New Hotshoter - PNW

@flatbedcarrier

 

He is in your part of the country and knows the business.

 

I'm in the same boat as you. In the budding stages of hitting the road. I have been doing research for a couple months now too.
I stumbled upon this forum about a week ago. The best thread I've found so far is:
So you want to hot-shot? (Will be updated/edited frequently)
It took a couple hours but it was well worth it. I read through the entirety of the thread....4ish years worth of conversation between the seasoned veterans and other new arrivals like us.
It is invaluable to say the least. There are sections where it is just jibber jabber between people. Still not bad to read through!

 

Big Tex seems like a great company but they don't offer a lot. @flatbedcarrier I think was the one that told me about Load Trail trailers. They offer just about anything you could want. And they seem lower in price too. But, me not knowing what all I need, I went with a local manufacturer, Anderson Trailers. I got a 33+5 with mega ramps that i am picking up Saturday. The prices seem about the same with BigTex.

Also, dunno if you know this, there is a 65 foot law for just about every state that I have seen. I just got a 2018 Ram 3500 long box and I was going to go with a 40 foot trailer but I was over at 65 feet, 10 inches. Now granted, the chances of them pulling out a tape measure is probably slim but I didn't want to take that chance. So, I found Anderson made a 38 footer so I went with it =-)

 

Chances are not slim, that is their job. I have seen Flatbedcarrier advice to guys to have the neck cut to save the 40ft.

 

Just going by what others tell me as I haven't actually hit the road with my set up yet. I tried to get Anderson Trailers to cut a foot or so off of the neck but they refused and I wasn't going to buy a 35 foot one and was about to continue my search but then the dealer told me they made a 38 foot one and I jumped on it. I liked the dealer because after I voiced my concerns of a 40 foot being too long, he let me back under it and we pulled out the tape measure and sure enough, too long.

 

Way to go, double check everything. Now for the first few years while your MC number is new it will seem like every scale will check you out. That just comes with the territory. Once I was pulled in the scale in Tennessee, guy said when was the last time you was inspected, my reply was two days ago at this scale. He said did I inspect you?I knew it was him and still had the paperwork, I said is this your signature? He then says get out of here. Sometimes just how it is.

 

Yeah, I have been warned that I am gonna be a target. I am glad that I had the means to buy everything new. Truck and Trailer. I just worry about the weight. I'm assuming the weight will be the total GVWR or the truck and trailer and focusing on the axles and what they are able to carry? I got into driving in 2015, went straight to Heartland Express and learned about weight. Then I drove for a local construction company that didn't have to worry about weight.