Hotshot Connect Forum :: looking for info

mickey22

Hello,I am thinking of going into business and have some questions.1st I have a 3/4 ton 4x4 new will that be enough to begin 2nd what would be the best trailer I was thinking about a flat bed maybe 40 ft.3rd with the fuel prices and the cost of everything that goes with this business is anyone making any money? Thanks for any input Mickey

bth9461

I started with a 3/4 ton, some others have also, but unless you have some specific light weight freight to haul, it is a bad move. I would sell the truck and go to a Medium Duty or heavier 9( at least a dually). If you use that truck then a tri-axle trailer will help keep some of the weight off the Drive Axle.

The best time to ditch that truck is before you have a bunch of towing miles on it.

If you are planning on running 100% Brokered freight it will be tough to make much money with a 3/4 ton. Lots of competition for small good paying loads. That 3/4 ton will box you in, with little load flexiblity and trailer type.

The business looks much easier from the outside. Look at the Customer base you want to serve, and let that determin the truck/trailer. Don't try and make the customer fit your Truck/trailer.

Brian

Tom Cobb · Site Admin

Mickey

Spend some time reading on the forum. A lot of info here, especially in the startup section.

mickey22

Thanks I appreciate you takin time to get back to me .I am researching this now .I used to run a oversize load escort service and I liked that just hard to get return runs.I think I will get a larger truck.Has anyone had any trouble as far as 1 tons or should I bump up even more like a small single axle tractor.also I heard that you can not use crew cab as a sleeper is that right? Thanks

Tom Cobb · Site Admin

As for sleepers it has to be DOT legal and a crewcab doesn't make it. Recently a company built a CC sleeper but DOT disapproved it. I heard later but have not verified it that they approved the sleeper for the 4500/5500 CC trucks.

On the trucks....based on past experience of operating a 3500 dually Chev Duramax, they do well but the whole gig is that to do good on loads you really need to move to the 4500/5500 series trucks if you want to run for example in the 35K GCWR range. A 3500 series truck just is stretched way beyond it design capability for starting and stopping and especially stopping. It will wear the truck out really fast loaded in that range.

There has been a lot of discussion on here about this issue. Brian Howard, TG Pilot, and Phil have got lots of experience in this area and have made some good posts.

There is nothing wrong with a single axle class 6 or 7 and I would look seriously at some used ones from Ryder and Penske and the other leasing companies. You can get some good deals and with extend warranty you would have a good truck.

If I were to start up again a medium duty is the way I would go. If you are going to move up in a truck go to what you want for the loads you want to haul. It is the sensible and most cost effective thing to do. A medium duty truck is usually cheaper than a 3500 truck.

BTW there really is no such truck as a 1-ton. Technically that would really be what is now called a 1/2 ton.

First thing is to decide what you are going to haul and where you intend to find the loads. Write all this info up in your business plan. DO NOT make a purchase until your business plan is written in detail. I recommend getting someone to review it...maybe a couple of someones.

bth9461

TC, has it nailed pretty well here. Think this through before you jump in. All the truck option above a 1ton are better choices than a dually in my opinion. How big a truck depends on the trailer and freight, and fuel milage. Do you need off road delivery capability? Then a 4500/5500 GM or Dodge 4x4 might be best. Gross weight of 55k then a S/A (FL,ect...) would be best.

Really look at the Market needs, to decide what truck and trailer you want. Set up the business well and then you can run with the right setup for several years without having to re-invest money into the business.

Plan well.

Brian

mickey22

I have been searching trucks and I like the 4500 chevy with the duramax and a allison. (My wife sells chevy).I am thinking that I need to have sleeper capacities I don't need to be in a motel everynight .What are your thoughts on this truck maybe a regular cab with a aftermarket sleeper.Seems like I would be spending alot of money for a crew and not be able to sleep in the thing.Also there has been some mention on here about 4x4 is this a good feature to have or will it cause problems later? Thanks again!!

bth9461

Depending on your off road requirements the 4x4 would be nice to have. I was on a soft sand and very little gravel acces road at a delivery yesterday. Without my 4x4 I would have got stuck. In the north I think it is very important to have the 4x4 for the winter. If you stay in the South it is not as important, unless you get off the pavement.

If you want some heavier capacity the 4500/5500 4x4 is a good option. You won't get the longer engine life of the class 7/8 heavy trucks, but they have their place.

I know someone that has 2 GM 4500's and he must have about 150k on them now. He likes to keep the gross weight below 38k, I would think a 5500 might handle maybe 42k gross weight. Over that then I would suggest class 7/8 FL's ect.....

These trucks ride much rougher than 3500's with all spring suspensions though. I think a Reg Cab with a 48-60" sleeper is a nice option if you add as much Air Ride as possible. Seats, rear axle, maybe air ride hitch, and Cab & front axle. The last 2 might not be availble, even after market, I have not checked.

One other thing I would add is some Aux/power so you don't idle your engine life away with these trucks.

Think your options through carefully and pick the best setup you can from the start, it is much harder to change once you start.

Brian

Tom Cobb · Site Admin

There are pickup sleepers that sit on the bed that are legal. Check Cowtown Sleepers.

http://www.cowtownsleepers.com/

Many sleepers will work on the 4500/5500 trucks. Check with the sleeper manufacturers.

This is the crewcab sleeper that was in the other post on here that was NOT approved by DOT. I understand that the 4500/5500 CC sleeper was approved however.

http://www.crewcabsleeper.com/

mickey22

Thanks guys your help as given me a lot to look over but I have some time and I want to do it right Im not afraid of work but would like some comforts and it also saves money.Thanks again

LBZ

If you live in FL I would skip the freight market and go straight to cars. Either with a one ton and an enclosed two car hauler for the really specialized(& higher paying) market or a med. duty with a 3-4 car wedge. Every time I call on freight down there you have about 3 seconds to decide if you want it or not, otherwise they will give it to someone else standing in a very long line.

You already have an in with your wife working at the dealership....The car market seems to ride a wave of sorts, but right now the used market is picking up. As well if you go with the wedge set up, make sure you get the trailer package (center rail with winch) to be able to load boats and rv's.