Introduction

Hot Shot Trucking is a line of trucking and specialized freight that uses medium-duty trucks (typically class 3-5) with flatbed trailers to transport time-sensitive, urgent, or specialized loads that don’t require a full semi-truck. 

Hot shot trucking is often an accessible way to join the trucking industry because instead of a full semi, it only requires a pick up truck and a flatbed trailer. There are two types of hotshot, NON CDL and CDL. NON can not carry more that 26001 lbs of combined weight, while CDL can scale much more depending on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the truck and trailer.

You may consider hot shot trucking because it offers the chance to make more money than traditional local delivery, with lower cost operations than other types of trucking that require full semi-trucks. It’s also faster, always needed, and great for partial loads, giving you flexibility and opportunity in a market that is seeing oversaturation. 

We sat down with owner of HotShot USA, David Campos, who has not only been in the industry for 10 years, but has made it his mission to share his knowledge on the industry and Hot Shot trucking to those interested in entering the market. “I had lots of time driving across the U.S.,” he told us, “I would take notes…keeping notebooks throughout, and created my book.” His site provides resources, promotions, connections, and more, where he even offers his eBook Hot-Shot USA- Guide to Hotshot Trucking, a comprehensive look at the world of hot shot trucking for those that want to pursue it. 

David Campos, Founder and Owner/Operator of Hot Shot USA

David’s Background and Experience

David has always been one to make use of a business prospect. “If I see an opportunity in the market, I take it,” he told us, which has brought him an expansive career from selling self-defense products, Sci-Fi collectibles, to then freight—first driving semis in Fort Worth, TX (which was “not so fun,” he claimed), to then hot shot trucking, which he’s found success in building a business out of. 

He saw the potential in hot shot trucking from a friend, and how much money could be made in the matter of days. Though people at the time were what he described as “guarded about the industry, knowing the gold mine it could be,” David sought to do the opposite, taking notes on everything he learned and what he thought was most important for people to know when starting out.

Since then, David has amassed a network “for Drivers, built by Drivers. We are an integrated community of social media, websites, publishing, training and marketing. We administrate approximately 30 Social media groups, websites, platforms to provide our 500k plus members a safe, monitored forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences and advice.” His network provides their members and those in the Industry, every service, product, and company that is needed to get started, rolling and stay on the road. 

Today, the industry is a little more saturated, and the market a little less glamorous, but David still had more than enough advice to share about the hot shot business and what’s needed for your success. “The best thing I can do is give people the right advice, making sure they’re informed with the right equipment and knowledge,” he acknowledged, feeling a little guilty that his becoming a resource contributed to this oversaturation, “people will enter the industry no matter what.” 

Expert Advice for Success

Safety First!  

When it came to starting a hot shot business, David relied on his connections and himself to gain the knowledge he needed to be a successful owner-operator. There was no question that he wanted to share this knowledge with others in order to instill a safe and profitable, productive space within the hot shot industry.

Above all, our industry expert emphasizes proper training: "One thing the industry needs is proper training. Many get on the road with no idea of safety and security. Everything has consequences if you're unprepared." This means researching all the necessary equipment for you and your truck, as well as keeping up with any compliance updates or new regulations that apply to you and your company. The consequences of not being safe can trickle down—and if you’re caught being unsafe, it could cost you your business. 

For example, being unsafe may mean hits against your license, which brokers will see on your record and then may prevent them from wanting to give you good loads, or any at all. “[A broker’s] business is highly competitive,” David learned, “so they want good drivers repping them and doing their job.” Consequences may include increased surveillance on your transport, or even increasing your insurance rates. “Better to be compliant,” David concludes. 

Maintain a Good Reputation

Knowing how to stay safe and secure on the road by learning the ropes of hot shot trucking prevents you from dangerous situations that might impact your license and credibility as a driver, ultimately allowing you to stay on the road and continue making money. Maintaining good relationships with brokers, other drivers, and compliance terms all save you time and money in the long run, providing you with important insight, and people who’ll have your back in booking you loads, answering questions, or teaching you new tips along the way. 

“Broker connections are everything–if they trust you, they’ll come to you first,” David has experienced, giving a tip with this as well: “If brokers know someone they’ll call you up- best loads come from lists or emails. You want to be on those!” By maintaining a friendly rapport with brokers and a high safety standard for your business, good loads may come your way. 

