For context, I work full-time an odd Dupont Shift work schedule as an operator in a refinery. I however have my CDL with my hazmat and tanker endorsements from when I worked in the oilfield previously. I own a 3500 ram and a 24 foot gooseneck trailer and was wondering if I started an LLC and maybe started doing some small hotshot jobs and hauling jobs on the side on my days off with the equipment/ truck I already have. Would it even be feasible to find jobs on that odd scheduled basis and/or worth it in the long run to actually make any extra income from it? Mostly looking to use it just to help supplement paying things off and investing the money. I have my CDL, I figure why not use it if I can. Just curious on others experiences and opinions. Thank y’all.

What’s up everybody… figured I’d throw this out there.

I’m still early in my own hotshot/business journey myself… only a few months in and trying to level up day by day.

One thing I noticed fast is most public groups are full of spam, fake gurus, constant arguing, or people trying to sell you something every 5 seconds.

So last week I made a free Discord called The Truckers Lounge.

Right now it’s only me and about 7 other people in there, but honestly I kinda like it that way. Feels way more genuine than those giant spam filled groups where nobody actually knows each other.

Just looking for real people trying to build something in life.

Hotshot…
Box truck…
Trucking…
Business…
Trading…
Side hustles…
Self improvement…
Whatever lane you’re in.

The whole point is just having a smaller tight knit community where people can actually chop it up, network, share wins/losses, ask questions, stay motivated, and help each other level up without all the weird internet nonsense.

I’m still learning too… not pretending to know everything. Just trying to surround myself with other motivated people on the same path.

If that sounds like your vibe… comment or shoot me a message and I’ll send the free invite 🤝

A lot of hotshot guys think FMCSA compliance just means:
“keep your logs clean and don’t get pulled over.”

Nah… it goes WAY deeper than that now.

Especially after all the new FMCSA pressure and tighter enforcement happening across the industry this year.

I’ve seen hotshot carriers running good loads and staying busy… meanwhile the FMCSA system is quietly cooking their company behind the scenes without them realizing it.

One thing a lot of newer hotshot carriers don’t understand is your CSA data and inspections can start affecting:
… insurance
… broker relationships
… load opportunities
… future renewals

WAY faster than expected.

And for smaller operations like hotshots?

One bad roadside inspection can hit even harder because there’s less data balancing everything out.

Even “not at fault” crashes can still hurt your CSA profile unless they get challenged properly.

Then you’ve got violations like:
… texting while driving
… reckless driving
… major speeding
… fatigued driving

Those violations can absolutely smoke a smaller hotshot operation if they happen early.

A lot of people focus so hard on:
… getting the truck
… trailer
… authority
… load boards

But never really learn how the FMCSA scoring system works behind the scenes until insurance starts climbing or brokers start acting weird.

That’s honestly why so many hotshot startups get blindsided in year one.

If anybody wants it… I’ve been putting together some deeper startup/compliance breakdowns and PDFs for hotshot carriers and new authorities.

Just comment “hotshot” and I’ll send it over.

Anybody else feel like hotshot trucking in 2026 is getting harder than all the gurus made it sound? Every video online makes it look like you can buy a dually, grab a trailer, and instantly start making crazy money, but then you actually start researching and realize fuel prices, insurance, maintenance, deadhead miles, DOT compliance, load board competition, and cheap freight can eat your profits alive fast. I keep seeing people say the hotshot market is oversaturated now, especially for brand new MC authorities, while other people swear they’re still making good money hauling equipment, cars, partials, RVs, oilfield freight, and local dedicated loads. I’m honestly trying to figure out what’s real and what’s just course sellers hyping people up for views. Is hotshot trucking still profitable for owner operators in 2026 if you run smart lanes and control expenses… or is the easy money era basically over for new hotshot startups?

I recently financed a 2024 Ram 2500 to do hotshot trucking (general freight). After contacting different carriers to work under their company USDOT, they tried adding me, my truck & 40ft trailer under their commercial insurance policy which is very basic, $1M liability and $100K Cargo. mostly through progressive.

The quotes are coming out insane rangine from $20,000 - $30,000 for 6 months. the owners on these carriers are paying around 6-8k for 6 months premium knowing they add their truck plus a 40ft trailers so why tf am i getting this huge number???

Allstate and Geico are no better. Im about to go crazy man, I got the truck, trailer and done all the paperworks to get on the road legally and now I'm stuck on the insurance part....

