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

I think they liked the rig to be honest! The person I spoke to claimed they'll take anywhere from 20-30% depending who pays for fuel but once I go legal I feel like my current routine will not be very profitable. If I run empty, which is proving hard to avoid with my limited space. I seem to eat alot of profit quickly,

Mileage isn't bad at all (9mpg worst so far) but IDK if because my truck is deleted. I have to add DEF every fillup?

 

Sadly no.
I only just started up here in the northeast. Haven’t even made it to TN yet.
I budget started. Older truck, new trailer, and a dream.
Figure I’d try to stay close to home for my first big breakdown before taking her on a long haul. Lol

 

Hello guys and gals. I'm looking at this hot shot stuff my self. I have a big truck that I run locally and it's about paid off. So was thinking on putting a driver in it or my wife wants to run the dually for a couple days or so a week. Just really looking for the extra income to set up our 5 year plan. Lol! The only issue we have is that some of these outfits want ya out 10 plus days and we'd rather be able to pick a load up and run it out,then load back to or towards the home front here in Florida. Any input or leads would be greatly appreciated.

 

This is a really difficult business to not be dedicated to.
The companies that want you out minimum 10 days at a time are looking out for their bottom line. It’s easier to get people to sign on for 10 day minimum vs getting someone for 5 days OTR. They are trying to minimalist their downtime.

If your looking to just run a out and back a couple times a week. I would start “knocking on doors” in your area. Visit businesses in your area that are likely to be shipping freight or vehicles in and out.
Used car dealerships, equipment and rental outfits, bulk item manufacturers, maybe even junkyards in the area. Companies of this sort.
Junkyards might have parts listed online and are looking for ways to ship it more efficiently. I know of two in my area that do used car sales too. They’ll buy vehicles from auction all over the country, good way to try and get in for return trips.
That takes care of your out trips. You can also use loadboards to fill the gaps to and from. Might even build a relationship with a good broker or two that will CALL YOU.

Just take it with a grain of salt. This isn’t part time work to make an extra buck. The cost of operation is rather high. Insurance and all your filings to run legal is an arm and a leg, and if you aren’t running every week you could go negative quickly.
It’s better to run legal though. You don’t want to pay the fines for trying to fly under the radar.
Read as much as you can through this thread alone. It has invaluable information. 4+ years of talk throughout it from seasoned vets in the industry!

 

Hello everyone
Im in NEPA and in the process of starting up...I'm getting my own authority and my good friend is going to work for me...I have 05 2500 Cummins g56 non cdl..he has 05 ford dually working on cdl...we both have clean driving records, he has driving experience...I was expecting insurance at 10k for me, not sure with him added..I do plan on paying insurance 75% or in full for the year...I had a few people email me load boards of the area and to us it looked good...I'm wondering what others are seeing on the boards and thoughts of the area...I'm looking to pick up clients quick for my loads going out...his wife is a stay at home mom with a degree in business, she's going to help us out while we're driving and hopefully also be dispatching...My cousin has a very successful small business llc and is going to guide me through..we both work together right now Making $18 an hour, so my needs aren't high...I ran numbers and I alone would need 6k a month to stay in the green with a profit ...I know the shorter trips aren't always there and paying well but I'm trying to be out for a week or 2 at most then be home for a few days...I'm hungry for business I'm motivated ready to work...I plan on being dedicated even on my days off

Any feedback, advice, comments are appreciated thanks

 

I’m in the process of creating my business name. Is there a procedure and I’m abit confused, for ex. DBA is hotshot(just an example) and the type of business hotshot is LLC but it ask what’s the name of the LLC filing this DBA? Also, as far as address are you doing home or creating some type of virtual mailbox?

 

I am in the same boat as you but I am brand new in this and hoping to get started asap. I got the truck (Ram 3500 duly) but am unclear on what else I need to do to get started. I was going to get my US DOT but was told that I didn't have to or shouldn't because then nobody would want to hire me to hotshot because they would think I would take their clients. I am planning on hot shoting with a 34' trailer here in Texas. What would be your advice?

 

You have a truck, you need information. Read everything in this whole hotshot section. Not only this thread, start asking questions about what you understand and what you do not. Example to answer the question about the DOT number and getting it or not the answer is yes and no. You do not need a DOT number if you lease on to a carrier that has one. If you are working for your self you need one. As far as taking clients for anyone “ THAT IS THE FASTEST WAY TO FAILURE “ in my opinion. When I started I listened to everyone, a lot of them didn’t know how to succeed. The state of Texas has a lot of people in this business. Find someone who is successful and learn.

 

What do you mean by "taking clients for anyone" ?
Cause whatever that is, sounds like it is something I do not want to do.

 

Do not take any customer from anyone that sent you to that customer. If you try to solicit someone be sure a broker or someone that you are leased did not send you there to pickup something previously. If so you probably won’t be doing business with either one ever.