Hot Shot Trucking Is Skyrocketing in Popularity. Here’s How to Get Started
If you’re a truck nerd like me, you’ve definitely noticed a huge uptick in the prevalence of ¾-ton and 1-ton pickups hauling loads on gooseneck and deckover trailers. These are commercially marked trucks, and what was fairly uncommon a few years ago is now a regular sight at truck stops and interstates everywhere.
These trucks are Hot Shots, a type of trucking that uses light commercial grade trucks for hauling a wide range of items. You might find agricultural equipment, oil rig equipment, jet engines, or empty shipping containers on a Hot Shot, and these are just a small sample of the things they haul. Basically, since they are much less expensive to own and operate than large semi-trucks, they are a cost effective solution for small and medium loads.
Hot Shot trucking isn’t going anywhere; if anything, it will only get bigger. Let’s dive in and take a look at the movement.
What is Hot Shot trucking?
So, what exactly is Hot Shot trucking?
Hot Shot trucking is built around the concept of expedited transportation of smaller, time-sensitive loads that uses the aforementioned medium-duty trucks (F-250, Ram 2500, etc) and trailers. Unlike traditional freight hauling using tractor-trailers, Hot Shots haul smaller shipments picked up from one specific location and dropped off at another specific place. It makes for a handy way to move materials and equipment that doesn’t really require a full size semi-truck, or that needs to be moved to places where trucks have a harder time accessing. A ¾-ton pickup with a 35’ long trailer is still much more maneuverable than a semi-truck tractor with a 45’ or longer trailer.
Some of the most popular industries for Hot Shot trucking are oil & gas, ag, construction, and delivering automobile and even powersports equipment (UTVs, RVs, and boats).
What Are the Popular Truck Types Used for Hot Shot Hauls?
Commercial-grade, medium-duty trucks are the most common trucks for Hot Shots because they are so readily available and accessible. A custom medium duty truck like Class IV Freightliners run well into the six figures, but a good F-250 will cost a third of that (and can be titled and registered with no sales tax in Montana; more on that later).
A ¾-ton truck is adequate for most of the loads hauled by Hot Shots.
How About Trailer Types Used for Hot Shot Hauls?
Unless they are hauling custom freight (namely vehicles), the most common trailers for Hot Shots are standard duty gooseneck flatbed trailers. These are readily available, easy to come by, and accessible for most private owner-operators.
There are specialty trailers made for hauling Amazon vans, small RV camper trailers, and automobiles, but these are almost exclusively towed by custom operators who don’t do any other kinds of transport.
Pros and Cons of Hot Shot Trucking
It sounds like a lot of upside, but it isn’t all upside for Hot Shot trucking. There are some real downsides for the men and women who try to tackle this competitive market.
High operating costs: the initial investment in truck and trailer are definitely lower than on full-size semi-trucks, the operating costs and overhead are still high. The fuel economy on medium-duty trucks is better than semi-trucks, but not necessarily per ton, per mile. If a modern semi-truck is getting between 5-7 MPG for a truck that weighs 80,000lbs versus a truck getting 10MPG but only weighs 30,000lbs, the semi-truck is actually getting much better economy per ton, per mile.
Inconsistent work: Hot Shot trucking is almost exclusively involving time-sensitive loads. Since it is kind of niche work, work can be unpredictable. There may be high peaks and low valleys of work, but the bills never stop coming in.
Long, long hours: the loads are by-nature time-sensitive. They need to get there when they need to get there, so it can add up to long days and nights.
Wear and tear on vehicles: these trucks are not made for the same day in, day out wear of hauling like semi-trucks are. And neither are the trailers.
Competition: healthy competition is great, but the competition is absolutely fierce in these circles.
Limited load capacity: a ¾-ton truck with a flatbed trailer is great for hauling hay bales and other assorted items, but this combo can’t come even close to a semi-truck. Hot Shots are very limited in terms of load carrying capacity, but again, they aren’t really competing directly with full-size freighters.
Regulation and Licensing: Hot Shot truckers must comply with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, and some states require commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) depending on the weight of the truck and load.
Legal Requirements for Hot Shot Trucking
Carrying on from item #7, let’s talk about the legal requirements for Hot Shot drivers.
Here’s the thing: there is no legal requirement to have a CDL to buy a ¾-ton truck (or even a fair amount larger). With that said, though, to operate it commercially, you must have a CDL. Generally, a Class A CDL is adequate, but make sure to check with your state. Remember, it is all about your domicile state rules. You can tag your ¾-ton Hot Shot truck through our Montana LLC registration program, but the state rules by which you operate for licensing depends wholly on your domicile state; i.e., where you have a license.
Here’s a brief overview of the other fairly standard requirements of all commercial drivers, which Hot Shots will also follow:
Department of Transportation (DOT) Number: Required for vehicles over 10,000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Motor Carrier (MC) Number: Needed for interstate commerce.
Insurance: Minimum liability coverage as mandated by federal and state regulations.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD): Required to track hours of service.
Hours of Service Compliance: Adherence to federal regulations on driving time and rest periods.
Vehicle Inspections: Regular maintenance and safety inspections.
HAZMAT Endorsement: If transporting hazardous materials.
Medical Certificate: DOT physical exam clearance.
The Dirt Legal Solution
Look, starting any business is hard work and it’s especially hard when taxes cut deep into your margins. And starting a Hot Shot business is definitely not cheap! A new truck will run into the tens of thousands. According to KBB, a 2024 Ford F-250 starts at just shy of $47,000, while the XLT package begins at a shade over $53,000. Realistically, you will be in way over $60k-$70k for a well-equipped new F-250 (don’t even think about doing this job with a gasser, either). In my home state of Kansas, the sales tax on that purchase runs around the 10% mark meaning I would be in for six to seven thousands dollars in sales tax alone for the truck.
I object, your honor.
That is seven grand that can go into the trailer, or savings, or anywhere besides taxes. Our Montana vehicle registration service is the ticket to these savings. And yes, we do trailers, too. When a good trailer runs upward of twenty grand, this matters.
Traveling nurses and frequent travelers can save big on vehicle registration with a Montana LLC, thanks to zero sales tax and fewer hassles. Instead of navigating state-specific requirements and inspections, Montana’s flexible LLC registration allows you to register vehicles fully online, skipping the DMV lines and high fees. From cost savings to avoiding smog checks and state inspections, this option makes managing vehicle registration easy—no matter where your work takes you.