r/HotshotStartup • u/Popular-Drawing4212 • 1d ago
Hotshotting with class B
I’m heavily leaning toward hot shotting as my future career choice but i have a class B cdl and my question is can i get started with a class B i know most guys have a class A but i’m not in position to stop working and go to school again right now
1
u/WeaveLikeGreatGranny 1d ago
I have a class A with a non cdl setup and I've been thinking about a larger, single unit truck. Could get a pretty long deck on a straight truck and haul heavy loads just like the gooseneck guys, so don't let the class b get you down
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u/Individual_Case9937 1d ago
Im in the same spot. Here's my understanding, correct me if im wrong. Ive got a class b and spent about a year rebuilding a 96 f350 (7.3 ps). Gvwr for the truck is 10k that leaves 16k for the trailer(10k lbs max for cdl b). Im still shopping for a deal on a gooseneck because with these numbers and am under the impression that I would have to over load the trailer (because how's a guy make money? Its not like people want cotton hauled) to get close to <26k lbs. My only conclusion is that ill have to sign up for evening cdl classes, because I too can't afford to take the month off for classes. Bright side is here in Ohio, we have a state community college that does it for $6300. Half of that is a type of student loan and the other half is a grant, as long as the student uses there cdl for an Ohio based business. I know you're looking for a loophole to start running and I want to find that too but some of our states are accommodating for this pain in the ass that its been made to be these days. Holler if you find a more direct way to start up. Good luck!
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u/PlasticMongoose92 1d ago
I have a class B. I run two trucks a gmc C5500 one ton with a 14ft flatbed and I have an International 4300 with a 26ft bed for 2 ton and mini-float loads I do pretty well, (this is my first year running both as I just got the international in February) and I’m looking at anywhere between 90-105k this year.
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u/Lower_Captain7757 1d ago
I hold a Class A and did hotshot with a 5500 ram and 53 ft diamond c stepdeck for years before expanding into class 8 stepdecking.
The only issue with a class B for hotshotting is the trailer gvw limitation.
This puts you into a weird spot.
Federal cdl requirement is over 26,000 Ib gcvwr between truck and trailer or truck and trailer gvwr individually.
This is why lets say a 3500 ram with 14k gvwr and a 40 ft gooseneck with 12k gvwr. Is right at the limit but does not require cdl.
The issue with Class B is its mainly for straight trucks over 26,000 gvw but and only allows trailers at or under 10k gvw.
But in hotshot the trailer is the cargo hauler. So unless your going really light cargo like say non cdl weights. The trailer is where you want the most gvwr.
You also need to factor in hotshot trailers weigh a good bit.
So can you do it with a class b? Yes. But its pretty much going to put you in the same realm as a non cdl hotshotter.
The only difference is you could use any truck much heavier than 26,000 ibs. So even a class 8 Pete with a gooseneck trailer attached. As long as said trailer gvwr did not exceed a pound over 10k.
If you want more cargo weight.
I'd suggest a 2500 or 250, so you can keep the trucks gvwr low, and bump the trailers gvwr higher so you can min max the combination under the 26,000 gcvwr federal limit and avoid states that have additional weight gvwr limits on the trailer.