rate doesn't make sense to even mess with it.

 

Progressive Commercial

 

Sounds good in theory, hotshot trucks aren't exactly million mile trucks and you may want to start a fund for renewal.
You will probably pick up a decent customer base that pay a little better after a while and closer to home which will cut down on expenses and become more profitable but for now, well done getting going.

 

Yea, I had a few costly issues with my truck lately. About gave up and bought a new one, but after doing the numbers and making a hopeful guess that after this I won't have anything else major for at least a little while it added up to toss money at this truck before buying a new one... For now... I figure she should make 300k or so before I have to give up on her. That is good advice, I've been saving some just for these repairs because I knew it was coming at some point, but maybe I should focus on more long term in saving for another truck that I know I will have to get at some point. Thanks for your reply!