A Week In The Life Of A Non-CDL Hotshot

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[@bryanx590]

To be honest, when they lower a container onto your trailer, you should have the legs down to take the impact of them dropping the container onto the trailer and the suspension of your truck. You can easily bend or damage your frame or suspension system by having them drop the load down, even if the load looks like its placed gently on the trailer.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I like that, great idea and I didn’t think about it. Once he was putting the first container on you can hear me getting worried, he was having trouble releasing it. With the legs down and blocking the tires I can keep it off my rear axle.

[@crazytrucker2376]

So true. I once had a fat chick jump on me at a nightclub and my back has hurt me ever since.

[@user-fk2mp5xh4s]

I set my parking brake in neutral before putting it in park, it helps keep weight off of the transmission and lets me know when to adjust so that I don't fail during inspection. I also block the feont and back of a wheel on heavy loads. California requires CDL on any trailer able to haul 10k+ Lbs. even if not hauling the weight.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I do the same exact thing with the parking brake, I didn’t know anyone else did it. Even if I pull up to the fuel island, I put the parking brake in while in neutral and then throw it in park, it’s just a habit now.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

The 10k limit is absolutely true and most people don’t know it. Luckily the scales have been instructed to honor the registration of the home state, so since I’m from Oregon and we are allowed to haul it, they don’t stop me. I have been told that by 3 different level 1 inspections in California now in the past year. Don’t ask me why they chose to do that, but they are.

[@user-fk2mp5xh4s]

@@Blue_Sky_Hotshots I've seen trucks roll away from snapping the transmission while loading with a forklift. That's good to hear that California doesn't mess with you.

[@Redbeard0705]

Ivealways heard bad things about containers, any issues with them? I know the mpg was horrible but what about mechanical issues? Getting into it soon and trying to my best to avoid containers but it seems to be about the only thing near me

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I didn’t have any issues and you are absolutely correct, the mpg will be the worst on these. This is the only time I’ve ever hauled containers in over a year, but if there’s a lot of them near you then maybe see if you can get them as a direct customer and see if you can grab $3 a mile for them, that will make it worth it and give you consistent freight.

[@Ndw1995]

I don’t know much about trucking, but I know enough to know you need all sorts of licensing and DOT numbers, if this guy does not have a CDL, don’t the hours of service not apply to him? And also, what stopping a guy from setting up a logistics deal with a shipper and receiver without a middleman? Is that even legal to do?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

A few years back the FMCSA changed things and made it so anyone hauling freight for hire, no matter a CDL or not, is required to have an ELD to log hours, so I do have one. I can set up and haul for any shipper/receiver as long as it’s not one that I’ve hauled for a broker. If I were to back door a broker and take the shipper from them, they can take me to court and take a percentage of every load I haul to compensate them for lost revenue.

[@RedTruckRanch]

Hey I’m in Redmond and about to start my own hotshot this year. I’ve got some questions moving forward. Any chance we can connect?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

You bet. If you’ve already reached out via email I apologize I’m absolutely awful at responding. Email me @ [e-mail]

[@Luis-229_]

I wish i could find a non cdl job in alabama but its hard

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

What do you mean, can you tell me more? What exactly are you looking for? Maybe myself or someone else reading this can help you out.

[@Luis-229_]

@@Blue_Sky_Hotshots well it's hard to get in a non cdl job here because I'm 18 and most want you to be 21

[@christianrosa756_7]

I have a question. I would assume hot shot trucking is more profitable than semi truck trucking because of the expedite ability and gas efficiency, right? Also, I want to get into tanker hazmat hauling and dont know if hotshot trucking would be a good way to start. I do plan on getting my cdl and eventually buy my own semi, but I would figure if a hotshot is more profitable, why not start there.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I wouldn’t say it’s more profitable, it really depends on a ton of different factors (cdl or non cdl, equipment, customers/brokers, overhead, etc.). Honestly, if you want to get into something that specific, you’ll need a bunch of experience to do it. I’d start on that experience right away and get my CDL and find a non hazmat tanker job that pays well and that will get you to your goal quicker.

[@christianrosa756_7]

Thank you for your advice

[@jasonscales2522]

Do you consider deadhead in your rpm's?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

Are you talking about the RPMs that I’m putting in these videos, or when I’m quoting a customer?

[@jasonscales2522]

@@Blue_Sky_Hotshots Quoting the customer?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

If I can then I do. It depends on the lane and if there’s a decent amount of freight, or if there’s zero freight and I need something to get me out of that area. You know when you can be aggressive and when you have to just tell them you’ll take it for the rate posted.

[@jasonscales2522]

I'm doing about $2100-$2200 wk in the mid-west/east coast. What is my dispatch doing wrong?

[@bryonsusedautos]

No booking you the proper loads

[@iamOAKland]

They should be fired!!!!

[@jasonscales2522]

@@iamOAKland I think it's time to find another company to lease to

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

The Midwest and East is where most of the freight is, it’s much harder to run on the west coast. What I’m saying is, if you are a CDL setup then you should be able to run more than twice that, and honestly even non CDL.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

@@jasonscales2522 reach out to me at [e-mail] so we can talk more about this. I’m very busy and bad at responding just to be up front, but I’m trying to set time aside and I’ll do what I can to help.