How to start out? In my case that is.

The F-150 is way too light. The payload limitations will keep you from booking most any load, except stuff designed for Sprinter vans. Even most RV hauling and delivery outfits won't touch you with a F-150, even with your own authority. The 8,800 GVWR, with a curb weight of about 4,500 for the truck, is the limiting factor. You're not putting a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch in that truck, so you will be limited to a bumper pull. Ford says it has a trailering capacity of 7,500 pounds, so what can you haul when you add the tare weight of an empty 20' flatbed trailer, maybe 3,000 to 4,000 pounds if you are lucky?

Most hotshot loads are looking for a payload capacity of 8-10k, more for oil field type work and 10 to 20 foot of open deck space. Your F-150 can't even legally haul one average car without having a really light weight trailer. So, if you were to use the F-150, what type of freight within the hotshot market would you target?

The 351W, while it is a good motor, is not fuel efficient or durable enough to work for this application, nor does it have the longevity of say a 7.3 diesel from the same era of truck. I had several 351W and 460 gassers in my tow trucks and the 6.9 and 7.3 diesels kicked their butt in terms of overall cost of ownership, and that was hauling one car at a time, locally for the most part.

It is all about your cost per mile as hotshot freight usually pays even less than the already depressed general freight market. By the time you change up your rear differential and the fact you will be doing an oil change every week or so, plus the other routine maintenance, that truck will cost you more per mile to run than buying a newer dually will.

It will be hard to find a commercial auto policy for that truck as the insurance underwriters will see it as a risk for being overloaded often, and with a GVWR under 10k, many won't consider it a commercial vehicle. Now, there are some advantages to having a GVWR under 10k, as the regulatory requirements are less, but for that to work you would be better off buying a Sprinter van or similar truck and keeping the F-150 as your daily driver.

Lastly, with the economy right now freight is depressed everywhere, so it is a difficult time to jump in any segment as an owner operator.

 

Thank you for your very detailed response. Im sorry it took so long for me to reply back to it, life has a habit of getting in the way. But other than you calling my F250 a F150, I have no rebuttal. What you put down makes good and sound sense. Thank you.