Question:
My husband and I are seriously considering going into our own Hot Shot Trucking Company. My husband has had his CDL lisence for approx. 2 years.
We want to start out small; maybe local driving in the Houston and sournding areas and even to cities in TX and LA in a 200 - 300 mile radius. We want to purchase a truck... what type should we get and where should we look?
How do we even start to get clients? I hope these are not really stupid questions, but we are really green at this with the exception of my Husband having his CDL lisence. Any information on how to get started and be sucsessful is really appreciated.
Thank you,
Hawk Express

Answer:
Check Jones Motor Express, I think they're out of B'ham, Al.
Have either of you ever run your own business before? BOL

Answer:
I would do a search for Monty and send him a Private message. He has been a HotShot O/O for a few years. probably would know more than most.
As far as a trucks go, O/O's I've talked with wouldn't own anything other than a 1 ton dually. Ford/Chevy/Dodge seemed like personal preference only. But Diesel wasn't an option. It is a must have.
Strange thing, when I've asked about fuel mileage they didn't really get much better than a class 8 tractor and they had to do oil changes much more often.
The ones that impressed me as the way to go were those that have a 4 car trailer. Preferably the type that extends over the truck cab. Some can be flattened in the middle for regular loads. I'm not sure if it's common but I did see one that did. The car haulers seemed to make more money per mile. The most unimpressive was the RV trailer pullers. They made less per ile than most according to what they have told me. It is considerably less at that.
If you do go for it remember you will need to license it comercially and have a DOT number. You will also be required to follow DOT regs and HOS laws.

Answer:
Even at it's best, a 1 ton truck is just barely a commercial vehicle. They are primarily built on the same frames as lighter pickups, and the components aren't built for the type of mileage and wear that commercial driving will put on them. Here in my area, most of the people pulling hotshot type loads have switched up to class 6 or better trucks for pulling their loads. Many have even gone to single axle class 8 rigs, which would be my choice for the work. Remember, if you have to comply with the hours of service rules you will have to deal with sleeper time, and unless you spend big money on modifications, a 1 ton isn't going to be suitable for sleeping in. With a larger truck, you can easily get a sleeper as part of the package. The smaller trucks hhave to be replaced frequently, with a lot of the people hauling that way changing up annually or slightly longer. They just don't have the lifespan of a bigger unit.
The longevity of the components in a class 6-8 truck will make your plans work much better. And the 1 ton is possibly going to be stressed to it's limits hauling your loads, while the larger truck is loafing along with the load. And costwise, a good used single axle can be bought for abvout the same or less as a 1 ton, and even a used one will probably outlast the 1 ton by several years. You can buy a class 8 with a smaller motor, 300 hp or so and it will go down the road just fine. And if you want to run further than your 300 mile radius, you have the sleeper you need.
I also agree with the theory that the travel trailer movers don't make too much on their deal. I live north of Elkhart In, which is a hot bed of travel trailer building, and there are tons of hotshotters doing that work. And they seem to go in and out of the business on a regular basis, and the ones I have talked to don't seem to be making out that well. Lots of them are one breakdown away from being out of business.
Rough estimates on reasonable economic lifespans of various trucks in commercial use runs about like this. 1 ton- 200k, class 6 4-500k, class 8 800-1,000k. My 02.

Answer:
As for finding customers, I would highly recommend you start out working for someone else and let them handle that part of the business. Leasing on to someone puts you under their umbrella, and allows you to learn the business at your own pace. Starting your own business with the truck is enough of an initial effort. You don't really have the ability starting out to also find the frieght, negotiate rates, and handle all the things that go with that end of the business. That develops with time, and after a while you will have a much better handle on expenses, freight lanes, how much to charge, backhauls, and all the things that spell the difference between just running up and down the road and making a good return on your investment.

Answer:
Thak you for all the great advise. It is probally better to buy the truck and work for someone else prior to getting our own accounts in the begining.
Hawk Express

Answer:
Monty's hot shot rig:


Answer:
I didn't know Monty got a real truck. Thought he was still running around in his funny looking Freightliner High Cube van.
If it was me I would do what I've thought about a few times. Buy a newer 1 ton flat bed truck and a trailer similar to Monty's but shorter and set it up with poles so I could haul cars and boats. Both of them pay fairly well, the boats are also light weight.