How many miles does a hotshot truck last?

The average hotshotter or trucker does 10,000 miles on the low end. Obviously, if you do more miles, it's going to cost you less. But you can only do so many miles legally. You can't plan on getting 60 miles an hour as an average mile per hour.

How many miles can a hotshot driver drive?

Due to government regulations, at the absolute peak, a driver can drive 11 hours in a 24-hour period. If they happened to travel 65 miles per hour (mph) the whole time, that's 715 miles maximum.

How long do hotshot drivers work?

Most hotshots can work 34-weeks a year and make their profit.

Can I use a old truck for hotshot?

If your truck is older than seven years — I mean give or take a few years — it's probably too old to take the daily abuses of hotshot trucking. It is a fact that an older truck is less capable than a brand-new truck.

Is Hot Shot Trucking profitable?

The hotshot trucking industry is one of the most lucrative and profitable in the United States. U.S. $732.3 billion in gross freight revenue (primary shipment only) from trucking. This represents 80.4% of 2020's freight bill.

How long does a trailer last - Hotshot Trucking

Is being a hotshot driver worth it?

Hotshot truckers have the potential to make higher pay rates than they would at a traditional trucking job. A hotshot trucker who properly manages their work schedule and lives in a lucrative location could earn the most money in these types of positions.

How much money do you need to start a hot shot business?

All told, hot shot trucking start up costs can easily reach the $15,000-30,000 range, but this will vary based on personal circumstances. If you already own a truck, for example, then you just need a trailer and the various legal fees.

Is hotshot trucking 2021 worth it?

So, technically, a hotshot is still worth it. As long as you come in with the right frame of mind and your expectations are reasonable and you have a little bit more money in your nest egg, then hot shot might be worth it. You gain a ton of experience that you can use in the trucking industry as a whole.

Is a dually better for hotshot?

If you know exactly what you're going to haul and what truck will do it best, single rear wheels may be just fine. The singles may even be a requirement for tight places. Just remember, you could be turning loads down because of your choice. For most hotshot trucking operations, the dually is the truck of choice.

What's the best truck to hotshot with?

How many hours a day can you hotshot?

(a) The 11 hours driving, minimum 10 hours off-duty, 14 consecutive hour duty period, 60/70 hours in 7/8 days, 34-hour restart all apply. (b) On any 2 days of every 7 consecutive days, the driver may extend the 14-hour duty period to 16 hours.

Can you hotshot with 2500?

REASON #3: No limitations on hotshot loads

If you have a CDL, you can haul over that 26,000 GVWR limit. But let us take this a step further. If you use a 2500 truck with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs and a tandem axle single wheel with 14,000 lbs GVWR, then the combination is rated and licensed for 24,000 lbs.

How do hotshot trucks find loads?

Why do hotshots fail?

They fail (or are not as successful) because they are not willing to stay out on the road for several weeks at a time. They fail when they consistently pick cheap freight. Finally, they fail because they don't know what's coming in and what's going out. Don't fall into these pitfalls and you'll be successful.

Is it possible to drive 1000 miles in a day?

Although it's possible, you cannot drive 1000 miles in a day safely with a single driver. This would involve approximately 16 hours of driving before accounting for traffic and rest stops. Assuming a total travel time of 20 hours, you would need to depart in the early hours and share the driving.

How many miles can you drive in 12 hours?

If you plan to drive 12 hours, expect to cover about 600 miles. Planning to do all the driving on one day of your trip does allow you to spend more time at your destination, but you may end up exhausted when you arrive.

What size truck do I need to hotshot?

Hot shot loads typically require the use of a one-ton pickup truck, such as the Ford Super-Duty F-350 or Ram 3500. Hot shot loads can put a tremendous amount of stress on smaller pickups, which causes more wear and tear overtime.

How much do hotshot truckers make?

A well run hotshot trucker in a reasonable location for regular loads can bring in from $60,000 to $120,000 gross income per year, possibly more. Most hotshot's expenses—fuel, maintenance, insurance, licenses and fees, tolls, etc. —are approximately half of gross income.

How do I start Hot Shot hauling?

How much weight can a hotshot haul?

1. Freight Capacity Restrictions. Hot shot trailers can only legally haul 16,500 pounds of freight on their deck and measure 40 feet at their lengthiest.

Where can I find hotshot loads?

DAT provides the biggest hot shot load boards in trucking. With nearly 1.37 million loads posted every business day, DAT's load board is the best place to find the hot shot loads that match your interests.

Where can I find loads for pickup trucks?

1. Get Jobs From Local Construction Companies. One of the most popular ways to get loads for your pickup truck is by servicing the construction industry. Pickup trucks are perfect for the task because they are durable, can carry heavy loads, and have ample space in their bed to haul stuff to and from construction sites ...

What equipment is needed for hot shot trucking?

Tie-Down Equipment: while it feels self-explanatory, having the proper tie-down equipment ready to go, like your chains, ratchet straps, winch straps, or bungees is necessary for all haulers. It is recommended for hotshot truckers to have at least twenty ratchet straps available and four 20'-long chains.