HOT SHOT TRUCKING – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MAKING IT WORK

While it's a tiny portion of the transportation industry hot shot trucking has been steadily growing in market share over the last few years.

It was born out of the necessity for shippers to move cargo more efficiently, at a lower cost and without the hassle of plan than was the case for the major players in the industry.

In comparison to the truckload and LTL sector, this one is driven by single-truck drivers and fleet owners with small fleets who've had enough of the low wages and poor life that is often associated with driving corporate trucks.

For many seasoned and potential hotshot truckers it's the prospect of running their own business and retaining more of the results of their work that attracts them.

For some, it's time to relax or the belief that less regulation and oversight can provide a more enjoyable experience.

It's not a secret that hot shot trucks offer some unique opportunities however, as you might have imagined, it's not just rainbows and fluffy bunnies. sherbet.

For the not-so-experienced, it's an enterprise that has its own risks.

HOT SHOT TRUCKING VS. EXPEDITED

Before we begin, let's look at the difference between expedited and hot shot trucking.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, they should not be.

Simply put hot shot truckers operate smaller rigs and transport lighter freight that is less than truckload and provide more flexible and timely services than the counterparts who operate in Class 8 trucks.

They've been seen along the highways.

Large double Dodges, Chevys and Fords with chrome stacks that are aftermarket, and single-axle Internationals and infant Freightliners with trailers loaded with everything from custom-designed signs and insulation to brand new dumpsters and vintage automobiles.

Hot shot combination units usually belong to the Class 3 range, giving them gross weights ranging from 10,000 to 26,000 pounds.

They're typically attached to trailers that have drop-decks, goosenecks, and lighter auto-haulers that are connected to 5 ⁵-wheel.

Hotshot and speedy trucking industry share many similarities, however, as the name suggests, the expedited trucking is specifically focused on ultra-sensitive freight.

We're talking about extremely important, irreplaceable and perishable goods, as well as essential to keep production facilities operating.

There are a few instances, but expedited operators typically don't operate combination vehicles.

Their preferred trucks are Sprinter-style cargo straight-trucks as well as vans, the latter are identified by their sleepers, which are typically larger than their cargo compartments.

They're typically controlled by team drivers even though their miles-per-mile rate is a major draw for truckers but there's a lot of waiting and sitting that comes with operating an efficient truck.

FINDING A GOOD HOT SHOT TRUCKING COMPANY TO WORK WITH

If you've ever worked in the business then you've probably noticed that not all trucking companies are alike.

This applies to truckload, LTL, hot shot carriers, and everything else in between.

There's nothing more frustrating for a driver who is new than signing up unintentionally with a shaky or unreliable company.

This is particularly the case following months of preparation and a large initial expenditure of money.

If you're unfortunate enough to be in this situation it's possible that you'd never had to leave the security of your driving job at work.

The good news is that , with just a bit of analysis and plan, this situation is averted completely.