Need info about tow aways

Your second to last question is yes, but if you do tow away, you would be exempt from elogs. If you load them on a trailer you would have to have elogs.

 

That is bad information. Driveaway/Towaway is only exempt from the elog mandate when the vehicle being driven is part of the shipment. You can not operate your own power unit in a Driveaway/Towaway operation without logging the entire trip. Please see the quick information brochure from the FMCSA at this link for information. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/ELD Brochure.pdf

 

The answer to your questions vary depending on several things. The payload capacity of your combination will vary depending on which truck and trailer you choose. Most likely you will be into CDL territory with any decent setup, which will also mean apportioned registration, IFTA, drug testing, etc. Just the same as the big trucks have. This will be ok though because it opens you up to general hotshot freight to get out of bad markets, or when the campers slow down, anf they will as they are very seasonal, you can pickup other hotshot freight. A dually and step deck can gross out in the 30-40,000 pound range and will tare around 18-20,000 pounds with the right options.

As for elogs, see my post above. They only way you could be exempt from elogs in your operation would be if you were driving the campers to their destination then taking another form of transportation home such as your "toad" (the name they give to the car you tow behind the rv/truck). If you wanted to use your own truck, even to pull just one camper trailer you would still have to log the trip, and technically the return trip as well since you are heading back towards your next load.

For your last question, I can't hazard a guess about your net profit weekly, way too many variables.

 

@Ryan S2016 You want to add to this, you are very knowledgeable about hotshots.

 

Not exactly true. That's applicable to the driveaway part, but you did notice there's a second part to that involving the word tow, right? I mean you typed out the word towaway, so...

Question 22: Is a motor vehicle drawing a non-self-propelled mobile home that has one or more set of wheels on the roadway, a driveaway-towaway operation?

Guidance: Yes, if the mobile home is a commodity. For example, the mobile home is transported from the manufacturer to the dealer or from the dealer or other seller to the buyer.

Question 23: Can a truck tractor drawing a trailer be a driveaway-towaway operation?

Guidance: Yes, if the trailer is a commodity. For example, the trailer is transported from the manufacturer to the dealer or from the dealer or other seller to the buyer.

Question 24: Are trailers which are stacked upon each other and drawn by a motor vehicle by attachment to the bottom trailer, a driveaway-towaway operation.

Guidance: No. Only the bottom trailer has one or more sets of wheels on the roadway. The other trailers are cargo.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/390.5

 

In regards to the bit about the 53' trailer, you're going to run into a lot of trouble with that long of a trailer behind a one ton. Texas, I believe it is, is really hammering hotshots right now for being over 65', which is a lot of the guys pulling 40's. If you wanted to go with a long trailer, it'd be best to go with a higher class tractor to pull it, not a pickup.

 

Yes I noticed the word TOWAWAY, and yes I am still correct. Your link is to the guidance for the definitions of Driveaway/Towaway operations, and is correct as to the definitions. Look at the guidance for who needs to use an electronic logging device, the only exception for Driveaway/Towaway is if the VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN IS PART OF THE SHIPMENT. Last time I checked you can't DRIVE a trailer! By your logic, all the trailer transit guys would never have to comply with hours of service.
Click on this link, scroll down to page two and read the exceptions to the rule section on the bottom right hand side. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/ELD Brochure.pdf

Also, if you are lazy, here is the FMCSA exemption criteria from their website, with the link to the page following. BOLD added for emphasis.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-exceptions-are-allowed-electronic-logging-device-rule


Who is exempt from the ELD rule?
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Drivers who use the timecard exception are not required to keep records of duty status (RODS) or use ELDs. Additionally, the following drivers are not required to use ELDs; however, they are still bound by the RODS requirements in 49 CFR 395 and must prepare logs on paper, using an Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD), or with a logging software program when required:

• Drivers who use paper RODS for not more than 8 days out of every 30-day period.
• Drivers who conduct drive-away-tow-away operations, where the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered.
• Drivers of vehicles manufactured before 2000.

 

@brian991219 My mistake, I wasn't thinking of the extra clarification in the exemption when I replied.

 

Cool. I am sorry I came on strong, late night and I am a bit cranky. Please accept my apology for being a bit rude, it is not my normal style.