How limiting is my setup?

• I’m 18 years old No CDL
• 2005 Chevy 3500 DRW LLY diesel 4x
• 2023 full tilt deck car trailer, 14k#, 84” wide and 18’ deck with 3’ dovetail

Here’s a little background on me. 18 years old, I currently have a 05 Chevy dually and a 21’ total deck. I use this setup for retrieving my old trucks and tractors. I usally get these rigs going, and sell, or part them out on Facebook and EBay. I do pretty good for being 18, and in my last year of High School. But when I’m out of school I want to step into something that makes me more $$$. Looking into transport work. I’d like to work for myself rather than for someone else. More freedom and such.

I’ve put 40k+ miles down since I got my license when I turned 17 last summer. I’m sure at least half of that pulling loads all over Washington and Oregon. Lots of miles in reverse So for my age I have a lot of experience driving. I’ve 600 and 700 mile days a couple times.

My grandparents and parents think I should get into the towing business eventually, and are offering to help me get there. I have a good skillset and good personality for it. Good with people and such. Attractive personality so I’ve been told. And I LOVE driving.

I thought a good way to get a proof of concept would be to use my current equipment in hotshot. And if it does good just keep on doing it.

I’ve been reading the “So you want to get into hot-shot?” Pinned thread. About 10 pages in and most of my current questions are answered. I’m gonna finish the thread over the next couple days. Bedtime reading My concerns are about my age and equipment.

Being 18, I have nothing on my driving record. Clean slate, but I’m sure insurance will be through the roof. Will my age be a limiting factor to what jobs I can take???

Addressing the no CDL thing. I REALLY want my CDL. I even have a 70s GMC semi truck I’d love to be able to drive. But in my state, Washington, you can’t drive interstate with CDL loads till 21 years old. So I think I could drive non CDL and be OK till I’m 21. And not being able to drive interstate would obviously be very limiting.

My concerns with my truck,
First of all it’s 20 years old with 250k on the clock. I’ve done all the mechanical work on it myself. Completely new front end from hub to hub. All new steering and suspension. Rides like a dream. Motor is in good shape. Was re-sealed right before I bought it last summer, no blow by. I checked car fax and it’s had oil changes every 5-7k miles at the dealer before I bought it. I change oil every 4-5k miles. And trans was regularly serviced, I do the trans every 25k. Another big ticket for me was the truck was never tuned. That’s a big green flag, so not super concerned about head gasket failure. No signs of HG failure yet. New Tcase and drivelines right before I bought as well. Even though it’s been well maintained, it’s still 20 years old, with 250k on it. So probably will end up having a problem. Is me having such an old truck a deterrent for companies hiring out loads??? Would that limit my jobs???

and finally my trailer… it’s a real nice car hauler. Great tilt deck, right as the deck comes down, the load is perfectly balanced. Love the trailer for what I do. It’s a bumper pull. But it’s short, and narrow. 7’ wide and 21’ long. Rated for 14k and only weighs 3.5k. Would I be able to use this trailer and make $$ doing hotshot, or should I save up for a longer trailer? I really want to keep the weight down though, for more hauling capacity. And say I can use this trailer, what type of loads would be ideal for my setup?

I like the idea of getting into the business with my current set up, as it wouldn’t put me out a ton as far as buying equipment. Any advice and such is greatly appreciated. TIA

 

thoughts,

1 - you need a cdl if that trailer is 14k and be careful what you load on it, you only have 9k capacity before being overweight.

2 - the trailer is limiting you, a three car trailer may be better.

3 - extend your oil changes, 4/5k is too soon, that engine is designed for 10 to 15k oil changes. Also blowby is ONLY measured by being on a dyno and run under a full load.

4 - better get insurance quotes now. It isn’t what you are paying now,

5 - speaking of your truck, if it is a 4x4, get a two wheel drive truck.

 

Thanks for the info. I’ll look at the card in my truck and see what its rating is. Overall is 26k. But need to subtract the weight of the truck and all that.

Yes that’s the 2005 that has all the over heating problems. LLY 04.5-05. A lot of it is because the cooling stack, dirt gets trapped in the radiator cooling fins and really restricts flow. I removed my radiator and cleaned it. Runs cool now. Another big problem is the factory turbo inlet and intake. I put a bigger turbo inlet to let more air in, a S&B cold air intake, and deleted the EGR and catalytic converter. So it runs and stays cool real good now.

thanks for the replies, I figured I new my answer about the license and trailer. Both are too small

 

Grumppy correct me if I am wrong, but does that trailer look like it is too light duty to be used for commercal use?

 

Yes that’s what I was thinking too. I couldn’t imagine I’d have a big market with such a small trailer. 21’ isn’t big enough. Well guys thanks for your info! I’d say my questions are answered. My truck is useable, but my trailer is too small for hotshot. I’ll probably just buy or build a 35-40 footer and look into possibly into getting CDL. I just wouldn’t be able to drive interstate. Washington sucks. Wouldn’t be able to take this up until I’m 21. I’m gonna keep doing research on my options, and what cargo I’d want to specialize in

 

Interesting, well good info. I definitely want to know the inns and outs of everything before getting started. Thanks!