A MONTH INTO NON CDL HOTSHOT | WHAT IT COSTS TO BE A NEW OWNER OP IN 2024

[@AKN8TV]

Dude. You made a profit in the first month! It might not be what you want it to be but it’s better than the alternative. Keep your head up. Love your setup and your videos.

[@truckertavis]

Definitely happy about making a profit! And thanks! Appreciate you watching them!

[@ReelMowingClub]

Love the channel. Keep grinding! It’s extremely hard for trucking companies right more. But the only way is up from here. If we survive this we can survive anything.

[@truckertavis]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@Sunshinetruelyblessed]

I love that you have praise ❤ many blessings for sharing your experience

[@truckertavis]

Gotta give all the praise 🙌🏼

[@RandyLeClair-o7d]

Hey Travis It’s April 8, 2024 for about 12:30 in the afternoon I just caught a glimpse of you running southbound on the 15 near Fillmore Utah Just wanted to say hey I love that colorful set up I’m just getting started myself Fortunately, I don’t need to make a lot of money

[@RandyLeClair-o7d]

2024

[@Rudeboi4571]

God is good keep your head in the game you got it brother you are going to build relationships with brokers an others remember that keep your eyes an ears open

[@truckertavis]

Amen!!

[@DreamBuild.]

Keep up the hustle! God bless!

[@truckertavis]

Appreciate it!!

[@David-td5po]

Bro let me give you a piece of advice because you will get audited, it's just a matter of time. Each run you should have a BOL, rate con, and fuel receipts. Don't jumble all your receipts together like that, keep them separated or it will bite you in the ass.

[@truckertavis]

All my receipts are kept there in my center console to save until I get home and then file them accordingly along with my BOL and Rate Cons. I may be new to this but after 10 years in the industry I’m not that incompetent haha

[@David-td5po]

@@truckertavis Understood, but why make it harder on yourself. Paperclip everything as you go that way you're not circling back doing twice the work. Best of luck.

[@truckertavis]

@@David-td5po it’s just my method and it’s been working so I don’t wanna change it up.

[@Andreynizov]

@@truckertavisfuel receipts? Dot audit doesn’t ask for that

[@JoshAllenberg]

​@@David-td5poits not that hard to sort a dozen receipts. Takes about 30 seconds

[@jaredepstein5025]

You are making more money than you think. You are accounting expenses for loads you absolutely did, and earned the income on. Just because you don’t have the cash in hand yet, doesn’t mean you didn’t earn it in that month. Cash accounting vs accrual accounting. If you go off cash accounting, the numbers will be skewed on both ends (when you didn’t collect but did the work vs collected on work already done and expenses counted for in the previous month.)

[@truckertavis]

Yeah true, including that week I made over what I was shooting for monthly.

[@DBene-br7xo]

Cool video, can’t wait to see the progression in your business. They aren’t kidding when they say the first 1-5 years as a business owner are where companies make it or break it! Keep praising your way to make it !

[@randywallace8446]

Hay bud its tight right now ive been running a little over 4yrs i would suggest getting your CDL as soon as possible it will double your potential loads

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been running non CDL for 9 months now and just grabbed my Class A Permit so I can do the online theory and pay someone on the list to do BTW. If I could do it all over again I’d just start with the CDL so I don’t have to deal with buying and selling equipment.

[@jamesrodriguez1602]

he already have his cdl

[@truckertavis]

I have my CDL and endorsements. I just wanted to run a non CDL setup to learn the business side of it. I’ll get a CDL setup soon.

[@nickangersola]

I need help finding decent insurance. I’m in FL and they want like 40k a year.

[@stkbloc9717]

@@truckertavisman please don’t go into more debt just for a cdl setup

[@Mondabarber]

First checking in love your videos getting ready to start my journey!!

[@truckertavis]

Enjoy the journey!

[@ReelMowingClub]

FYI a MC isn’t active until it has insurance. So to your point of opening up an MC and waiting won’t work unless you have money to blow every month on insurance and not operate.

[@truckertavis]

Yep, this is true.

[@stephenbuckley5273]

God is good indeed my friend! Curious to hear how you are doing now that you've been in the game for 6+ months. Feeling encouraged? Discouraged?

[@raulrivera8577]

God is good brother all the time

[@jroth87]

You should find some time to do a few accounting basic classes. It helped me with my small business. I only say that because you are describe cash method accounting, which is normal for a business like you have. You still want to keep inventory of your balance sheet though because technically, accounts receivable is still an asset and is important to know how to figure for future capital you may need

[@JoeJohnson-qf2jg]

What you should be trying is not having pmts on a truck and trailer that’s eating a lot of your profit up. By the time you get those paid off you’ll be needing maintenance on them or worse having to replace your truck. Maybe think about finding an older truck you can get for less. I understand needing both but if you giving money away to the finance company then it’s a losing battle.

[@RemotePaws]

I was thinking if you could find a slightly older truck, you can take out your truck payment if you're able to pay for it all out right. Thank you for the vid. this business has been something ive been thinking on

[@Fourandaquarter]

Keep an accurate log at least, with fuel and other costs included. It's not hard to come up with something that will work. A few simple office supplies etc. and you're you're good to go.

