Hot shot trucking is a form of delivery typically involving loads where delivery time is important. Hot shot freight is usually hauled for an individual customer in need of an urgent delivery, such as construction equipment, machinery and related materials but hot shot drivers will generally accept any load they are capable of transporting. Hot shot drivers often use medium-size vehicles with a variety of trailer add-ons to allow them to execute a number of jobs in the same journey. In most cases, hot shot trucking is for crucial delivery to prevent a disruption in services for a company or a business operation. Hot shot loads could be 100 miles away, and some loads are for hauling to the opposite side of the country.
If you’re contemplating quitting your current job to be your own boss, you can start with something that requires low start-up capital, like driving a hot shot truck or even owning a couple of hot shot trucks with drivers working for you. This means working at a time that suits you allowing flexibility and freedom you would surely enjoy! However, know that owning a couple of trucks can require taking good care of them, getting them timely maintained, or repairing them with the help of Ferguson Truck Center and its likes. Remember, if your trucks are not in a good shape, then you may not be able to conduct your business properly.
Below are 4 main benefits associated with hot shot trucking.
1. Lower initial startup costs — The initial start-up capital such as small business supplies and new equipment are lower than for Class 8 long-haul company drivers.
2. Shorter waiting time due to expedited loads — There is a shorter waiting time to get a haul on the road because it is the carrier that usually expedites many of the loads.
3. The income is equal to or better than Class 8 — If you are hardworking and persevere, you can find steady work that can result in higher potential income than most Class 8 pay.
4. More home time, as many loads are local or regional — Since hotshot truckers deliver loads with the region they reside in or just within their local area, they drive shorter distances and can enjoy more time at home with their family.
Running a hot shot trucking business can be an easier way to start a logistics business because of the lower cost of equipment. Smaller vehicles with hot shot loads can be used, which means you don’t need to invest in a big rig. With the help of hot shot carrier load boards like Shiply, you can find loads to kickstart and grow your trucking business with ease. All you have to do is to register at the Shiply site and you’ll be able to compare the jobs available as you will have access to millions of customers and thousands of new shipping jobs posted every day. As a hot shot trucker registered on Shiply’s panel, you will be able to use their advanced search system on their load board which allows you to filter available jobs by state, by local, or by route, meaning that you should always be able to find a courier delivery job near you.
By building a solid customer base as a trusted and reliable hot shot trucker, a feast or famine situation can be avoided. Even with a few potential risks present, hot shot trucking as a whole is an excellent career opportunity.