r/HotshotStartup

I own a cyber truck and about to by a trailer and kits to tow it. Would using a cyber truck be a smart move since I have free charging station and have discounts.

If you’re putting together a hotshot setup, dont spend every dollar you have on the truck, trailer, insurance and authority. Leave room in that budget for equipment too because the truck might pull the load, but your gear is what lets you actually haul it.

You can have a good paying load sitting right in front of you and still have to turn it down because you dont have the right straps, chains, tarps or PPE. Even worse, you take it anyway and end up trying to piece everything together at a truck stop after you’re already dispatched.

First thing is your inspection gear. Keep a properly rated fire extinguisher mounted where you can actually reach it, not rolling around loose in a toolbox. You also need three reflective triangles ready to use. Thats basic stuff under 49 CFR 393.95 and theres no reason to get written up over it.

Securement is one place I wouldnt try to save a few dollars. Get good 4 inch winch straps, ratchet straps, a real winch bar and extras. Dont carry the exact number you think you’ll need. Straps get cut, frayed and damaged. One bad strap can leave you sitting at the shipper trying to figure something out.

Check your straps before every load too. Look at the working load limit, stitching, hooks and the whole length of the webbing. If its cut up or the tag cant be read, dont gamble with it.

You’ll also want Grade 70 transport chains and ratchet binders for machinery, steel and heavier equipment. Make sure the chain and binder sizes match and learn how working load limits actually work. Your securement is only as strong as the lowest rated piece being used. Throwing more random chains on something doesnt automatically make it safe.

Keep plenty of corner protectors, solid 4x4 lumber for dunnage and rubber mats. Steel edges will eat through a strap quick. Dunnage also gives you clearance for loading and unloading and helps keep the freight supported. Dont grab some cracked up piece of wood off the ground and trust it under a heavy load.

If you plan on taking tarp loads, buy tarps that make sense for the freight you want to run. That might include lumber tarps, steel tarps, a smoke tarp, rubber tarp straps and a repair kit. Before accepting a tarp load, ask what the commodity is, how big it is and how much drop they expect. One random tarp isnt going to cover everything.

Keep your PPE where you can get to it too. Hi vis vest, hard hat, gloves, safety glasses and steel toe boots at minimum. Some plants, mills and construction sites wont even let you through the gate without the right gear. Dont bury your only vest and hard hat underneath a pile of chains in the trailer box.

For breakdowns, I’d carry at least two trailer spares, wheel chocks, a heavy duty jack rated for the weight, the right sockets, a breaker bar or impact, an air compressor and a good tire gauge. A spare hub and bearing kit plus some basic electrical tools can save you from sitting on the shoulder for half the day. Check the air in your spare tires during your pretrip too. A flat spare aint helping anybody.

Then theres all the little stuff that doesnt seem important until you need it. Measuring tape, height pole, headlamp, flags and signs when required, chargers, extra batteries, zip ties, duct tape and a binder for your registration, insurance, permits and BOLs.

Im not saying you need to go buy every piece of flatbed equipment made before you move your first load. What you need should depend on the freight you plan on hauling. Just dont book something and hope you can figure the securement out when you get there.

I put this together because most startup conversations stop at the truck, trailer, authority and insurance. Nobody tells you how much other stuff it takes to show up prepared and actually move freight safely.

Drivers thats been doing this longer, add anything I missed so the next person can learn from all of us.

If you’re building your setup and want the full Hotshot Startup Checklist, comment VAULT and I’ll send it over.

Hello everyone,

I’m a semi-truck driver and have been driving for about five years. I’ve decided to take a break from driving for someone else and start working toward buying my own semi-truck.

For now, I’m looking to buy a pickup truck and use it for hotshot to save money toward purchasing my semi in the future.

I’d like to hear your recommendations between:

1. RAM 3500
2. Ford F-350

Which one would you recommend for reliability, maintenance costs, towing, and long-term use?

I appreciate any advice, especially from owners who have experience with either truck.

Thank you!

I am an established CDL hotshot that runs local Florida. I have 2-3 clients that keep my wheels turning 4 days a week with a very solid RPM. I am home every night. I have never worked with any service nor have I ever leased onto any company. Ideally I’d like someone to give available dates too at the beginning of each week. 1-2 days wide open availability for general freight, and possible back hauls from locations I run for my clients currently. I am usually deadheading back from my current drop offs, so there is a lot of opportunity there as well. With what I haul my RPM total miles is still well above average. I understand I will not get that RPM working with a service and am totally cool with that. Adding another established client has been tough due too the demand of my regulars. I assume what I am looking for will be easier to manage searching load boards. I just have no desire to do that, so am willing to pay a percentage for that to be done as well as carrier packets etc..
I’m not hurting nor is this a necessity, I just am looking to put more money away each week if this was a possibility. My established clients will always come first, again this is just extra income.
I run a 40’ PJ with a 2022 Ram 3500 out of Central Florida.
Typical lanes are Tampa I4 corridor, 95 corridor from Jax to Miami, Naples, Tallahassee, and I10 corridor.
Feel free to point me in the right direction if you have any input! Thanks