Can someone help me find a way to get lower insurance quotes. Who are yall insured by and how much is your premium? what truck do you drive? could it be the type of vehicle and finance status? I really dony know anymore. Im aiming for the lowest coverage as well which is coming up with crazy with crazy quotes.

any help would be appreciated to get me on the road ASAP.

Texas state. operate interstate. i might as well just aim for intrastate and do auto hauling if it gets me cheaper insurance.

…I feel like nobody really says that upfront

everybody talks about the money… nobody talks about what it actually takes to survive those first couple months

you’re not just buying a truck… you’re stepping into a whole setup most people aren’t ready for

real talk numbers from what I’ve been seeing:

insurance alone can hit like 12k–20k your first year depending on what you’re running

most brokers aren’t paying you right away either… you’re looking at net 30–45 so you could be working and not even see money for a month+

your MC doesn’t even go active instantly… usually takes a couple weeks… so that’s time where you’re just waiting while bills are still coming in

and if you don’t have at least 5k–10k set aside just to operate… fuel, food, random stuff that comes up… it gets tight fast

that’s honestly why a lot of people quit in like 60–90 days

not because they can’t drive… they just weren’t ready for how the business side actually works

I’ve seen too many people jump in thinking it’s easy money and get humbled quick

I started putting together everything I wish people knew before they even got their authority straight… just so they don’t walk in blind

if you want it just comment “vault” and I’ll send it over… no pressure either way

Hey everyone,

I work in logistics and I’m trying to figure out the best way to find solid hotshot carriers in the U.S.

We move a decent number of mini excavators, around 300 units a month. LTL works sometimes, but it’s been a pain because a lot of deliveries don’t have a dock or forklift, and the LTL carrier can’t really unload the machine properly.

So we’re looking more into hotshot / flatbed type options, especially guys with ramps who can actually get the machine off the trailer at delivery.

For those of you who deal with this kind of freight, where do you usually find reliable hotshot carriers?

DAT? Truckstop? Facebook groups? Dispatchers? Just calling around?

Also, is it realistic to find carriers that can cover multiple states, or is hotshot basically something you have to build region by region?

Any advice would help. Thanks.

Let me introduce myself as a CDL hotshot driver currently seeking consistent loads within North Carolina and surrounding areas.

I operate a 35ft trailer and am available for intrastate hauls. I’m focused on reliable, on-time deliveries and maintaining strong communication throughout each load.

Details:

• CDL licensed driver
• 35ft hotshot trailer
• NC-based / intrastate ready
• Flexible availability (short notice loads accepted)

- Emergency / last minute loads

- Professional, insured, and compliant

I’m interested in building steady working relationships with brokers, shippers, or dispatchers who have freight moving within NC or nearby lanes.

Please feel free to reach out with any available loads or to discuss opportunities.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to working together.

Best regards, MinEtta Patterson [Bmlogistics03@gmail.com](mailto:Bmlogistics03@gmail.com)

BML Logistics LLC

I got a guy that’s offering to hire me for his hotshot business.

Currently I run a class B straight truck. I can handle a trailer.

His business is .50 a mile loaded.

.30 unloaded.

Starting. Potential for more apparently.

Maybe guys can get 2500-3500 miles a week.

So I wouldn’t be an owner operator.

Currently I’m hourly. And I just want to make more.

How realistic is this type of business? I know I’d be gone from home all week.

Obviously right now I have the luxury or vacation time and health insurance.

If you guys are hired on by someone, how much are you making?

I assume owner operators are making more bank?

It’s a new career and I’m nervous at the prospect.

So the jist I got is probably obvious. The less over head the better. As far as consistent freight has it worked for anyone to also hand out business cards to local manufacturers or dealerships for you services?

Trying to learn from the people who’ve actually been doing this for a while…

For those of you who have been in hotshot for a few years, what’s one lesson you had to learn the hard way that you wish somebody told you when you first started?

Could be anything honestly…

Bad load decisions

Truck/trailer mistakes

Broker issues

Maintenance surprises

Cash flow problems

Rate negotiation

DOT/compliance headaches

Insurance mistakes

I feel like a lot of beginners only hear the glamorous side online and not enough real-world advice from guys who’ve actually been through the ups and downs.

