Hot shot trailers

Just my 2 cents. I operate as a owner operator. this means I book my own loads (through my company) pay insurance etc. I understand that the standard length in this biz is 40'. However, I book 99.5% of my loads through load boards (brokers), and I have NEVER ran out of room using a 30 foot trailer. Let me explain: if we have 20', 30' or 40' feet we are limited by weight (a 25' gooseneck has same GVWR as a 40" {in most cases}), and in fact, a shorter trailer is a little lighter. our payload (cargo capacity) is somewhere between 14000 pounds to 16000 pounds depending on trailer. Right? I have never been in a situation where I have ran out of room doing a haul, I always run out of weight and so if I had a 40' trailer I would be in the same boat. Now, I understand that some of you guys haul pipe, and for that I got it, not too heavy but you need the length. but for steel, tractors, cement forms, power units etc you are going to be limited by the weight not the length (These trailer can only take so much weight with hitches maxed out at 25000 pounds - or in some cases 30000 pounds) . again, if you plan on only hauling cars, or long pipe then go with longer trailer. again just speaking from my experience. why pull a longer heaver trailer when in the end you are not going to use all the space available?

 

Booking loads myself in Ontario we get $3 to $4 a mile local within a 150 mile radios (give or take a little). for longer hauls you (in most cases) are looking at less per mile. I find local work more profitable than long haul as Brokers will find space on a big 53 footer to tag on a LTL. If you can find work (there is a lot on good load boards) that is more local, you can carve a niche as most Big Rigs are putting in longer miles.

 

If you like, as I am not sure if you are working or looking to start you can take a look at part 5 of my "how to get started in HotShot". There are 5 videos of me blabbering on.... but in part 5 you can see loads with explanations. Just thought I would share. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpG1CThxhJ8

 

You know, I dont really know about the oil stuff. It may be good to call a few brokers who deal in that area and ask. maybe there is a lot of pipe or parts that need the room but dont weigh so much? Sorry I can't be much help with the oil field hauls. Steve