Totally forgot in to say in step 2 TAX ID number Business bank account A. MC# B. USDOT# C. BOC3 D. Insurance within 30 days E. Make a Carrier Packet *Letter of authority *Insurance *W9 - tax id *5 references F. Pay for load board G. Factoring Mandatory company audit in the first 18 months, complete records check KYU 60k+ Oregon HUT IFTA Toll Roads - IPass/E-ZPass Weigh stations - Norpass/PrePass/Drivewyze Recommended Business phone number Business email Business cards Dropbox storage Accounting softwate
I really do appreciate all this info. I drive for a trucking company (22 years). I'm about to start my Hotshot business in around march. Keep posting. Your info is worth gold
I'm glad we have someone like you Alex, showing people how to break in to the Hotshot business, I had someone talk to me about it a few minutes ago and I sent him several of your videos to watch. So if he likes them he just might become a TowPiglet fan.
I’m a cdl company driver. Your videos have peaked my interest. Enterprise lease. Trailer. I haven’t found a video on numbers yet. Thanks for taking the time and positive attitude
You've noticed a trend to begin Hotshot Trucking you need shovel full of Cash. Around $10-$15,000 just to get your first load legally. Most of this will be for your insurance down payment. The rest will be filling Fed and State paperwork, setting up LLC, and of course putting down payments on Truck and trailer equipment. If you're lucky you'll have about $2,000 remaining to buy gas for the first haul and hope the factoring company pays before you run out of fuel cash. If you hustle, the opportunity is there and you can make it back in the first year but prepare to throw cash on a fire when you first start.
I see a trend,, Money money money that trucking companies have to pay out .. You should also talk about insurance i know it is extremely expensive even with no violations on your driving record..
I got a quote from Progressive. One truck. One trailer. No general business insurance. One million dollars coverage in a year. Full replacement for truck & trailer. $200k (if I remember correctly) load replacement, up to two separate loads per trip. No steel hauling (apparently that raises rates). $24k per year premium. 😮
With backing up as far as possible, you make other truck drivers who are running hard (late, and short on hos) think theres a spot, and that's a big reason truckers dislike hostshots. Just a heads up. We can all work together as long as we communicate.
Great 3-part series, thanks for that. I noticed you mentioned a hotshot as part of the initial process needs to obtain a medical card. If running on a non-CDL license is a card still required? Last but certainly not least, thank you for displaying the American flag at the end of this series :) ...
Can you tell me what kind of insurance will be needed for hotshot? If I finance my truck and trailer and use someone else’s authority do I still need to have my own separate insurance? If so what would that be? Also, if you lease from enterprise what insurance do you still need to pay even if you opt to pay the $225 for their insurance?
Excellent set of videos, appreciate your work. I know there are many variables, but I am looking for a ballpark number for startup costs. Already have CDL, really interested in down payment for purchase/lease truck 5500 RAM (can be usual % of cost) lic, inspections, equipment/chains/tiedowns. Enclosed 3 car hauler etc... For example would 15k be in the range to start up or would in take more? I know it would be difficult to itemize out....just looking for a ballpark range.
Aren't you required to have your DOT #'s and Company name on the side of your truck? Also, I didn't think your straps are permitted to be on the outside of the rub rail on your trailer?
Quick question: I’ve got my truck and trailer and I’m a month or so I’ll be ready to start my HotShot. So can I get my DOT/MC number and still lease on to a company ?
Tow Piglet, thank you so much for your videos. There is a wealth of info here. I am looking into getting my feet wet in this business. I commented on a video by Dream Inspired who suggested I check out your videos. I have an '01 2500HD ext. cab long bed 6.0 Vortec and a 16' equipment trailer. I do not have a CDL yet and would like to operate without one at first. My truck is 9,200 GVWR. I'm wondering if my current truck and trailer rig is enough to get started just to try things out. I think my small rig makes me exempt from SOME of this stuff. Also, I'll be operating out of VA and in VA I believe a Sole Prop. does not require a business license. I know I need to do a ton of research here to be legit, which is what I have been doing, but any insight or pointers you could give me would be MUCH appreciated!
Number one thing to do with your rig would be to check the gcwr. That will give you the rating on what that truck is designed to haul with truck and trailer combined. My guess would be that you cannot hold much more than a 10000 pound trailer with that truck
What if I’m new to trucking and have no reference. Be honest, am I just gonna be wasting money for all those things that I apply for and buying a truck cause the broker will refuse to load me cause I’m new into the trucking business.
