The trucking industry is one of the most profitable and lucrative industries in the United States. Hot shot trucking is a small but lucrative piece of the trucking industry's big pie. Data Analysis Technologies (DAT) provides current data on the loading speed of trucks, allowing you to negotiate the best prices for hot cargo loads. Another advantage of fast-loading trucks is that there is a lower barrier to entry and lower operating costs.
The manufacturer's weight ratings for the power unit and trailer, and the overall gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the combination will determine which (if any) you'll need for road transportation. It is important to increase your driving experience in a hot truck while your Commercial Driver's License (CDL) matures, so if you decide to jump to a semitrailer, it will be much easier for you to qualify for insurance. Before signing on the dotted line with an insurer, make sure they have experience in the hot shot business. There are always opportunities for conscientious entrepreneurs, especially in this segment of the transportation industry.
Combined hot draft units are usually within the range of classes 3-5, giving them a gross weight of between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds. Hot shot drivers often operate heavy-duty trucks with trailers instead of heavy-duty class 8 semis. While there are many advantages to hot shot trucking, it is not without its challenges. Many drivers have no experience or formal training for commercial drivers.
Simply put, hot shot truckers operate smaller platforms, carry lighter cargo than the load of a truck, and offer more flexible and urgent services than their class-8 truck counterparts. To get started in hot shot trucking, you need a pickup truck and some type of flatbed trailer to transport loads. Driving a company truck may not offer most drivers the freedom, income and lifestyle they seek, but compared to running a hot shot single-truck business, it's a low-risk job. When loaders and intermediaries have relatively small loads that need to be delivered quickly, they resort to the services of expert hot shot truckers. Most of the ads on the DAT loading panels are posted by truck brokers who work on behalf of shippers, and the system also provides you with information such as brokers' credit scores and average payment time, which can be useful in making sure you're working with suitable partners.
