Trucking: Specialty market Hot Shot hauling, antique car show, color business card

Question
Hi Bob,
I have been giving a lot of thought to running a Hot Shot specializing in the race car, rods, antique, restorations, exotics market, etc. My thoughts are a 3 car enclosed trailer, an online presence, getting links on e-bay, carsonline, etc and working the big car shows around the country. Do you have any experience you can share with me on this? My biggest problems at this early stage is determining potential here...earnings..also permits needed...etc. Seems to me a market for specialty vehicles and the personal one on one attention the Hot Shotter can give, lower operating costs as opposed to the big rig, are a great starting point. Would you see a higher rate for this market? Any help or advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi John.

The market your going after requires a good looking, ultra clean truck and trailer.  Appearances are everything, and that's how you'll land the accounts.  Companies like Exotic Car Transport, Reliable and Horseless Carriage built big companies out of this philosophy.  Customers shipping a Ferrari or Porsche GT3 racer will want as close to a 'show truck' as possible hauling their cars.  You don't have to break the bank, but make sure it looks good.  This will also help you get noticed and land new accounts.

As far as getting accounts go, I would visit as many potential customers as you could.  Get a full color business card and stop by as many race teams, custom rod building shops, and exotic car dealerships as you can.  This is the way you can drum up some business and great accounts. There is always an exotic and antique car show that you could display your truck at.

Your earning potential depends on the accounts.  Your operating costs may be somewhat lower, but when your loaded, your only getting paid for three cars as opposed to a class 8 truck getting paid for 6 or 7 cars.  Of course your truck would cost less and burn less fuel.  What you can offer is more personalized service, that's your niche.  The trick is finding loads that all pick up and deliver somewhat near each other.  Three cars that pick up in Orlando with one going to New York, the next to Seattle and the third to San Diego is not going to work for you.  This is where some car haulers will book the load, but end up shipping a couple cars with other carriers and making a small profit for taking the order.  I would write up a small business plan and call some potential competitors to get prices.  Now you know what they're charging and you can adjust your prices accordingly.

Permits and insurance are no big deal.  Contact your state's Department of Transportation or go to sites like www.dotauthority.com for help.  You'll need your DOT/MC number, fuel card, base plates and insurance.  The DOT can help you.

Good luck!

Bob Stephens