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

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by HOTSHOTTER432, Apr 29, 2015.

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Elliott42 Bobtail Member

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I am looking at getting into this business i have my CDL class A with tankers and Hazmat i have been working for a local coop hauling fertilizer and rigs with big trucks but would like to another F350 (ex wife took my last one) and start hotshotting. I am curious if anyone knows of any companies in the North Central Kansas/South Central Nebraska area that would hire me on basicly to find me loads and keep me busy i am willing to haul what ever needs hauled i dont have a trailer yet but will as soon as i find work to keep me busy and making money. Email me at feight142@gmail.com thanks

Elliott42, Aug 18, 2016

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Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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First of all I wouldn't get an F-350 for this kind of work. I'd look at a Ram 4500/5500 chassis cab with Cummins for power. If you insist on Ford move up to a 450/550 platform. You already have the Class A license so I would go straight to the "bigger" small stuff. A lot of these guys are trying to do this with regular Class C licenses so they're trying to keep everything to 26,000 or less but you don't have to worry about that.

Brandonpdx, Nov 11, 2016

#192

flatbedcarrier Thanks this.
Pivotal Bobtail Member

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Question about max hauling weight. (not concerned about going over 26K..I will have apportioned tags for 40-44K)

2016 Dodge Ram has a GVWR 14000#
Trailer that I am looking at has GVWR 24900#
The combined GVWR totals. 38900#

Truck weighs around 7K and the trailer come in a 9500#
So when I am empty I should scale around 17K to be on the safe side.

Will I be able to carry the 21K legally?

Thanks!

Pivotal, Nov 22, 2016

#193
Lite bug Road Train Member

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Pivotal, most of the guys running that type equipment stop at 16,000lbs. To much strain on equipment everyday pulling more weight.

Lite bug, Nov 26, 2016

#194

Pivotal Thanks this.
Gbr Bobtail Member

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What's the best site or option to find loads, I'm in arizona, thanks for your help.

Gbr, Nov 28, 2016

#195
andy789 Bobtail Member

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flatbedcarrier said: ↑

Here's a few things that'll help you while shopping for Insurance,

Just about every Broker, and Shipper out there today wants to see that you have $100,000.00 Cargo, and $1,000,000,00 liability coverage before they'll let you move their freight. The FMCSA will let you run with less but the bottom line is very few Brokers and Shippers will let you haul their freight having less.

When it comes to Commercial insurance you really need to shop around. I hear guys saying all the time they have clean driving records, no prior commercial driving experience and they're being quoted as much as $12,000.00 a year. At the same time I have guys here with good driving records, no prior commercial driving experience getting quotes for $5500.00 to $7,000.00 a year.

Paying for your insurance, You can either pay all up front, NOT ADVISABLE. Or you can put 2 to 3 payments down and pay the balance in monthly installments. Why do I advise against paying it all up front? Because what I've seen over the years is a lot of insurance agents become less helpful after they have all your money. Beside that, if they turn out to be a rotten agent you'll be in for a long hard fight trying to get your money back from them.

Another thing that will drive your insurance quote through the roof is what you tell a Insurance agent. If you tell them you want to haul hazmat loads, Oilfield loads, and do expedited work you're telling them you're a high risk. If you just plan to do like a lot of us and haul a mixture of LTL freight and vehicles, you should not mention Hazmat, Oilfield, or Expedited work. And if you don't plan on hauling the Hazmat, Oilfield, or expedited and the Insurance Agent uses these words, you need to immediately correct the Agent and tell them you're not doing that type of work, Tell the Agent, you're an over the road LTL carrier that may have a vehicle or two on once in awhile.

Also when choosing a Insurance Agent, make sure they're putting you with an Onshore Insurance Provider, not a out of the country Insurance Provider. Why? Because if you ever have a claim you can play hell trying to get a Offshore Insurance Company to pay. I learned this the hard way years ago and I had to eat a loan on W900 Kenworth. Oh, you can sue the Insurance company but you'll have to go to their country and play by their rules to do it.

Also when you're choosing a Agent you need to ask them how quickly they'll send out insurance certs to Brokers and Shippers. It's critical that they send them out right away for you. Most Brokers, and Shippers will not wait for a Insurance Cert very long, they just give the load to someone else with a faster insurance company. Time is money. If the Agent tells you they send them out at the end of the day, week, or they say you can do them yourself on line. Myself, I'd find another Agent willing to handle it right away.

Another important piece of advice, Some insurance companies will try to put you on a limited operating radius (commonly a 500 miles radius). Do not let this happen, even if you plan to work local. Why? Because in the trucking business you need to be able to step further out when your local work dries up. There's times when it will dry up.

When it comes to hauling LTL Freight $100,000.00 may not always be enough to cover whats on your trailer. My policy is written to cover $100,000.00 per Bill of laden, for up to 5 Bill of ladens on any load that I put together and transport . It's not common that I have a load on valued over $100,000.00 but there are times where it happens. And in the rare even someone wants you to move a load valued at more, lets say $500,000.00. You need a Insurance agent that can increase your limit for that one single run. My agent has done this for me many times over the years when high value loads were offered to me.

If you're talking to a commercial insurance agent that has to get back to you, or put you on hold to get answers to most of your questions. Or every time you call you're talking to a different person. Find another Commercial Insurance agent. Preferable one you can be on a first name basis with..

If I can think of anything else regarding insurance I'll up date this.
Click to expand...

If you dont mind me asking what insurance company do you use and are there any others you recommend?

andy789, Nov 29, 2016

#196
Lite bug Road Train Member

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Andy 789 you will have to locate a agent in the state you are based out of. The first few years it will be expensive. Be sure to get a few different quotes and do not go with the lowest one you always want to be with a A rated company. After about 5 years the best insurance companies will insure you for less money. Hope this helps.

Lite bug, Nov 29, 2016

#197

flatbedcarrier and Gbr Thank this.
ErieMcDreary Medium Load Member

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I've been reading for a couple days, and will do a LOT more. 35+ years class8 trucking, for other people.
Tell me if my idea is totally nuts, but I think one would be better off with a midsize truck, a Freightliner business class, or Pete 335, or similar. They don't cost that much more new over the cost of a 5500 Ram. and used they are less. Of course one must be careful buying used, but I have seen them with about 150k in the $30k range. You would get around 10k more gvw, and could license at 60k with a tandem axle stepdeck, which would open up a lot more load options. The engine, tires, drivetrain, frame, and brakes are stouter and would last much longer. fuel mileage is about the same. I already have the CDL/air brakes, so no issue there. I know some costs would be more, but should offset with longer life.
What do ya think?

ErieMcDreary, Dec 4, 2016

#198

KB3MMX and Gbr Thank this.
Gbr Bobtail Member

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I was thinking even a single axle cascades would work

Gbr, Dec 4, 2016

#199

KB3MMX Thanks this.
ErieMcDreary Medium Load Member

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Yes, but usually used ones will be high mileage, or much higher cost, plus they are heavier to start with, which cuts down your load capacity.
Just look at truckpaper.com and see what they cost compared to a midsize truck.

ErieMcDreary, Dec 4, 2016

#200

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