So when you are up and running and the last thing you have to do is the reference page, call some brokers on loads you may be interested that you might want to book. Regardless of whether you book the load or not, towards the end of the phone call say something along the lines of, As you can see we are just starting out, and before I forget I wanted to ask, is it ok if I add you to my list of references?
Tow Piglet thanks for the response man you are doing a great job on your videos very helpful information . I'm getting my insurance Monday so I'm close to getting my authority certificate and being active .
Call Kristin with WalkerHughes insurance, 317-520-4172. Out of Indianapolis and specializes in commercial/trucking companies. She can write through over 60 companies.
@@TowPiglet I went with OOIDA. After a lot of research and checking, they were the cheapest with the most. Generally I don't look for the cheapest price. I also look for value. What am I getting for my money.
Why do you talk about paying 10% to a Dispatch? But then talk about you have to have the load board? I'm going to guess, your still having to find a lot of loads yourself?
I enjoy looking for my own loads but I don't have to, my dispatcher finds better paying loads than me very often but sometimes I already booked something else and can't take both and can't cancel on the one I booked
Follow the steps in the videos 1. Go be a driver for someone else first to see if you like it 2. After 6-12 months ago them if you got your own truck would they load you and for what percentage? Then go lease a truck but a trailer 3. After 1-2 years working there if you want to open your own company or maybe the old company fires you then you open your own company and get your own mc#
Id MUCH rather look at you or the truck or ANYTHING then the fastfoward video of you driving. It makes me sick. FYI has anyone else said that or am I just getting old? lol.
Totally forgot in to say in step 2
TAX ID number
Business bank account
A. MC#
B. USDOT#
C. BOC3
D. Insurance within 30 days
E. Make a Carrier Packet
*Letter of authority
*Insurance
*W9 - tax id
*5 references
F. Pay for load board
G. Factoring
Mandatory company audit in the first 18 months,
complete records check
KYU 60k+
Oregon
HUT
IFTA
Toll Roads - IPass/E-ZPass
Weigh stations - Norpass/PrePass/Drivewyze
Recommended
Business phone number
Business email
Business cards
Dropbox storage
Accounting softwate
I really do appreciate all this info. I drive for a trucking company (22 years). I'm about to start my Hotshot business in around march. Keep posting. Your info is worth gold
That was the first thing he said.
Do we need IFTA 26k or less
@@anthonyrizzo8145 no
Great info. How are you able to provide five (5) references if you have never delivered a load? Thanks in advance.
Piglet- thanks for doing these videos. Anybody who hotshots owes you a fee for saving them thousands of dollars. I appreciate it bro.
I'm glad we have someone like you Alex, showing people how to break in to the Hotshot business, I had someone talk to me about it a few minutes ago and I sent him several of your videos to watch.
So if he likes them he just might become a TowPiglet fan.
TP your vid's are full of so much info, it's like drinking water from a fire hose!! But I'm so thirsty. Keep it up! Thank you so much!
I’m a cdl company driver. Your videos have peaked my interest. Enterprise lease. Trailer. I haven’t found a video on numbers yet. Thanks for taking the time and positive attitude
This is really a jewel💎
We appreciate you my guy thank you for wisdom and patients to make such great content. 👏👍👍👌
Good information. Thanks for the post.
You've noticed a trend to begin Hotshot Trucking you need shovel full of Cash. Around $10-$15,000 just to get your first load legally. Most of this will be for your insurance down payment. The rest will be filling Fed and State paperwork, setting up LLC, and of course putting down payments on Truck and trailer equipment. If you're lucky you'll have about $2,000 remaining to buy gas for the first haul and hope the factoring company pays before you run out of fuel cash. If you hustle, the opportunity is there and you can make it back in the first year but prepare to throw cash on a fire when you first start.
I see a trend,, Money money money that trucking companies have to pay out .. You should also talk about insurance i know it is extremely expensive even with no violations on your driving record..
I got a quote from Progressive. One truck. One trailer. No general business insurance. One million dollars coverage in a year. Full replacement for truck & trailer. $200k (if I remember correctly) load replacement, up to two separate loads per trip. No steel hauling (apparently that raises rates). $24k per year premium. 😮
If you're a new carrier, how are you going to get 5 references when you're trying to book your first load? 🙂
Very educational Alex! just took notes and watched all 3 of your videos. Thanks for sharing these...
