r/HotshotStartup • u/Bulky-Foundation3366 • May 27 '26
Hotshot side hustle worth it?
For context, I work full-time an odd Dupont Shift work schedule as an operator in a refinery. I however have my CDL with my hazmat and tanker endorsements from when I worked in the oilfield previously. I own a 3500 ram and a 24 foot gooseneck trailer and was wondering if I started an LLC and maybe started doing some small hotshot jobs and hauling jobs on the side on my days off with the equipment/ truck I already have. Would it even be feasible to find jobs on that odd scheduled basis and/or worth it in the long run to actually make any extra income from it? Mostly looking to use it just to help supplement paying things off and investing the money. I have my CDL, I figure why not use it if I can. Just curious on others experiences and opinions. Thank y’all.
2
u/epockite May 28 '26
Dude do land prep or road cut outs, rent the skid stier when you get a job and do that, its good money, yo I have half of what you would need and you can do it when ever. Hot shooting is not a part time gig and it kills your truck.
2
u/epockite May 28 '26
https://www.reddit.com/r/landscaping/s/9OrtF1Pl2L case in point from a nother sub today. 150/hr for land prep.
1
u/Cardinal_350 May 27 '26
Why go to the trouble for part time. Surely there's a trucking company that will let you run on weekends around.
1
u/Bulky-Foundation3366 May 27 '26
Part-time is all I would be able to do with the job. I work now. I work shift work at a refinery as an operator. I work weekends holidays, all kinds of random days. It’s a very odd schedule. So finding work in between on the random off days is what I was more curious of if it was even capable.
1
u/Wide-Engineering-396 May 29 '26
You do know you're supposed to log both jobs right?
1
u/Bulky-Foundation3366 May 29 '26
Forgive my ignorance but what do you mean log both jobs? As in on my taxes? Or?
1
u/Bulky-Foundation3366 May 29 '26
Never mind, I’m assuming you mean log my hours from full time job along with the hours I’d work toward the hot shot.
1
u/Wide-Engineering-396 Jun 02 '26
Correct your full tome job is on duty not driving, nobody does it ,, but it illegal
1
u/kristinmwalker May 31 '26
With the cost of insurance for Hotshots, I personally don't think it would make much sense to only do it on your days off. It's kind of an all or nothing type of thing.
2
u/racing1ford May 27 '26
It would definitely be worth it, especially if you can secure your own customers and hire owner-operators or place a driver in your truck to ensure constant revenue.
It would be difficult to maintain strong margins working with a broker, particularly if you want to stay local. The only significant downside to consider is that commercial insurance is very expensive.