Hot Shot Trucking

No, the term hot shot trucking isn’t a nickname for a smooth operator!

In trucking, the term hotshot commonly refers to either the truck or the freight, often times both. Hotshot freight is hauled for a single customer and needed in an expedited fashion. These are not the standard class-8 big rigs that you might see on the road. Instead, hot shot loads are hauled with super duty pickup trucks.

Hot shot pickup trucks typically have four axles and range from the RAM 3500, Ford Super Duty models like the F-250, F-350, F-450 and the Chevy Silverado 3500HD.

Hot shot trailers can range from 20 feet to over 40 feet of usable deck space. This is a perfect solution to ship equipment, automobiles and machinery.

At Latitude Freight, we can haul hot shots that are typically 10,000 lb or lighter.  We use the GMC F-250 truck and our trailers have a 30 foot goose neck trailer attached. So the truck and trailer combined doesn’t require the driver to have a CDL if the driver hauls truck loads that are under 10,000 lb that is. However, it’s best to have a CDL regardless.

There are several advantages to being a hot shot owner-operator and much of them revolve around saving money in comparison to hauling flatbed freight.  One perk is being able to pick and choose the loads. Also, being able to create your own schedule. Flexibility is key.

It’s important to us at Latitude Freight that once the driver delivers a load to the destination, we can work on back hauls. Our job is to try and find something for the trip home via the load board. This is where hot shots and freight really come in handy.

For more information, contact us today!