Good info thanks. Its incredible how much there is to hotshotting!
Thanks for the info lil bruh it was very helpful and thorough just got my dually now trying to put everything together
With backing up as far as possible, you make other truck drivers who are running hard (late, and short on hos) think theres a spot, and that's a big reason truckers dislike hostshots. Just a heads up. We can all work together as long as we communicate.
This is one been looking for.
Thank you answered so many thoughts.
#stayonthegrind
Awesome info man! I may stop in one of these days and pick your brain if that’s ok. I live in Fort Worth area
u r awesome man, that's lot of infos, may God bless u.
You’re the best bro thank you man.
Great 3-part series, thanks for that. I noticed you mentioned a hotshot as part of the initial process needs to obtain a medical card. If running on a non-CDL license is a card still required? Last but certainly not least, thank you for displaying the American flag at the end of this series :) ...
How am I suppose to have references for the carrier packet if I'm new to hotshotting.
You'll need to do a few loads on your own, before you get set up with a broker.
You can do a few loads from Ushipping
Thank you for your time and insight.
Tremendous info....thank you Alex!!
Again excellent info !! Well done!! Liked !!
Thanx info well appreciated!
Can you tell me what kind of insurance will be needed for hotshot? If I finance my truck and trailer and use someone else’s authority do I still need to have my own separate insurance? If so what would that be? Also, if you lease from enterprise what insurance do you still need to pay even if you opt to pay the $225 for their insurance?
Weight Distance tax for New Mexico. Anything over 26K
Keep on making them
Not a rig driver, but to help a hotshot.
Lmao you probably blue ball so many sleep truckers backing all the way in. *tired driver* "wheres a spot....oh here we go..ah damn it ya got me!" haha
I'm looking into doing hotshot. Thanks for that info
Thanks again!
You need a business bank account. Not just a bank account
You only have to file IFTA if your over 26K
Very good info i have a b class cdl im working on my A class cdl looking to get into this
Excellent set of videos, appreciate your work. I know there are many variables, but I am looking for a ballpark number for startup costs. Already have CDL, really interested in down payment for purchase/lease truck 5500 RAM (can be usual % of cost) lic, inspections, equipment/chains/tiedowns. Enclosed 3 car hauler etc... For example would 15k be in the range to start up or would in take more? I know it would be difficult to itemize out....just looking for a ballpark range.
Yes 10-15 is usually the ballpark start up cost
@@TowPiglet Thank you.
Aren't you required to have your DOT #'s and Company name on the side of your truck? Also, I didn't think your straps are permitted to be on the outside of the rub rail on your trailer?
I have all my numbers on a magnet that I remove before I record my videos as for the straps technically yes but I’ve never had a problem
@@TowPiglet no more than 50% of the rub rail can be covered by straps or tarps
guess it's hard to get references if you haven't done any driving before
Tryin stay at step 1&2
Have a question which truck is your best hotshot truck or more reliable truck to you?
Do you need a e logbook for hotshotting? Non-cdl driver wise.
Dude I'm really considering starting hot shot. I'm a FedEx CDL driver. Do you recommend I drive with a hot shot company first to learn the ropes?
You said you need 5 references. But what If you're just starting out?
Start with 3, one of them can be TQL because they work everyone. But update them constantly to make sure your best people are on there just in case
Tow Piglet what’s TQL?
Total quality Logistics
It's a huge brokerage
Quick question: I’ve got my truck and trailer and I’m a month or so I’ll be ready to start my HotShot. So can I get my DOT/MC number and still lease on to a company ?
No it's either lease on or have your own.
Since you have your own you can find a dispatch service that will find loads under your mc
Hey man any way to get in contact with you? I have a couple specific questions about hotshots
Tow Piglet, thank you so much for your videos. There is a wealth of info here. I am looking into getting my feet wet in this business. I commented on a video by Dream Inspired who suggested I check out your videos. I have an '01 2500HD ext. cab long bed 6.0 Vortec and a 16' equipment trailer. I do not have a CDL yet and would like to operate without one at first. My truck is 9,200 GVWR. I'm wondering if my current truck and trailer rig is enough to get started just to try things out. I think my small rig makes me exempt from SOME of this stuff. Also, I'll be operating out of VA and in VA I believe a Sole Prop. does not require a business license. I know I need to do a ton of research here to be legit, which is what I have been doing, but any insight or pointers you could give me would be MUCH appreciated!
