Hotshot Connect Forum :: Anyone doing this with a single rear wheel?

novadmax

Maybe this is silly but is there any potential to make a living with a single rear wheel. Ive got an 05 dmax 3500 srw.

bth9461 · Last edited by bth9461 on Sat May 31, 2008 1:53 am; edited 1 time in total

I started with a 3/4 ton and a 29' 14k GN trailer. The limiting factor is the drive axle, it limits the trailer you can pull. If you do not have many miles on it I would suggest changing trucks, I had to after putting 194k on mine. It cost me 13k to get into the Dually. It would have been better to bite the bullet early, instead of adding 130k commercial miles on the 3/4 ton.

If you stay under 26k weight it can be done, but you need enough light weight freight to make it pay. Look at what your income for under 26k, and if you can make it work then the truck could work. I found it too hard to make it under 26k.

Brian

Tom Cobb · Site Admin

I agree with Brian. You can transport trailers and do good with the SRW but for freight it will limit you. If you find a few niche customers that have loads to fit your equipment you could do well.

vva.patriot

Hey I was doing it with a srw 1ton with no problems.

bth9461

It can be done it just puts 1 more limitation on you, the best time to adjust your equipment is before you start. It makes it easier if you are set up right to start with.

If you use a SRW look at a tri-axle trailer for over 26k work, if you are looking at under 26k then a SRW with a tandem axle trailer will be fine.

The important thing is to match the equipment to the freight. Really look into what type of rate you might be able to get with the equipment you are planning to use. Plan well before you invest in equipment.

It is not easy to make it under 26k with just Brokered Freight, and I would NOT recommend over 26k with the SRW, but others might. You will be really pushing your truck, the tri-axle will help to keep some of the weight off the drive axle.

The biggest difference I noticed in the Dually was cornering with a load in the Mountains, the stability of a Dually is that MUCH better. At 26k+/-. If I was a RVer I would do it with a Dually also, because of the stability.

Brian

rabid nite

to those in the hotshot trucking business, what your start up cost ,
consider the insurance ,an the cargo ins , what have you came to the conclusion ,an were you bonded if you didt have ins, how or what kind of advice you all have to offer me,in starting or is there any information ,that i have not thought off ,ive check with progressive insurance an felt they were to priceie , i know to be expected ,,but i do understand the cost of the ins an reason for it,any info you all have would be cool to hread about,thank you

Tom Cobb · Site Admin

There are several threads here that discuss all the start-up issues. Look thru the forum and read to your hearts content.

The info is all here so go for it. Welcome to the forum.

bth9461

If you get your own authority, you can't avoid the insurance, you need it first to get the authority from the Feds. If you lease on to someone it will cut your insurance cost. Hard to find a good lease deal with a pickup though.

Assuming you have a truck/trailer, expect to 1-2k for misc stuff(straps/chains/binders/saftey equipment,ect...), and another 1-1.5k for legal/plates/fees, 500-2k for insurance startup. Moblie computer/aircard/printer 700-1000.

Progressive is about the least expensive, most others will cost 1-3k more per year, also you will need 100k cargo insurance from another company, progressive only covers the 1mil liability Ins.

Read all the old posts, like TC suggested, more info there than we can cover here in a post or two. Then maybe some real specific questions.
Plan well before you leap.

Brian