Hotshot Trailers and Trucking: What You Need to Know

Imagine a construction site that urgently needs a particular piece of heavy equipment, a retail store in desperate need of an immediate restock of a bestselling product, or a military base requiring transit of special materials. All these cases signal time-sensitive scenarios, and that’s where hotshot truckers shine. 

Hotshot trucking involves hauling smaller loads that need to be delivered quickly, thus the term “hot shot.”

This method of transportation gets freight from Point A to Point B without the delays you’d get waiting for a big rig.

What Is Hotshot Trucking?

Think of hotshot trucking as a streamlined solution for businesses with freight that won’t fill a whole semi but needs to be delivered yesterday. Hotshot drivers use medium-duty trucks or even pickup trucks to get the job done quickly.

From construction materials to specialized equipment, a hotshot carrier hauls loads that other truckers just can’t handle in terms of urgency and flexibility.

In this industry, hotshot trucking has become the go-to for folks who need fast, flexible freight solutions.

These hotshot drivers are a different breed – they don’t mind long hours or tough roads as long as they can deliver.

The Right Rigs for Hotshot Trucking

A hotshot setup isn’t just any truck and trailer. If you’re serious about hotshotting, you need the right gear.

For trailers, it’s all about versatility. Hotshot drivers rely on flatbed trailers, gooseneck trailers, and bumper pull trailers – each one suited for different types of freight.

Types of hotshot trailers:

• Bumper Pull Trailers: the easiest type to maneuver and hitch, making them an excellent choice for non-CDL hotshot drivers and those new to the hotshot business.
• Flatbed Trailers: provide a dependable middle ground, with sufficient space and weight capacity for a wide array of jobs.
• Gooseneck Trailers: offer unparalleled stability and weight distribution, perfect for hauling large items and heavier loads.
• Step Deck Trailers: Designed with a lower deck height, allowing for taller loads that would otherwise exceed height restrictions. This option is ideal for carrying heavy or oversized equipment while maintaining a low center of gravity.

With the right trailer and truck, a hotshot driver can tackle any shipment, from time-sensitive loads to the toughest equipment that needs a quick turnaround. But remember, maintaining these rigs isn’t cheap. Maintenance costs add up fast, so hotshot truckers are always on top of tire and engine upkeep to stay in the game.

Hotshot Trucking: What You Need to Get Started

Switching gears, let’s discuss the necessary steps and prerequisites for becoming a hotshot driver. You’ll need more than just a truck and trailer.

Here’s a rundown of the essentials:

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): A must if you’re hauling loads above a certain weight. Gaining a CDL involves passing written and practical exams that test advanced driving skills and vehicle management.
• USDOT Number: Required if you’re crossing state lines, working with freight brokers, or hauling for commercial clients. This number serves as an identifier for your truck, helping monitor and audit compliance with state regulations and federal regulations.
• Insurance: Liability coverage, cargo coverage, and additional property damage protection are non-negotiables. Depending on what you’re hauling, you might also need specialized insurance for hazardous materials.

Whether you’re hauling construction equipment or smaller loads across state lines, it pays to have the right insurance and documentation in place. This keeps you compliant and ensures you’re covered if something goes sideways.

Where Hotshot Truckers Find Loads

Operating as a hotshot driver extends well beyond delivering loads safely and punctually. It involves managing logistics. 

Load boards are the bread and butter of hotshot trucking. These online boards connect hotshot drivers with freight that needs moving.

Hotshot drivers who want to stay busy rely on multiple sources for loads, like freight brokers and specialized hot shot load boards. This way, a truck driver can choose the loads that best fit their route, rig, and schedule. For the right hotshot trucker, a load board is an open door to consistent work – you pick the load, and off you go.

If you’re hauling freight and need something moved in a hurry, these load boards are a fantastic option for finding a hotshot carrier who can get the job done.

Costs to Run a Hotshot Business

Running a hotshot trucking business is rewarding, but it’s also expensive. From fuel costs to maintenance costs, there’s always something that needs to be paid.

Here are a few of the big-ticket expenses hot shot drivers manage:

• Fuel Costs: Whether you’re running a commercial motor vehicle, straight truck, or box truck, fuel costs are a daily expense.
• Insurance Premiums: Insurance coverage is essential – from liability insurance to cargo coverage, hotshot drivers can’t afford to skip on insurance.
• Maintenance: Keeping your truck in top shape means regular repairs, oil changes, and parts replacements. The workhorse of the trucking industry, hotshot rigs need constant care.

All these expenses mean that staying profitable requires a lot of strategic planning. But for those who keep on top of costs, hotshot trucking can offer great returns without the need for a full-fledged semi.

It’s important to note that just like any other business, there’s a certain amount of risk and uncertainty involved in the transportation industry. Income can fluctuate based on load availability, the rates you negotiate, your ability to manage operating expenses, and the overall economy. Being a successful hotshot driver is not just about driving but also about effectively running your own business. 

Partner with Mercer Transportation

With a clearer understanding of what goes into the operation and economics of running a trucking business, the question comes down to this: With so much responsibility, wouldn’t it be advantageous to partner with an established company in the trucking industry?

At Mercer, we may not specialize in hotshot loads, but our expertise in handling heavy hauling, heavy equipment transport, and more complex freight needs makes us a reliable resource for anyone in the trucking industry.

What truly sets Mercer apart is our 100% owner-operator model. Each driver has the freedom to select from over 500,000 loads each year, allowing them to choose the jobs they prefer and manage their business as they see fit. Unlike larger, conventional companies, drivers working with Mercer are involved in virtually every aspect of their business. Additionally, you get access to all the benefits a trucking company should provide: prompt payments, fuel discounts, and dedicated load coordinators.