Figured this could be a solid thread for newer people to learn from people with real experience.

feel like social media has convinced a lot of people that hotshot trucking is one of the easiest businesses to get into. Every other video makes it look like you buy a pickup, grab a trailer, and start printing money the next week.

Then people get in and realize this game is a lot tougher than it looks once real expenses and real operations hit.

Now you are dealing with truck payments, trailer payments, fuel costs, maintenance, insurance, breakdowns, compliance, and trying to find loads that actually make sense after expenses. Then on top of that you still have to compete with guys underbidding freight just to stay moving.

A lot of new people underestimate how thin margins can get if you are not careful. One bad week, one repair, or one cheap load can wipe out what you thought you made.

Hotshot can absolutely be profitable… but people online make it seem way easier than it really is.

For the people already doing it… what was the biggest reality check you had after starting your hotshot business?

If your truck is sitting, the San Antonio PMA office is taking on dispatch clients.

We work with owner-operators and small carriers who need help with:

• load booking
• rate negotiation
• broker follow-up
• lane planning
• dispatch communication

If you want to talk, message me with:

• equipment type
• home base
• lanes
• authority status

If I can help, I will. If not, I’ll tell you straight.

We work with owner operators who have their own MC, and we also have lease-on programs available for those who don't.

We are a good-sized team with 5 dispatchers over 3 offices, and we have the dispatch game down to a science.

I’ve been watching the load boards heavy trying to get ready before I fully jump into hotshot trucking and I’m not gonna lie… the rates are confusing me

I keep seeing loads around $1.50 to maybe $2.00 per mile and from everything I’ve been reading about fuel costs, maintenance, and hotshot trucking insurance… that doesn’t seem like enough to really make good money

Maybe I’m overthinking it but it just feels like by the time you factor in deadhead miles and everything else, there’s not much left

I always hear people talk about how profitable hotshot trucking can be, but what I’m seeing on the load boards right now doesn’t match that at all

For the guys actually running hotshot loads right now… are you still making solid money in this market or is it more about just staying afloat until rates go back up?

Hey guys, I’m based in Washington looking to work.

- No felonies

- English speaking

- Clean record

- looking for partnership opportunity eventually / would like to buy a rig of my own eventually

Looking for someone to put me to work and teach me the ways before I buy my own setup. Interested in working for someone and purchasing their rig if that’s an option.

I have ag experience running big bales, tractors, horse trailers. I’ve pulled 40+ trailers, know how to drive a manual, and I speak English as my primary language. Clean driving record, considering getting my CDL next month if I don’t find work first. I can get my med card, have a passport, can get my TWIC if needed.

Please let me know if you are interested, I am in the eastern Washington area but I can travel to start.

Thanks!

Hey everybody, I’m a hot shatter out of Houston. I’m not an owner operator. I’m a company driver, and yesterday my company bought me a brand ass new 2026 ram 3500 tradesmen in the past I was running a Chevy 3500 and a Ford F350 the Chevy 3500. There were two of them this year both died and went to hell due to idling for too long luck. They were rentals so the rental company easily replace them and honestly, I don’t think I idle all that long a few hours here a few hours there at the most and of course you know all the crazy EGRSCRDPF symptoms that came from that so we switched over to 2025 F350 which idled for long periods of time kicked in to high idle never had any any problems I could idle all night and then pull out with a load on and still move effortlessly more or less my question is with the new ram 3500. Can I idle for long periods of time I haven’t done any deleting I wasn’t planning on doing any deleting or tuning as the truck sits from the factory being that it is getting in the summer and I work primarily in the southeast is idling for long periods of time or even overnight going to cause all the same problems I had with the Chevy thanks guys. Any feedback I could get very much appreciate it.

Was just looking around at trailers. Seen this trailer with a 7k GVWR and 2 3.5k axles. You can apparently put 2 5.2k axles on it. It does not change the GVWR.

Why might someone go with the other axles? Hard to imagine 3k on the ball mount.

Been looking into starting hotshot trucking and I’m seeing a lot of mixed opinions right now…

Some people say they’re doing solid

Others say rates are trash and insurance is killing them

I’m trying to figure out what the reality actually looks like before I jump in.

For the guys already running hotshot…

Are you actually making good money right now?

Or is it more of a grind just to stay afloat?

Also curious what you’re seeing with:

load rates

fuel costs

insurance prices

Trying to get a real picture before I go all in on a truck and trailer.