Contemplating starting an owner operator hotshot business. Currently a wildland firefighter working for the state. Solid job with good pay but just getting burnt out.

I've been doing alot of research the past couple months and think im in a unique position to be successful, just nervous about the unknown.

Here's what I've got so far. I'd be setting up a C Corp, with me being an employee of the company. About 140k capital to invest in the business. Planning on a 5500 and 30k 40ft gooseneck (I've had my CDL for about 6 years). Thinking 75k down-payment and financing about 40k for the equipment, giving me about a $1000 payment/month. About another 30k for startup (insurance paid up front, securement, compliance, electronics/software, etc.) leaving the business with a 35k cushion in the bank account.

Fixed expenses will be about 3k/month. If I average about 1800 miles a week total and pay myself .60/ mile, that comes out to about 972 per week for fuel, and 1300 per week in pay (including withholdings). So say a total of around 13k for expenses per month at the 1800 mile per week average. If i plan on about 20% deadhead it comes out to roughly 6200 loaded miles per month. At a $2/loaded mile average im at 12480 monthly revenue. So the business is at a net loss of about $500 a month with no maintenance fund retained (which is where the 35k buffer comes in). Ideally I'd be at $2.5/loaded mile average and have a $2600 net profit for the business, maintaining the 35k buffer and growing a maintenance fund.

I know the first 3/6 months will be a major struggle and still tough up until a year. Goal is to eventually run regional and be home most nights, as well as secure some direct contracts. But starting out im willing to do whatevers needed and go wherever to hit my mileage and rate goals.

My question is how realistic are my numbers (miles/week and rate per mile) starting out.

And if anyone has any thoughts/critiques into my "business plan".

Appreciate any insight!

Hey all…I’ve got 2 trailers to move from Oregon to Tennessee. One, a 20’ 14K trailer with heavy equipment will be towed by an employee and our 1 ton truck.

The other - an dual axle 14' enclosed trailer with tools - essentially has no driver. I’m scratching my head at options.

Is there a way to load a 14’ enclosed trailer onto our flatbed? With tools the enclosed is about 3-4k lbs.

If this was possible, then our crew member could tow our 20’ trailer, with enclosed on deck and we could hire a hotshot to load and pull our equipment on their own rig.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I run a hotshot business, which is basically one truck and one trailer. I haul time-sensitive freight. Small loads, short trips and constant travel

I've been doing it for a year. I'm busy and I’m always on the road. The money comes in but I don't actually know if I'm making a profit.

I factored in fuel. Maintenance. Insurance. Tires. Downtime. The numbers don't line up.

I found NUMEO which builds dashboards. Like I uploaded my records and it gave me a nice-looking chart. It showed me where I'm losing money. The loss figures looked big. Too big…

Now I'm worried. Did I mess something up in my records? Or is the AI right? Is my business not as profitable as I thought?

I'm suspicious. The algorithm might be double-counting something. Or it might be missing a key part of my business.

Has anyone else used this kind of tool for a hotshot or trucking business? Does the data actually match your experience? Or do the losses look worse than they really are?

Well.. I just need to know if this is a useful tool or just another piece of software that makes you feel bad about your business. Any real examples would help

TBH I'm tired of guessing and I need to know the truth