[@phill8260]

Convert the backseat into a bed or your passenger side from front to back into a bed so you can sleep in get a fuel card so you can have showers at gas stations and get a gym membership to be able to shower. It should only take you $100a week for food then you’ll see your profit rise calculate everything before you take a load

[@BakkenHotshot]

Love your videos man

[@truckertavis]

@@BakkenHotshot thanks man!

[@timphillipsoutdoors924]

keep after it. The longer you do it, you will get regular customers that will call you. Like I told my buddy, don't mention to customers that you are not CDL unless they ask, doesn't matter as long as you are 26,000lbs.

[@natehawkins2910]

Ok I’m your newest subscriber and just want to clarify: what is your total gross for your first 30 days? What are your total costs? Total number of miles? Those three amounts are all you need to present an accurate picture of what you “made”….don’t call gross income “what you made” that’s what you billed. I’m a numbers guy (have owned a small printing company since I was 19, I’m now 45). The Lord has been exceedingly good to me all these years, but it took about 10 years before I was living comfortable. Also, I have a 2024 ram 2500 Cummins and can’t seem to find you talk about your truck. You may want to do a vid on your truck so we get more familiar with you and your rig. God bless you buddy from Ohio!

[@truckertavis]

I might have to make another video. It wasn’t a very good month due to starting around holidays and one week of it I made no money. I grossed over $8k and spent $7k. I did 13k miles. All the money I made on the 4th week rolled into the 5th week. And I’ll have to make a video on the truck that more in depth for you.

[@Javs_817]

@@truckertavishow do you spend 7k in a month? Just curious

[@cess1na]

Please consider getting your camera set so we view in the correct perspective. Thanks. Enjoy your presentations…

[@truckertavis]

It’s in the works. Thanks for the feedback

[@CLamb385]

just got my DOT number today. Going to get my MC soon.. got any tips on getting loads? Im in Wisconsin and there isnt much intrastate on uship. I have a car hauler trailer but thinking about getting a 30-40' deckover gooseneck.

[@truckertavis]

@@CLamb385 that’s awesome! I’m not a car hauler but the best tips I can give to a new owner op is don’t let the “no’s” discourage you. You will gear that 98% of the time until your 3rd month. Get onboarded with TQL and run loads for them. There’s a few others who work with new MC’s but not many. Get a factoring company. I recommend RTS. UShip is trash. Rates are awful on there and they take a huge chunk out of the already crap rate, highly recommend staying off that site. Get DAT or Truck Stop. Good luck!

[@CLamb385]

@ thanks!! By car hauler I meant a 7k trailer, not actually car hauler. I own a drywall and painting company now so I’m not stranger to building a business and dealing with rejection. Appreciate the knowledge!!!

[@squirrelatwork]

Whats your insurance? Wife and i do junk removal 1 truck 1 trailer and commercial insurance cost $7,300 year.

[@jlythree]

How do you find loads being new?

[@kevina4764]

This is a very good question????? I would like to know as well?

[@ballucanb8096]

You need to use accrual accounting so you can match the earned revenue with the expenses. Don't forget to include depreciation as an expense. Lastly, while your financial accounting should be done on the accrual basis, the tax return should be done on the cash basis...you don't want to pay tax on income you have not yet received.

[@Ryannfrfr]

God is good!!!! Keep trucking

[@robertgonzalez384]

Tavis, bro you need to chill for a minute and get a grip on real accounting. You can’t use cash accounting for half of your income and net 30 for your customers.

[@badass1g]

Good lord that’s rough!!!!

[@truckertavis]

Yep. The first 3-6 months isn’t fun as a new MC.

[@angelamorris9507]

You need a dispatcher it sounds like. I handle all issues for my drivers and I have connections with some brokers. Get you a dispatcher who specializes with hotshot loads. Hang in there.

[@truckertavis]

@@angelamorris9507 appreciate it but I’m not hotshotting anymore. I upgraded into a semi and running direct customer loads now

[@jamesbell9617]

Plug me with somebody at the sale team over at diamond C . I’m looking for a trailer myself right now

[@truckertavis]

You have to go through a local dealership where you live. They don’t work directly with their customers from my experience

[@Hicks8907]

Where do you find loads looking to get into a few loads in my free time

[@truckertavis]

Do you have a MC or DOT number? If not the brokers won’t work with ya

[@Mx7one1]

Hey my man, I think I passed you on 93 north of Kingman the other day with the silver pickup on you !

[@truckertavis]

Hey hey! That was me! Small world

[@endlessopenroad]

Man. Get it together I did 20k gross with a 1500 no trailer. Step it up.

[@ryheemsmith804]

How?

[@truthseeker-0026]

Bro you need to be getting 2.50 a mile that sucks

[@christophermoffit4855]

How can I run under another company as a no cdl owner operator hotshot driver with no experience. I've been looking for this work in Houston Tx online and all the job postings show at least 6 months to a year minimum to get hired

[@Escaping_Blue_Collar]

Definitely run under somebody else. My business failed because I moved too fast. When I ran under an established MC my net was 7-8k a month. I got my own authority and went bankrupt! My insurance went from 1000 to 2200. My fuel cards didn’t get the same discounts, and be brokers stayed low balling me.

