Trucking: hot shot trucking, hot shot business, target customer

Question
Me and my husband was thinking about getting into the hot shot run thing as me being a broker.  He is more interested in hauling nothing but vehicles. How hard would that be and how do we go about it?

Answer
Hi Addie,

I get asked a ton of questions about getting into the hot shot business.  Not knowing your (or your husbands) level of knowledge in the trucking industry, I'll guide you the best I can.

For starters, read some of my previous answers to questions.  I've covered a lot with hot shot trucking and car hauling with other people.

The basics are starting your business.  Getting your DOT/MC numbers, permits and so forth.  Buying the proper equipment, making sure you have enough insurance, etc.  Then it's time to find the loads.

I recommend sites like www.expeditorsonline.com because they have a wealth of information and a great forum.  People there can really help guide you in the right direction.

Now my question would be, are you going to just find loads for your husband, or broker for others as well?  If it's just for your husband, you don't need to go through all the requirements to be a broker (licensing, credit checks, etc.)  That would be starting a second business, and not one that should be taken lightly.

If you are just going to find your husband loads, then there are many options available to you.  First, I use websites like www.getloaded.com to find loads.  In your case, you should knock on doors too.  I know guys who haul autos from exotics to used Fords.  Your dealing with two different animals here.  Many of these guys have regular accounts.  They went to auto auctions and dealers to drum up business. The key is, how far do you want to run and who is your target customer?

Some of the complaints I've heard are that some dealers will hold out on paying you for a long time, that the pay isn't always great and that you could spend hours trying to find a single car to pick up at an auction (yes, you'll have to find them).

With exotics, I've known one driver who takes high resolution photos of each car before it's loaded and does an intense walk around checklist with the shipper.  Too often, he says, that when he unloads a car, the receiver points out defects that "must of occurred during shipping".

Not to scare you, but give you a heads up.  You can be successful in auto hauling, and there is a lot of business nationwide.  Know what market you want to tackle and go for it!

Like I said before, check some of my previous answers to help you out.  If you have further questions, feel free to ask!

Good luck!

Bob Stephens