Can you send me this in an email, towpiglet@gmail.com. Writing a long response works better in email than here
@@TowPiglet Email sent! I should've just emailed in the first place, lol sorry.
Number one thing to do with your rig would be to check the gcwr. That will give you the rating on what that truck is designed to haul with truck and trailer combined. My guess would be that you cannot hold much more than a 10000 pound trailer with that truck
Is it the same process to start your company with own ops truck driver ?
What’s a factoring company
When you say get insurance you mean commercial insurance?
For the business, vehicle, both?
How many insurances are there?
A lot and depending on experience and MVR can cost quite a Bit. Best to research the insurance options and your down payment amount.
What’s a good factoring company??
What if I’m new to trucking and have no reference. Be honest, am I just gonna be wasting money for all those things that I apply for and buying a truck cause the broker will refuse to load me cause I’m new into the trucking business.
It'll be really tough in the beginning for sure, just depends on how hard you are willing to work
Tow Piglet
Thanks for being truthful. I’m guessing I be on the road for one or two weeks on in just like truckers....
Do they hastle u at weigh stations
What's the required insurance to have when applying for mc & dot#?
1mil liability 100k cargo
Do you not have to have your DOT and MC numbers posted on the truck ?
I do, they are on a magnet that I take off when I record
What would you do in the reference section of your carrier packet if you're a new entrant?
So when you are up and running and the last thing you have to do is the reference page, call some brokers on loads you may be interested that you might want to book. Regardless of whether you book the load or not, towards the end of the phone call say something along the lines of,
As you can see we are just starting out, and before I forget I wanted to ask, is it ok if I add you to my list of references?
Tow Piglet thanks for the response man you are doing a great job on your videos very helpful information . I'm getting my insurance Monday so I'm close to getting my authority certificate and being active .
tracy baker no problem best of luck
I thought you had to display your info on the side of your truck?
I do it's on a magnet
I forgot to add that on part 2 owner operator
Is alat to cover to be a company owner
Can you recommend a good factoring Co.?
They all basically work the same, main thing is try to negotiate the smallest percentage
What is the black "box thing" attached to the front of your grill?
That a towel that I use to cover up my license plate
Oh. Lol. I enjoyed your videos they are very informative. I live in middle Georgia. You have got me wanting to put my f250 to work.
@@rtoddedge9783 best of luck if you have questions my email is in the description
Are u getting fuel surcharge as well with the loads
No
I lable myself a waiter cause i take my own order and get my own food case they try that hr ly wage shit on me
I think you did not mention UCR annually.
Dang really, I’m making a new series soon but I can’t believe I forgot that
@@TowPiglet you got to love you tube and the community that has formed.
What’s UCR for and approx how much is this annually?
What kind of insurance do I get and where should I go?
Most new companies get progressive
Call Kristin with WalkerHughes insurance, 317-520-4172. Out of Indianapolis and specializes in commercial/trucking companies. She can write through over 60 companies.
@@TowPiglet I went with OOIDA. After a lot of research and checking, they were the cheapest with the most. Generally I don't look for the cheapest price. I also look for value. What am I getting for my money.
Why do you talk about paying 10% to a Dispatch? But then talk about you have to have the load board? I'm going to guess, your still having to find a lot of loads yourself?
I enjoy looking for my own loads but I don't have to, my dispatcher finds better paying loads than me very often but sometimes I already booked something else and can't take both and can't cancel on the one I booked
How do you go about finding a legit dispatcher?
That’s tough, trial and error unfortunately. Try one company if you don’t like start searching for another
I just want to get into this
Follow the steps in the videos
1. Go be a driver for someone else first to see if you like it
2. After 6-12 months ago them if you got your own truck would they load you and for what percentage? Then go lease a truck but a trailer
3. After 1-2 years working there if you want to open your own company or maybe the old company fires you then you open your own company and get your own mc#
Are there any companies you might be able to recommend out of Ohio?
Id MUCH rather look at you or the truck or ANYTHING then the fastfoward video of you driving. It makes me sick. FYI has anyone else said that or am I just getting old? lol.
I have to agree with you
How many years have you been hotshoting?
3.5