Hot-Shot Load boards???

Try U-ship.com

 

Not trying to burst his bubble but the time to find about how and where to get loads in this business is before buying the set-up. I've seen many folks blow their wad on new trucks and trailers only to lose their behind. Buying the truck and trailer is the easiest part of this gig. I did hot-shot expediting with vans and straight trucks AND delivered boats, RVs, cargo trailers and toy-haulers off and on for years and it's getting tougher and tougher to make a buck doing that. I did really well with the cargo trailers and toy haulers until the manufacturer I was delivering for decided to buy their own rig, hire a driver and pay him $12/hour to deliver. That's when I jumped ship. Stay away from Uship, it's garbage. Many of the posts are tire-kickers, not even half serious about shipping anything, just posting to try and get a feel of the rates. I've complained about this twice to the admins and they don't care.

Hot-shotting is much different than delivering campers as the content is time-sensitive and you usually need at least a cargo van or straight truck for the content but if he wants to mix and match tell him to get on with as many companies as he can such as hotshotdelivery dot com. The caveat: the pay isn't what many think it's going to be and with a gooseneck he's going to be somewhat limited to what he can haul back as many clients want a protected cargo (not a tarp). Many of the boards are going to subscription only, at least most of the better ones. I've managed a few jobs from rightnowloads dot com in the past but it seems like its gone the way of the big trucks lately. I'd look into getting on with some car hauling companies where he can do more than one vehicle. A cursory search of "hot shot expediting companies" can help him get started but make sure he knows this is a very different monster than delivering campers and I hope he's aware the wear and tear on a truck that size hauling that kind of weight is going to be serious. But IF he wants to be successful, here are a few things that will help him.

Get established with dealerships. Call, call and call some more. Marketing is everything. Hand out business cards, get himself a GOOD (not a cheap, self-made) website. Provide quality service which means returning calls asap, follow up on quotes and market himself as a WHITE GLOVE service. Always ask for more money. Check the rates and mark his up by 10 percent. Why? Because he's WHITE GLOVE, the best. Communicate to clients that this is a business decision and not a desire for more money. Solid, reputable dealers will understand IF the service is above and beyond. Although he's doing this at his "leisure" make sure he does not, under any circumstance, dress leisurely. When people see him at a rest stop or wherever, if he is dressed professional, they will remember that name in his door. This includes keeping the truck in pristine condition and appearance. Wash it. Frequently. Keep accurate records for how much he makes and how much the delivery is costing. Do what's good for the customer and what's right for him will fall in place. If he can afford it, get a salesperson to make cold calls and teach them how to cold call with a script. Use perhaps a student or retiree. Give them a standard fee for each job they book for which he completes. Be willing to let go of poor clients such as those who don't provide all the information or fudges on agreements after the fact. Although he's doing it at leisure he needs to treat it as a business. This means cold calling when he's not on the road. rely on the phone, not the Internet.

 

That was part Ididnt like and it bothered me more that the tools were exspensive that Ihad to buy

 

This is a gripe that I have had for years. When I take my truck into a shop and pay that high labor rate, it wouldn't bother me so much if I knew the guy doing the work was actually getting a bigger peice of that. I know the shop itself has to make money, but come on, that much at the expense of their employee?

 

Did you hear that on the CB ? Sterlings were produced by Daimler but production was stopped a couple of years ago . There was a Sterling class 3 that was a rebadged Dodge 3500 .

 

Actually the Sterling Bullet is in the 4500-5500 class and was speced a little different than the dodge but produced in the same factory.

 

You're correct . It's been a few years and I'm at the age where I get cases of CRS Can't Remember .......Something ???

 

I heard that! You and me both! I just happened to run across it recently and it grabbed my attention.

 

I hope nobody runs across your Henway . Kinda hard keeping it between the ditches

 

Yep, you gotta be careful. Just this morning me and the dog wander out in the yard about daybreak for our morning ritual. I'm standing there with a blank stare and suddenly things become clearer. I see the neighbor lady STARING AT MY HENWAY! So I shoved my Henway back in the shed and kinda followed the dog around the other side of the yard. I'm just hoping I wasn't violating some county ordinance of some kind!