Manage Your Costs Effectively

What makes a load good? David finds that many people starting out in the hot shot industry don’t know, causing them to take on loads that barely make them a profit, or even anything at all. This is how oversaturation has hurt the market, he claims, “new drivers sign on, spend money on trucks/trailers, then have to make money but have no experience in how to vet loads, what costs are involved…brokers may take advantage of them, knowing that a new driver will take anything they see.” 

To avoid this, and to be able to make your own informed business decisions, David suggests to “pick [the] right loads—loads you can make profit on—manage your costs, stay within your own lanes, and know that there’s a chance more loads will get added.” This may include taking on partial loads, he says as well, which poses risk but when chosen carefully can still provide good profit. 

To manage your costs, consider the following when booking a load: 

• Rate per Mile– find more insight below.

• Fuel Costs

• Route– is it most effective? Does it give good probability of picking up a new load once you complete this one?

• Business costs– will this help cover some of your operational costs?

Calculating if your load is profitable or not can be as easy as finding your cost per mile. Our blog post Key Financial Variables in the Trucking Industry: A Quick Guide to Trucking Costs walks you through how to estimate yours today. 

Investing in Yourself Promises Good Returns 

David knows that success comes from learning— whether that be through listening to other’s experience and expertise, or investing in ongoing education. “You can’t have too much experience,” he says, “things always come up.” Investing in yourself and your learning can be anything from keeping up with regulations and researching industry news, to speaking with other drivers, to attending courses or conferences to expand your knowledge. You want to be prepared for anything! 

HotShot USA and David remain a staple in the hot shot community, and he wants to expand even more so that people can grow their careers with the right mindset. What’s next for him? “I’m working on more training, having a school and courses and training members and pooling resources. My long term goal is to have regional hot shot summits in Houston and Dallas, TX,” he says. 

The incentive for keeping up with all of this? “More success means more work,” David promised. And we all know that more work is good for business. 

Getting Started: Essential Requirements

Want to know what it takes to start hot shot trucking? Here’s a quick check list to learn what might be best for you:

Non- CDL vs. CDL 

• Non-CDL operators can haul up to 10,000 lbs

• CDL operators can haul up to 26,000, but are subject to stricter regulations

Equipment and Paperwork Needs: 

• Pickup Truck (typically Class 3-5) 

• Flatbed Trailer 

• Safety Equipment (straps, tarps, etc.)

• GPS tracking system

• Documentation: 

  • DOT Number

  • MC Authority 

  • State-Specific Permits (find your state’s requirements here)  

• Insurance: 

  • Commercial Liability (protects you from property damage claims and more)

  • Cargo Insurance (protects your shipment from loss, theft, etc. while in transit)

Now let’s dive deeper and look at the business expectations of hot shot trucking:

Business Formation and Licensing

You’ll start by registering your business entity—typically as an LLC, which provides liability protection. For these you’ll need to obtain a DOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and your Motor Carrier (MC) Authority. This process includes: 

• Filing BOC-3 forms for process agents in each state you'll operate

  • This gives you blanket coverage across state lines, allowing legal documents to be accepted anywhere by your transportation company. 

• Completing a DOT safety audit within your first 12 months

  • This includes an inspection and evaluation of your safety practices and compliance to regulation by looking at your documentation and history. 

• Securing USDOT and MC numbers

  • These help identify you on the road, on the phone with someone, and more. 

• Obtaining International Registration Plan (IRP) plates

  • You pay fees based on how many miles you drive in each jurisdiction. To apply, you’ll need to provide proof of residency, documentation like an emissions certificate, and pay registration fees. 

• Registering for International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) if operating across state lines

  • This simplifies the taxing of fuel across state/country lines so that the differing amounts are properly paid. 

David notes: "Everything in this business has consequences. Better to be compliant from the start." Ensure all systems meet FMCSA requirements and industry standards so that you can operate without worry. 

Remember, proper preparation prevents many common startup pitfalls. Take time to thoroughly research and understand each requirement before making major investments. Consider joining industry training programs or seeking mentorship from experienced operators to smooth your entry into the market.

