Hot shot trucking is the practice of using a conventional pickup truck and trailer to haul goods. In the last two decades, American pickup trucks have become larger and more powerful. This is partially due to the demands of the market: American consumers like large vehicles. It is also to do with the rise of pickup trucks as towing vehicles. A modern large pickup truck will quite easily tow 10,000 pounds – the largest load it is possible to haul without a Commercial Driving License. Many people that want to get into the trucking industry full-time start out completing hot shot jobs. Here are some of the reasons why hot shot trucking is a great idea for the ambitious industry novice. Continue reading to learn more.
Plenty of Work
There is plenty of hot shot trucking work to go around. Truckers can find shipping work relatively easily and at short notice using load boards like the one hosted by Shiply here: https://www.shiply.com/us/hot-shot-trucking. They can also cultivate working relationships with clients to generate repeat custom. Hot shot trucking setups are suited to small loads. Working as a hot shot trucker, you’ll likely find work delivering animals, construction equipment, vehicles, and agricultural equipment. You’ll often be employed by clients that live off the beaten path and who find it too expensive to be served by conventional logistics companies operating large vehicles, so there is plenty of work to go around.
Lax Licensing
So long as your load does not exceed 10,000 pounds in weight, you do not need a Commercial Driving License to start hot shot trucking. The acquisition of a Commercial Driving License is one of the main roadblocks that prevent people from getting set up in the shipping industry. Each state has a different process for applying to take the test for a CDL. By starting out using a hot shot trucking rig, you can bypass this roadblock and start developing relationships with clients right away.
Low Startup Costs and Overheads
Although there are plenty of costs associated with starting a hot shot trucking business, they pale in comparison to the amount of money it takes to set up a full-sized big rig owner-operator company. If you already own a pickup truck, your startup costs will be limited to the purchase of a trailer, safety equipment, and signage. You may also choose to spend a little money on premium load board membership and marketing efforts.
Your overhead costs are also relatively small as a hot shot trucker. Although pickups are not exactly fuel efficient when hauling trailers, they are still far less fuel-hungry than full-sized big rigs.
Flexible Working
Hot shot truckers are essentially their own bosses. While they do have to pay attention to the needs and desires of their clients, they do not have a large organisation breathing down their necks. They set their own strategic goals and work out how to achieve them without feeling beholden to others.
