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

Sounds like a very good question...one I really didn't consider until you asked that~ it's always important to know the stress variants on a frame length.

 

Ya Garkeller, I hear ya. And I did edit my post because it just sounded dumb. Anyhow not such a matter of "stress variants on frame length". It's a DOT issue. And as we know just because one meets an Inner or Outer Bridge, there is load on the axles as well.

 

The wood deck is also a requirement for a lot of military loads but yes the main reason is because with a all steel deck freight tends to want to slide around even when you think you have it tied down well enough.

These trailers we run here, we like them for multiple reasons. The main reasons are the lower deck height opens us up,to hauling stuff others in this type of business can't. And they weigh less than a deck over style trailer of the same length.

 

Hot Tip!

 

Bridge law and what you can do with these trailers is a very important subject.

Theres a few states with different bridge length requirements. You'll find that if you're legal for running California, you're legal for anywhere in the lower 48 states. California bridge law says you cannot exceed 40' from the center of your king pin, or gooseneck ball to the center of your rear trailer axle.

These lowboys we pull I think the bridge is set 38'. I know it's under 40, I'll have to go out back and measure one again. It's been awhile.

The positioning of any load is critical but a little more so with these lowboys we pull. I tell everyone the max weight we will load is 16,000 lbs but at our Max load weight, the load must be spread out some. For instance I wouldn't want to load 16,000 lbs in 20, or even in 25 foot. It would just be to hard in our style trailer.

 

I'm calling it a night guys, getting late and as usual I'll be getting up early to book loads, I'll try to come back on here tomorrow.

 

The allowed bridge weights are way to high to worry about with hotshot. For example, I'm pulling a Big Tex 22gn currently. The distance between the duals is 4' which, when run through the bridge formula, allows for 34k. My entire truck, trailer and load never weigh that much, never mind on those two axles alone. Its 32' spacing between my drive axle and last trailer axle, which allows for 55.5k. So yeah, not something to worry about.

Unrelated but I just realized this is my 700th post and officially makes me a heavy load member

 

Hey Flatbedcarrier and Chasingthesky... Thanks for commenting on the Bridge. That helped to clear some things up for me. Oh, congrats on your 700th post Chasingthesky!

 

Unbelievable!
Tell me if I got this right. I just tried to establish my own Hot Shot company, running a 2016 Dodge 2500 HD diesel pickemup truck; got the DOT and MC numbers, went out and bought me a new 34' flatbed two car hauling trailer, got another 34' enclosed trailer on order. Boo-ya!, gonna do me some hot shotin!! Haven't got the operating authority yet, waiting on insurance quote. In the meantime... On a 2 car run that pays $2000 over 1400 miles:
$2000
-$400 (20% commission Load Board)
$1600
-$400 (25% federal tax)
$1200
-$192 (12% MD state tax (roughly))
$1008
-$100 (10% Social Security (I actually think this is more))
$908
-$325 (fuel and food)
$583
-$200 (motel, 2 nites, can't sleep in the pickup)
$383 (that's it?!)
Not to mention LLC insurance (for the business), Accountant and Lawyer retainer fees, maintenance program fees, drug and alcohol program fees, and most importantly... Liability insurance! Yeah, I just got the quote... for a 60 year old male, no accidents or tickets, no DOT violations, have maintained a CDL for over 24 years (started out in JB Hunt in the nineties, but haven't driven within the last three years)... $19,000 per year!!! Progressive and Erie don't even insure DOT numbers any longer (at least that's what I was told). I guess they're trying to do away with Hot Shot carriers, and it's working! Anybody want to buy a brand spankin new 34' trailer?! I got one for sale (cancelled the other). Hey, let's make America great again!! Yeah, right. But, for those of you out there with experience, or those others trying to start out, is this basically correct?

 

That's what you get for running at a dollar a mile with new equipment and sleeping in a motel. Not that the second two are inherently bad but it sure ain't gonna work with those rates. I pull open deck but I rarely move for less than a buck fifty. Yeah, sometimes I have to sit or deadhead to get that which reduces the actual rate per mile but that's about the lowest I even consider. And I sleep in the truck so that's money saved. This isn't the easiest business to get into or turn a profit. At least there's people keeping the market supplied with slightly used equipment for less than retail.