r/HotShotTrucking

I’m 19 and located in VA which is most of my problem. I already have a truck (2500 Diesel) and trailer (18-22ft Lamar Car Hauler) so there’s a lot of the startup expenses gone since I drive race cars sometimes. I can make all of the other startup expenses work but the insurance is the doomsday number. I did the usual 1M policy and the 1M +1M aggregate and it came out to $63,000 a year with progressive. My age seems to be the bit that sends it through the roof since I guess since I’m 19 every insurance company thinks I’m going to cause a civilization ending event on the interstate.

My main question is can I make this work?

Other information for context:

The truck and trailer are both paid for and less than 5 years old.

When hauling my race car which weighs 2800lbs I’m getting 16mpg ish. Maybe more if I was on an interstate.

I don’t mind being gone long periods of time as long as I can have about 4ish days off a month to accommodate my racing schedule. Id like to do mainly car hauling but I’m open to other loads. I’m located 15 minutes away from a copart yard, idk what they pay but that would eliminate a lot of deadhead.

Open to any and all thoughts and advice. I’d rather not financially ruin myself 2 months out of college.

So this seems like an extremely unprofitable idea I’m assuming but I’m not sure just want someone to confirm someone’s stup*dity. We were arguing about how my buddy wants to do power only loads on the weekends and stay within Texas boundaries so no MC required. That said would you not still have to pay an insane premium for insurance? We both have the same truck 2013 ram 2500 6.7s. Made a bet if someone can prove me wrong I will join him on his weekend journeys!

What loadboards are actually worth the subscription? What do you use and how often do you actually book a load worth booking?

Hello everyone. I’m planning on getting into the hot shot businesses and I’m trying to decide if I should get the truck now and build my way up to getting my full set up. The truck I want to get is a F250 Super Duty Diesel. What advice do you have for me for someone that’s new to this.

I want to buy a truck preferably a 2500 or f250 to be in a comfortable towing spot. I want to start a pressure washing business which later on if i carry gallons of water that is heavy, as well as junk hauls or car hauls. but i am stuck between what kind of motor truck I should get. Should i either a 6.0 Ls or Duramax, or should I a 6.2 gas or 7.3 powerstroke diesel? im asking in regards to everything, comfortability, reliability, MPG ,and towing capacity. I am looking for used trucks on Facebook in the 200k mile range by the way. your opinions and facts will really help thank you!

I am looking into starting a hot shot business out of Knoxville, TN this fall/winter. I have a 2026 Ram 2500 with the diesel so the payload is on the lower end. I would have to start on load boards but I have cash to get me through the first year.
I am trying to figure out the optimum trailer for that situation. I have seen a lot of people say go with a light 40 foot deck (like a PJ LS GVWR 15,680 empty 6760) but I also see some say the 30+5 trailers are more suited for my truck. Which will open availability for the most loads? The 40 ft or the 35 with a bit more available payload?
Unfortunately, buying a different truck is not an option. I will have a CDL. Any advice would be appreciated.

Down on my luck lately just stopped at the Loves Truck Stop located in 1911 SOUTH CAROLINA -34, Dillon, SC 29536.

If someone has an extra shower credit I would greatly appreciate it thank you

I bought a piece of fiberglass from a monster jam monster truck and trying to figure out how the heck I can ship it from CA to NC, it’s a side panel so it’s not huge, just bigger than I can ship through a carrier practically

Colfax,CA to Wilmington, NC

Is there anyone making the commute? It’s for my son

Very interested in doing hotshotting as a weekend warrior while still in the Military for some extra income. Located in NC.

Already own a 94 chevy k3500 dually with a 454, i know not the most ideal from an MPG or capacity standpoint but it can handle up to 10k i beleive which will be plenty for how much i wanna do this. has a recently rebuilt motor and trans in her with new EFI, Heads, and a Cam for better torque coming

any tips for what state to register all the LLC crap under? live in NC but truck and everything else is registered to AZ (No inspections or emissions)

My biggest concern will be insurance since I wont be running 24/7

Which CDL would be best if any? from what i know under a certain GVRW doesnt require a CDL

Gooseneck Trailer size recommendations? considering the 10k towing capacity I'm thinking nothing crazy.

best brokers/apps?

Thank you all

I need your help one of cousin who lives in Fontana Area want to start OO and new MC but he is confused whether he should start with Hotshot 4500/5500 or a box truck. Please suggest what direction will help him more especially his first year as new MC OO struggling with good freight. Thanks

My wife and i run flatbed team at the moment but have been looking at hotshot as we already own a truck and all equipment but a trailer. We both carry cdls. In yalls expirience what are rates like atm and can we get enough miles to justify being a team

Truck is a 2011 dually silverado 3500

Full set of flatbed gear including tarps.

We would need to net around 4000 weekly for it to be worth the smaller truck.

Wondering if the loads are there to support a set of drivers and if so where should i look and what length of trailer would you guys recomend. We prefer a kingpin trailer but my truck is set up for gooseneck as well.

Truck already has an auxilary tank and does not take def.

Currently otr full 48 states, based in south carolina though

Title says it all. Give me your reasons for which one u prefer. Appreciate it boys

Has anyone here started with a used dually or just bought brand new the only way you should go doing this

really wanting to do this

I need a skid steer hauled 600 miles. How do I go about getting a quote/finding someone?