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

chainchaser I'm just north of nola in covington, can you do what you want to do? yes just not right now work is slow for united vision and acme oilfield is just slow. i think they are predicting the end of the year before oil prices go up. i have my own client base i run for daily but i don't run oilfield. i have a dodge with 36' gooseneck and a international 8600 tandem truck with a 48x102. if you want more info send me an Im.

 

This thread has been great. Im an active duty Soldier that drives for the Army. I just finally got around to getting my Class A CDL, and I am looking to pick up loads in a casual manner (if I take leave, or long weekends). I'll be able to use the info here. I might try to sneak into my Father In Law's business to learn the business end of the operation. Thanks for the info.

Equipment Question: when going for the 3500 or 4500: what's the preference on make? How many miles is the maximum that you will allow before the truck is too high risk?

 

These trucks aren't any different really than semi trucks, except that they cost less to operate. If you take care of them you can get a half million, to a million miles on them before needing the engine rebuilt. Sure they'll need repairs in between just like semi trucks do.

Myself, I prefer the Dodge Ram brand. Mainly because I like the longevity and dependability I've experienced with a straight six diesel.

Something that needs to be said. This business doesn't work well part time. That's because even when the truck is parked it's costing you money. Commercial insurance isn't really something you want to turn off and on. It requires a large down payment and a sizable monthly payment. Not just that, truck and trailer payments, licensing,,etc all add up. Having a truck sitting, set up to run isn't cheap.

 

Where's that one Duramax operator you had in your fleet?? As a Duramax owner, I liked that setup the best

Also, flatbedcarrier, you talk a lot about your business and the guys on your team... can you PM me the name of your company if you're not allowed to advertise it here? Just for future potential of joining your team.

 

fl0w3n, If I pm'd you my contact info on here somebody would likely try to use that to get me kicked out of here. From what I understand this forum has a very strict advertising policy and I really don't want to violate any of their rules . I like being able to offer new guys free advice about this type of business and I can't do that if I'm banned from the forum.

 

Guys I've been reading all of this and have decided I'd like to lease for 6 or 7 months to figure out the best lanes and so on. I have a flat bed with a 34' floor. Here's the deal though. I'm on the east coast in NC. I've been researching 2 companies. Cheetah and Hot Shot Carries. Does anyone know anything about these two or have another to add to my list? I've been running OTR 32 years and after much debating with myself I decided to go hot shot instead of what I've been doing all these years. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Wish you the best of luck Virginia Hillbilly. Make sure you read all the fine print in the lease agreement.

 

I have been watching this thread and read front fro back for the last 2 months as well as some others. In SW Oklahoma everything has dried up
I have the $$ to start but have seen a lot of people saying lite loads under 26k are none productive and hard to find, but I see a lot of them on boards that I have signed up to. I have my truck and found a trailer that will allow me to run legally up to 25.5k. This reason is because that is where me $$$ run out and still leaves me with 12k for operating expenses. Will I really be asked to get loads or am I wasting my time and need to wait till I can go all out with 40' trailer and all. Any info would be appreciated I am doing this to support my family and have driven in the past and lived out but stayed home when the kids were young. I need your advise please.

 

Your right there are loads available on the boards for hotshots. The problem is they pay like crap. Sure, you could keep busy running these loads but you will also go broke doing so.

I would get a 8-5 job with benefits and insurance and a guaranteed check every week. Save your money!