What is Hot Shot Trucking?

Hot Shot Trucking is when relatively small loads are transported in the shortest possible time and, more often than not, to a single customer. As a rule, medium-duty trucks are used for such shipments.

What exactly do drivers do in the hot trucking?

As mentioned above, unlike conventional trucking, hot hauling has the following limitations:

• low weight cargo;
• a few hours for delivery.

As for the distance, it can be both short and quite long. Some routes are interstate, and some even involve crossing a state border.

The vast majority of hot truckers are freelance owner-operators. They have their own vehicles at their disposal and find orders on specialized websites. However, this is not an axiom. In some cases, drivers working for trucking companies also take hot orders.

The main thing that attracts truckers to hot trucking is, of course, their high cost. It is explained by the fact that from time to time, companies from different industries are faced with the need to urgently deliver some equipment to a particular address in order to avoid loss of productivity and, consequently, profits.

The types of trucks that are suitable for hot trucking

U.S. law does not impose too many requirements on hot trucking. For this reason, drivers are practically free to choose their vehicles. But single-ton pickup trucks, classified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as “medium-duty” are the most popular.

Although the above vehicles are almost always classified as non-commercial, you are allowed to engage them for hot hauling, provided you have the following documents:

• business registration certificate;
• a permit to operate the truck;
• USDOT number (without it, you can’t move cargo across state lines);
• insurance contract.

Advantages and disadvantages of hot trucking

As with any industry, there are pros and cons. Some of them affect the career itself, and some affect the lifestyle.

So, the pros:

1. You don’t need a lot of money to get started. Hot trucking trucks are several times cheaper than long-haul trucks. Also, insuring the former will cost less than insuring the latter.
2. Maximum discretion. You decide for yourself what cargo to take and when to go. Moreover, in such freight transport you are not limited in setting rates, so downtime is not a problem – you can compensate for it.
3. This is interesting! Agree that work should bring not only money, but also pleasure. Hot trucking is more exciting than long-distance trucking. Many hot truckers enjoy the challenge of transporting such cargo.

As for the downsides, there are few:

1. Instability. Hot trucking charges per mile, and as a result, you won’t have a regular paycheck as an owner-operator. In addition, you are required to always be ready to take orders.
2. The hassle. You are required to maintain the truck yourself and at your own expense.

The best hot truckers make about $100,000 a year and that’s not the limit. However, the average ranges from $50,000 to $75,000 a year.