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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.