[@truckertavis]

@@Escaping_Blue_Collar this video was almost a year ago brother lol I’m in a semi now with direct customers. Haven’t talked to a broker in awhile. Sorry to hear about your hotshot business man :/

[@Cell970]

I have a f350 srw and looking to get into hotshot should I get a trailer to be slightly under the max towing capacity of my truck since I have a cdl? Any suggestions will help even if I have to trade it in for a dually

[@truckertavis]

Highly recommend a dually. The more weight you can get the more money you’ll make

[@fansofwrestling9115]

Make sure you do your taxes quarterly if your a 1099 not a W2

[@smgjones885]

So if I lease on to somebody start my mc? Do your mc expire if you don’t use it while it aging?

[@truckertavis]

I’m not 100% sure how that works. From what I understand you still have to have commercial insurance for your MC to be active to age. I’m not the best to ask about things like that.

[@natethegreat766]

I need to work towards paying off your truck and trailer and then it's well worth it

[@pheap369]

How do you get load going non cdl

[@truckertavis]

I have all the load boards that are available

[@kayla506]

I believe anything less then 10000pounds is non cdl

[@BirdLips2]

Under 26,000lbs @@kayla506

[@jordanbyrne6893]

I don't believe that is profit. Are you accounting for tires, brakes, suspension, etc. You have to account for those! Be careful. Safe travels

[@MrSelman-u1n]

Okay so I’m getting a box truck for this job it’s 1099 base pay but if I make more than my base pay off loads I get all the load money they said I don’t need a usdot it’s all local no out of state they send me the pickup info on a app and I pick it up drop it off and show picture of delivery and name of person I delivered it to all my loads are gonna be under 26000 pounds with box truck weight lmk what y’all think making sure I’m not gonna be bit in the a**

[@MrSelman-u1n]

And I have done a delivery for them before with my suv and they sent the money same day to my bank

[@devindurham8498]

Hey man, sorry if you mentioned this. How many total hours do you think you worked during the month?

[@alexsimon9414]

I think 18-19 everyday.

[@Invertmini1212]

Depends on the miles for the delivery, but don't expect to do 8 hours a day and be profitable and successful... You need to put In serious miles and hours, it isn't for the faint hearted.

[@Tee-levisionTV]

Are you going to stay non cdl

[@truckertavis]

Plan is to get a dually and CDL setup when it’s possible

[@mladenmarcinko2113]

I’m you have to go in Bowling Green.

[@joelbuyno5500]

Most of you guys that are hotshot trucking aren't making much money it's because you're making payments on your equipment, and don't stay in a hotel sleep in your truck if you're not willing to make sacrifices you're going to have a hard time making it

[@truckertavis]

@@joelbuyno5500😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@EdworthWinifred]

Im doing some research for a project. What are some of the biggest operational headaches you guys deal with daily? Ive heard BOL generation, and sending invoices is a headache.

[@isaaclopez1727]

How do you run under someone else?

[@truckertavis]

@@isaaclopez1727 no clue I’ve never done that

[@isaaclopez1727]

@@truckertavis are you bringing in more money now than when this video came out?

[@truckertavis]

@@isaaclopez1727 oh 100% but there’s still struggles. Lots of ups and downs as an owner op

[@s.q.p.rvictrix1950]

1$ per mille is crazy

[@truckertavis]

What it’s like starting out. You hear “no” 99.9% of the time on higher rates due to a new MC. Scammers and double brokers have ruined this industry for anyone new

[@YungPudding-v3w]

what are you using to get loads ?

[@truckertavis]

Every load board available

[@That0neGuy69lol]

How many times are you going to act like a kid and put your hands over your face lmao. Be proud you're doing your own thing.

[@joelbuyno5500]

You are doing something wrong if you're only making that in a month

[@Meqdaad786]

Hey buddy! What's your monthly income?

[@truckertavis]

One month in so far so I can’t give you any reliable info. I technically made $14k this month gross. Take home was almost $7k

[@harrybaulz666]

He be gone in a year

[@samwaldfogel2246]

Dude... stop dragging out the video. Dam.

[@christhomas9837]

I'm confused with your accounting. Are you owed money that you haven't collect yet?

[@truckertavis]

I factor my loads so they take a few days to deposit

[@ReelMowingClub]

@@truckertavishow much are you paying for factoring percentage wise

[@miketaylorjets]

Quit then!

[@truckertavis]

Nah

[@miketaylorjets]

Good then stay strong and don’t beat yourself up man. Stay strong don’t call yourself stupid. This is motivation for a lot of us. I’ll be out there truckin with you soon man!

[@PrecisionPowderCoating]

Duuuuude get on with it. You talk about numbers but you rant for 5 minutes before giving any numbers lol

[@truckertavis]

I wanted to explain the situation and why the numbers were bad

[@Mrpenichee]

🚮

[@SNNS-nq5zg]

Doge ram = shitty us production 🤮

[@truckertavis]

@@SNNS-nq5zg dodge* and they aren’t built in America …