In the United States, trucks transported $10.4 trillion worth of goods in 2017.
This highlights just how important freight transport is, which is why hot shot trucking has become so popular.
But what is this type of trucking and what do you need to know about it? Keep reading to find out!
What Is Hot Shot Trucking?
Hot shot trucking is a relatively new concept in the transportation industry, and it has gained popularity in recent years due to the increasing demand for faster and more efficient shipping options.
Hot shot trucking companies typically use a combination of pickup trucks, vans, and smaller flatbed trucks to move loads of up to 10,000 pounds. These trucks are usually equipped with trailers, ramps, and tie-downs to secure the load and ensure safe transport.
This is different from expedited shipping which has vans, tractor-trailers, and pickup trucks on standby to finish the job. Instead of keeping these shipping vehicles ready, hot shot trucking jobs are distributed to various drivers through job boards.
This makes it a great option for drivers who want to make some money on the side.
Pros and Cons
There are advantages and disadvantages to this type of truck driving service, but one of the benefits is that if you’re interested in starting this type of business, it’s relatively easy.
It’s cheaper to buy and insure a Class 3 truck and trailer rather than a Class 8. Some of the other benefit is that the drivers can set their own price before taking a job, which offers the drivers competitive rates and flexibility.
Some of the challenges are that it can be difficult to find workers if you are offering pay rates that are too low or are trying to ship when demand is high. It can also be challenging to maintain the resale value of these trucks, and the cost will likely depreciate.
Hotshot drivers also still have to have the same insurance, qualifications, and certifications to be able to complete these jobs, so you’ll need to ensure that you have a process for vetting the drivers.
Hot Shot Trucking vs Expedited Freight
Hot shot and expedited trucks have many differences, with the first being that hot shots are normally Class 3, 4, or 5 trucks. Expedited freight owners will have straight trucks, tractor-trailers, or cargo vans on standby to rush an order through.
With expedited freight, the use of those vehicles is normally exclusive, and they don’t make any extra stops or pickups, but rather they focus on delivering the package that they were assigned to do.
Learn More About Hot Shot Trucking
These are only a few things you should know about hot shot trucking, but there are many other advantages to this solution.
We know learning about this industry can be challenging, which is why we’re here to help you.
If you’re interested in reading more articles like this one, check out our blog posts!