Financial Preparation

Developing a comprehensive business plan that outlines your startup costs, projected revenue, and operating expenses so you know what you’re getting into financially. This should include:

Initial Capital Requirements:

• Down payment for equipment: Many drivers suggest that this can range between $1,000 and $5,000 for proper equipment. 

• Insurance premiums: This is typically $3,000-5,000 down. 

• Licensing fees: This varies by state and gross vehicle weight, ranging from $180-$750. 

• Operating reserves for first 2-3 months: According  to Upscale, hot shot trucking monthly operating costs can range from $1,500-$2,500

Hot shot trucking owner-operators should ideally have $15,000-$30,000 in reserve when first starting their business to cover unexpected expenses. 

Secure financing through:

• Traditional bank loans

• Equipment financing

  • This allows you to purchase equipment through a loan or a lease. 

• SBA loans

  • Small business loans offer competitive rates and more flexible terms than other types of loans. 

• Personal savings

• Alternative lending options

Equipment Selection

Consider and choose the appropriate equipment based on your intended cargo and routes:

• Heavy-duty pickup truck (¾ ton or 1-ton recommended)

• Appropriate trailer (typically 40' gooseneck or flatbed)

• Safety equipment (straps, chains, tarps)

• Electronic logging device (ELD)

• GPS navigation system

Building Business Relationships

As our industry expert emphasized, success heavily depends on relationships. Start by:

1. Researching and registering with reputable load boards

2. Connecting with freight brokers in your preferred lanes

3. Joining industry associations and online communities, such as one of David’s Facebook group HOTSHOT TRUCKING with 164k members.

4. Establishing relationships with maintenance providers

5. Building connections with experienced drivers

Finding and Booking Loads

Understanding Load Sources

Load boards serve as the primary marketplace for finding freight, but as our industry expert notes, "the best loads come from established broker relationships." While load boards provide accessibility, developing direct relationships with brokers and shippers often leads to premium, more reliable opportunities.

Strategic Load Selection and Maximizing Profitability 

When evaluating loads, consider:

Rate per mile: Calculate your operating costs per mile and ensure adequate profit margins. Factor in deadhead miles, fuel costs, and potential return loads, so you can calculate your cost per mile strategy. 

Route optimization: Look for loads that position you for your next opportunity. Our expert emphasizes "staying within known lanes and knowing there's a chance to get loads added."

Partial vs Full Loads: Modern hot shot trucking often requires combining partial loads. While this increases complexity, it can maximize revenue per mile. However, as our expert cautions, "you must take partials because rates are so low, but you are always taking the risk."

Key Success Factors to Building Broker Relationships

"Broker connections are everything," shares David. To build or strengthen those connections, prioritize:

• Clear communication with brokers

• On-time deliveries

• Clean safety records

• Quick problem resolution

• Careful documentation

• Strategic route planning

• Reliable tracking systems

• Proper load security

Our expert reminds us: "If brokers trust you, they'll come to you first. The thing about load boards is that a lot of times they are bottom of barrel loads,” meaning you want a broker to think of you first for those good ones. 

Industry Expert Insights

Current Trends

The market has evolved significantly. As someone who’s been in the business to watch it fluctuate and change over time, David highlights the tips necessary to operate these days: "Originally loads were booked at full truck price. Now partial loads are essential because rates are lower, but you can maintain good per-mile rates through smart load combination."

Common Challenges

1. Market Saturation

   1. More people entering the industry means more competition when booking loads. 

2. Rate Fluctuations

   1. You need to be able to take on rates that can change at any time, creating a varied amount of income. 

3. Operating Cost Management

   1. It typically costs between $1,500 and $2,500 per month on average to cover operating costs including fuel, maintenance, equipment, and more. 

4. Weather-Related Delays or Equipment Failures

   1. Things always vary in this market, and it is best to make sure you’re able to take on these changes or adapt when necessary. 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Taking unprofitable loads

  • Make sure to calculate a load's RPM to ensure that you’ll be making money after everything’s factored in. 

• Inadequate financial preparation

  • Research startup costs, operating costs, and know the risks that present themselves within hot shot trucking. 

• Poor broker relationship management

  • Remember David’s words: “staying in touch creates more opportunity and insight into the market and profitability of things!” 

Success in hot shot trucking requires careful planning, strong relationships, and ongoing adaptation to market changes. With proper preparation and management, it offers a viable path to entrepreneurship in the transportation industry.