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

A sleeper will make life for the both of you much better. The other advantage would be you guys could expand the miles per day. Some loads requiring team would only be possible with a sleeper. You can not get as many hours without it. That is not to say you absolutely need one.

 

Ive been doing research on the types of trucks that work best for hot shot driving. For example best gas mileage, ability to tow, longevity of vehicle , the best trailers and brand of them. Any recommendations?

 

Yes read this whole section. Everyone one has different needs and what works for them. It is a very broad answer.

 

Scrolling through learning about hotshotting. Most technical colleges offer a CDL course which seems to be more on par with pricing. My total out of pocket expense without assistance was $2000. If you can't do that, asking someone to help you and let you use their Rig is a huge financial risk. You're better off going to Swift or one of the many others that will train you to get your CDL. Not saying that choice is better but it removes the risk you present to anyone willing to take you on to train you personally.

 

Well, considering a new tradesman with the aisin transmission can run you 50-55k brand new and a PJ trailer is on the cheaper side...no. But that is just my opinion.

 

If your state doesn’t make you go to truck driving school there’s no reason you should pay the huge expense of going to one. For this type of trucking you don’t need all the endorsements. You’d basically just need to take the general knowledge part of the written test class A test, and then pass the walk around inspection, backing skills, and drive test. Going to truck driving school spending $3,500 to as much as $7,000 to get into Hotshot trucking would be like throwing that money out the window.

If you go to a company like swift you’ll be committing to working for them for a year minimum to pay them back for the schooling. In that first year with them you won’t make a very good paycheck.

There’s help out there for new start up Independent Hotshot Owner Operators. People that’ll take you under their wing so to speak and teach you everything you need to know while making sure you stay safe and legal.

As far as having a sleeper, Your truck would basically be functioning as a solo truck until you could afford to install a legal sleeper berth. The lower cost sleeper options are the wood house sleeper kit or a cowtown sleeper. Some guys even buy older semi sleepers for cheap and modify them to fit their cab n chassis trucks. I have Owner op building a sleeper from scratch right now.

 

Heres a few pictures of loads we’ve been moving. Would’ve uploaded more but the here forum will only allow so many at one time.

 

Obviously brand new here, but thanks for the awesome thread and support of the greenhorns. Great to see.

I own a paid for 2007.5 Dodge 3500. It’s well modified for hauling, and I have access to flatbed and stock trailers through lease with family.

My issue is I can only run weekends because my day job pays the benefits. I’d like to put the truck to work, but I want to be by the book.

I can’t see paid load boards without a DOT # so I don’t know the viability of making hauls between Friday afternoon and Sunday night. If I could make those hauls every weekend, I know my operating costs pretty well and could make a nice extra income even with wearing out the truck and trailer and paying insurance. Any help is appreciated!

 

How much time do you work on the weekdays?
All that time working will have to be counted as on duty. Leaves not much time to work on the weekends.

 

8-5 5 days a week is my normal schedule. Wasn’t sure if that counted against hours or no.