Is Hot Shot Trucking Right for You?

According to an old story, hot shot trucking started back in the 1970s, in the oilfields of Texas. Drivers would stand by to load and deliver newly manufactured drill parts, often driving through the night to get them to their destination at off-road pumping or drilling destinations. As you might have guessed, “hot shot” refers to the non-stop, immediate-delivery nature of the job.

Nowadays, you’ll also notice that hot shot trucking in Houston, TX frequently refers not only to quick delivery, but also to the type of truck that is used, and often the type of freight it is hauling. If you are considering a career in hot shot trucking in Houston, TX, check out the information below to learn more.

What type of truck is used?

Most hot shot trucks are Class 3-5 and can be combined with a variety of trailers. Commonly, 3/4 to 1 1/2-ton cab-and-chassis rigs are used. There are also many pickups in use, which are modified to allow a fifth-wheel variety of connection to some trailers.

Hot shot truckers are freelance—meaning they do not sign with a trucking company, but operate as a solo entity—and usually haul freight for one specific customer at a time. The freight is needed as fast as possible, so drivers work on an expedited schedule to get supplies where they need to go right away. One good example of hot shot freight is power equipment, which has to be acquired immediately in order to help companies keep power grids up and running.

The nitty gritty

Delving into hot shot trucking in Houston, TX comes with its own set of pros and cons, just like regular trucking, or any other job, for that matter.

In the pros column:

• Good income: Many hot shot truck drivers make more than standard tractor trailer or flatbed drivers.
• Good timing: Unlike regular truck driving jobs, hot shot truckers usually experience very quick turnaround for showing up at the pickup location and getting the materials loaded. There is little to no waiting at either the shipping or the receiving end, since the materials need to be sent and received as quickly as possible.
• Local route: Since freight tends to be shipped locally, hot shot truckers can usually stay local. The hours and schedule are demanding, but they don’t find themselves out of state all the time, like most trucking company drivers.

And of course, there are some cons, too:

• Frequent maintenance: Hot shot trucking in Houston, TX comes with a high maintenance cost. Wear and tear on the vehicle leads to recurring repair needs, and extra maintenance is often required to keep everything running.
• Seasonal business loss: Since hot shot truckers operate in-state, they may experience an off-season where business is slower.
• Lots of paperwork: All paperwork, insurance, permits and licensing are done personally, rather than being handled by a company. This can be confusing and time-consuming.

At the end of the day, hot shot trucking is a personal choice. It isn’t right for everyone, but it may be right for you! Get in touch with Pro Delivery LLC to learn more.

Categorised in: Hot Shot Trucking

This post was written by Writer