Ok have another question What the Heck is a Hotshot?

[new_guy1969]

Trying to identify what type of truck is needed on pickatruckload.com to see if they have any for straight trucks and wondering what they are referring to as a hotshot? Is that a strait truck?

[Orangetxguy]

A "Hotshot" can be just about "Any" vehicle. In general business terms, a Hotshot is an "Express Delivery". "Hotshot" is used widely today, but 25 years ago, it was a term almost exclusive to the oilfields, and the service companies doing business with the Oil companies.

Here on the Gulf, everything from Sedans and 15 passenger Vans, all the way up to Heavy-haul tractors pulling RGN's, are classified "Hotshot". Plenty of starving Owner/Operator's here on the Gulf Coast right now, due to the fact that the majority of the "Hotshot" companies have signed on to many trucks, to chase to little freight.

[Uturn2001]

Like many terms in the trucking industry, the term HOT SHOT can mean something a little different depending on who you talk to and which company you are talking to.

Back in the 80's (perhaps sooner) Hot Shots were either large pickups, straight truck chasis with a 5th wheel, or small tractor (usually single axle) pulling either a small van (about horse trailer size) or a small flat bed or drop deck trailer. Often these vehicles would have some type of small sleeper on them to allow compliance with DOT regs.

Today, more often than not, straight trucks with sleepers are called expediters and cargo vans are often called sprinters.

[GMAN]

Hotshots are primarily 1-ton pickup trucks or single axle tractors that pull a trailer. Most will pull a goose-neck, wedge or flat bed trailer. I seem to see most pulling a wedge or goose-neck. A wedge trailer is primarily used for transporting vehicles or trailers. The wedge can accommodated up to 3 or 4 vehicles, depending on size. Most trailers will be the smaller cargo type, but I have seen RV trailers on a wedge. Most of these pickups will have small diesel engines, usually Cummins, and have either an automatic or straight shift transmission. Straight shifts seem to be more popular because the automatics don't hold up as well according to some to whom I have spoken. There are a few carriers who lease on hotshot drivers, such as Jones Motor Company. They did have 2 divisions who leased on drivers, Hotshot and Tracer. Jones may have some photos on their website. Some Hotshot owner operators will have their own authority. A friend of mine has 2 or 3 hotshots in his fleet as well as a couple of class 8 trucks. He rarely hauls anything on his trucks but vehicles.

[Jackrabbit379]

A hotshot is an electronic cattle prod. :P

[GMAN]

Actually, you warm some whiskey and pour it in a shot glass. :wink:

[serbie]

Actually, you warm some whiskey and pour it in a shot glass. :wink:

hahaha

[Ian Williams]

I came across this a few weeks ago:
http://www.successfulexpediters.com/AboutExpediting.htm


Its a great into to the world of Expediting.

[ssoutlaw]

Hotshot = newbie driver just out of school and knows everything, a lot on CAD....lol

[CJSamples]

Hotshots are almost always 350's or 3500's pulling gooseneck or wedge trailers. Now the term "Bigshot" has been associated with a single axle trailer pulling a gooseneck.
I have been pulling a 34 footer with my Dodge for the last 18 months. I found a really good price on a used expeditor truck with sleeper. Removed the box, shortened the frame, added a fifth wheel and now have a Bigshot. Found a medium duty step deck to pull and now enjoy having that sleeper as well.
My first three weeks have been great and made more by staying out longer due to having the sleeper.

Chris

[GMAN]

Chris, what type of truck did you convert? Most hotshot people I talk with seem to prefer Dodge 1 ton dually's. I believe you are much better off with the sleeper. I met an owner operator out of Texas several years ago who had a Ford 1-ton dually with a small sleeper. He said that he did pretty well. I believe he leased to a small carrier near his home in Texas. I don't recall whether he pulled a step deck or gooseneck. It seems to me as though he had about a 45' step deck.

[silvan]

a hotshot?

That's one of those wands the bull haulers use. Shoot a bull in the balls with a hotshot to move him into the gates, and if that doesn't work, run.

Or something like that.

[CJSamples]

Gman,
I converted a FL70 Expeditor over to a bigshot rig. I left a little room on the frame for a small dry box. I usually have to carry some small packages with the A/C units I haul and it would be much easier than trying to tarp the odd shaped items.
The Dodge 3500 having the Cummins engine seems to be the truck of choice as it can be upgraded and modified to make some serious power and its very "shade tree" friendly. I have spoken to a few people that have put a million on those engines as well.
Ford had a great engine in the 7.3 and it seems to be a close race with the Dodge.

I found a 49 foot Stepdeck on Ebay and jumped on it and still need to go pick it up. It is out in Dallas and I have been too busy with my little 34 footer to go pick it up. I have been running this setup for a month now and I am doing pretty well with it. My 34 only has a GVWR of 15000 so I have kept my payload below 10K. The bigger trailer has a GVWR of 20K so I will be able to hold a good bit more.

I get thru Tennessee all the time, you might have seen my truck.

Chris

[GMAN]

I recall seeing a red Dodge dually a few times. I don't remember the name on the doors. Perhaps that was your truck? I have a friend of mine who is thinking about selling his wedge and 50' step deck that he as been pulling with his Dodge trucks. He has been finding it difficult to find good drivers and is tired of the extra expense. I think he may sell all of his hotshots. He has a 379 Peterbilt, step deck and 9 car high mount that he mostly pulls himself. He put air ride on one of his Dodge's. He bought a Ford dually a year or two ago. He didn't keep it long. He said that the Power-stroke didn't pull as well as the Cummins. He liked the Ford because of the interior. It had all the bells and whistles.

[thooks]

CJ Samples,

Can you email me or PM me? I can't PM you because I don't have 51 posts.

email me tdhooks at gmail dot com


thanks.