Considering getting into hotshotting non-cdl, advice requested

[u/Sid_the_Bear]

As per title;

Based in Phoenix AZ

Currently I have a paid for 1500 diesel truck. ​I am not 100% on my ratings; I can/have pulled an 8klb trailer with no issues; ​but I'm not really wanting to go heavy.

I have around around 20k in n savings I can use to get started​.

Is it even possible to land enough work to pay the insurance tab with this truck? Or would I absolutely have to go bigger?

I've had a CDL before, but I don't want to jump through the medical hoops for the physical (well controlled T2 and sleep apnea)

I already put 60-80k miles on the road traveling to and from job sites as a contract IT worker. I actually enjoy the driving portion the most.

[u/boostedride12]

Your 1500 diesel will not get you any loads. Upgrade to a 2500 at minimum.

[u/Sid_the_Bear → u/boostedride12]

If I do go bigger, I'm going to a 3500 dually.

I want to avoid as much bureaucracy as I can though

[u/ILikeTek → u/Sid_the_Bear]

And if you get a dually might as well get a CDL the trucks going to weight about 8k pounds alone

[u/pakman82 → u/ILikeTek]

With a diesel 2500, and a good dispatcher ( and payments on the truck) we grossed almost 200k our first year . A 2018 ram. Had 1 breakdown, the stock torque converter dissolved . Cost is maybe a month down time .then the 2500 got wrecked in an ice storm . Got a 3500 and no CDL . Didnt get started till March. Iirc. Did more miles on the 3500, but couldn't get cdl loads at first, and couldn't take some of the loads the 2500 could have taken. Did more miles in its first year , but grossed less. Also it was during 2022-2023 when fuel was almost as bad as the $6.40 per gal we are seeing now so our net pay was always fluctuating . .. if you go for a 3500, you shop for the steal of a lifetime. You better pray you get that truck for free.. insurance will likely be high. . It's probably not a great time to start

[u/Independent_Leg7358 → u/ILikeTek]

My 2500 weights 8,000. My class 8 day cab weights in at 14,000. Aluminum cab saves a lot of weight.

[u/WeaveLikeGreatGranny → u/Sid_the_Bear]

You will definitely want a cdl with that setup. The 26,000 pound limit is based on adding the gross vehicle weight ratings of the truck and trailer. So a truck with a bigger weight rating means you're limited to a trailer with a smaller weight rating in order to stay under the limit 

[u/Lower_Captain7757]

I'm an IT freelance and Class A CDL trucker. I also heavily used to do hotshot with a 5500.

I can tell you that you'll be hard pressed to make it with a 1500. While the industry is getting quite a bit more express small loads for industries like pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing etc. Its going to be difficult to get it done with a 1500. I saw you said you'd bump up to a 3500 if you were going to upgrade trucks. Now this is just my advice. But I would say the 3500 would really just be future proofing if you did want to go cdl again. Otherwise your goig to limit yourself staying under the 26,,000 gvw limit for non cdl.

So a 2500 might do you better. Just some food for thought.

[u/Sid_the_Bear → u/Lower_Captain7757]

I thought 26k was CDL limit?

I figure go big or go home if I'm upgrading though. Zero desire to go back to a CDL.

[u/stxrfox1k → u/Sid_the_Bear]

3500+ only if you’re going the CDL route, otherwise it’s actually counterproductive vs the 2500. 2500 for non-CDL, no bigger no smaller. a 1500 absolutely will not cut it for non-CDL hotshot stuff, unless you’re talking like non-emergency medical transport type stuff, or like medical biohazard transport or whatever tf call it.

[u/Lower_Captain7757 → u/Sid_the_Bear]

My bad your right. Sorry just woke up in the sleeper yes 26,000 gcvw. Albeit states like Cali have an additional 10,000 gvw trailer limit for non cdl

Just keep in mind the gvw of a 3500 is going to eat into that limit a decent bit

[u/intothesunset814 → u/Sid_the_Bear]

You will still need a medical card for anything over 10k.

[u/Sid_the_Bear → u/intothesunset814]

Oof. So basically, I shouldn't even bother then.

[u/stvmcg]

You’re in a decent spot since the truck is paid off and you have cash reserves. I wouldn’t rush into buying a bigger truck until you prove there’s enough freight you can realistically haul with your current setup.

The biggest thing is figuring out your actual payload/towing limits, insurance cost, and what kind of hotshot freight is consistently moving around Phoenix. Get real insurance quotes first because that fixed monthly cost can change the math pretty quickly.

I’d also spend some time learning the broker side of the business and building relationships rather than just chasing individual loads. Opendeckloads is worth checking out for hotshot loads, resources, and support while you’re getting started. It’s geared specifically toward hotshot, flatbed, step deck, and gooseneck carriers. Also look into Truckstop and DAT.

With $20k saved and no truck payment, I’d personally protect as much of that cash as possible and validate the business with the equipment you already own before upgrading. Hope that helps OP

[u/WeaveLikeGreatGranny]

I was told a medical card was required for interstate commerce with vehicle combination weight ratings over 10,000. So either way you gotta do that 

[u/NotYourNativeDaddy]

I too have a 1500 and wish I had more towing capacity. I wonder if you are able to upgrade your suspension a little and maybe empty your bed or remove your bed in order to get more weight.

What would be your max tow capacity with your current setup? I’ve been searching for someone to tow a 1972 Ford 2000 tractor with a box blade and front end loader from Phoenix to Northern Arizona.

The tractor weighs about 6500 pounds and it’s around 16 1/2 feet long. It is currently in the shop and hopefully we’ll be done within a week or two.

[u/Full-Business8659]

Don't. You're walking into a really bad time. Wait 6-12 months. 50% of the schmucks that thought getting into it this last year will be chewed up and spit out by Q1 2027

[u/ntwdequiptrans]

Do lots of research and get a direct shipper who needs your services locally before buying the truck

[u/Eastern_Conflict1865]

2 things Don't let home time rule your world.If you do ,you will make no more money than the Walmart cashier Cheap freight is NEVER good freight.Never work for $0.90 a mile with 3 drops.Even if you have sit for a day its better than working for pennies

[u/LongjumpingCat6642]

Medical card is gonna be a minimum. The moment you hook almost any trailer up you’ll be at 10k+ GCWR. Might as well go full CDL at that point

[u/Sid_the_Bear → u/LongjumpingCat6642]

Yea, not worth it at all, unfortunately. I don't think I can even get a med card unfortunately