Trucking: Recommend Trailers, hot shot business, lowboy trailer

Question
I have been a flat-bed long haul driver for over 10 years.  I want to start my own hot shot business and work for myself not someone else.  I am looking to haul lumber, pipe, and other items of the like.  What type of trailer would you recommend?

Answer
Hi Ronald.

Depending on what type of Hot Shot your going to run, I would get some sort of lowboy flatbed trailer.  The problem with other trailers, like dovetails, is that the wheel well is above the bed of the trailer.  You know how that will go over when the forklift is trying to unload the lumber.  I attached a link of a very good trailer.  The problem with some of them (like this "Big Tex") is that it is hard to load low profile vehicle (That is, if you ever haul vehicles).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/40ft-Lowboy-Trailer_W0QQitemZ170076082414QQihZ007...

Also, I would look into buying a winch and mounting it in the front of the trailer.  You never know when someone will have a non-running tractor, car, etc. that will need to be loaded and shipped.

Finally, just check with the manufacturer with the specs on the axles.  On "cheap" trailers, that will be the first thing that breaks and you know how heavy lumber is.

Good luck!

Bob Stephens