What’s a Hot Shot Trailer?

Hot shot trailers are specialized trailers used for transporting small loads that need to be delivered within the shortest time possible. Standard loads utilize a semi truck and trailer for transport. Hot shot shipments are pulled by a medium to heavy duty truck with a specialty trailer for that purpose. Below are types of trucks and trailers that make hot shot trailers. Truck Types Used For Hot Shot Trucking

Unlike regular heavy load shipping services that are offered using trailers, hot shot trucking is carried out using medium duty pickup trucks that are fitted with a trailer at the back. These pickup trucks can either fall under class 3, 4, or 5. Below, we will discuss each class and give examples of pickup trucks that fall under that category.

Trailer Types Used For Hot Shot Trucking

Pickup trucks used for hot shot trucking don’t come with a trailer attached to them. The hot shot trucking company chooses the trailer to be fixed at the back of each pickup truck depending on its capabilities and the type of loads it will be transporting. Below are some trailers used in hot shot trucking.

Bumper Pull Trailers

These trailers transport loads that are 10,000lbs or less. Anything past that weight will cause them to lose stability. They’re less expensive and shorter. They’re common among civilian drivers because they’re easy to use.

Gooseneck Trailers

Gooseneck trailers can accommodate heavier loads than bumper trailers. They’re more stable and have a tighter turn radius. With that said, these types of trailers require a special hitching system.

Tilt Deck Trailers

As the name suggests, these types of trailers tilt at an angle that makes loading heavy materials easy. Afterward, you can turn them flat for transport. With tilt deck trailers, you don’t have to spend much energy on lifting. They require high maintenance because they have a hydraulic system that requires a regular change of oil and filters. Besides that, the moving parts need to be oiled to avoid rusting.

Lowboy Trailers

These lowboy trailers transport the heaviest oversize loads. They have a low center of gravity, meaning once they’re detached from the pickup truck, they lay flat on the ground. They’re ideal for shipping tall loads without exceeding the legal height limits. On the downside, they have a small deck space, meaning you can’t transport many heavy loads per trip.

Dovetail Trailers

These are suitable for transporting equipment with wheels such as cars, wheel loaders, and backhoes, among others. However, the back hangs low, making them low to the ground when transporting anything through steep inclined areas.

Hot Shot Trucking Cost

Hot shot trucking rates vary from one shipment to another. This is because the specifications of each shipment are different. Below, we will discuss some factors that influence hot shot trucking rates.

Types of Service (Door-to-Door or Terminal-to-Terminal)

Door-to-door hot shot trucking services are more expensive than terminal to terminal hot shot trucking services. Door-to-door hot shot trucking is when the driver picks up and delivers to your doorstep and you don’t have to go through the hassle of picking them from a terminal near you.

However, door-to-door hot shot trucking services don’t apply to every client because some areas have narrow roads, making it hard for hot shot trailers to turn or have high traffic. Here, it’s better to opt from terminal to terminal because it will be much easier for you to pick up the freight near you.

Size and Weight

Hot shot load pricing varies because the larger and heavier the cargo is, the more you will have to pay. Hot shot trucks have a weight limit. A load that is heavier and larger will require a truck with a high weight capacity, thus costing more. This also means that the driver might have to transport your load by itself because there’s no room to accommodate another load. Here, your load is treated as a full truckload meaning you will have to pay for all the space.

Make and Model

If you’re transporting a car or any other wheeled machinery, the make and model will influence the hot shot trucking rates. Luxurious, classic, and custom vehicles will cost you more than regular cars. The latest models of any vehicle or heavy machinery will also cost you more. This is because if anything happened to them, it would be expensive to insure them.

Season

Hot shot trucking services are more expensive during harsh weather and holidays. This is because the loads need extra care because they can be damaged by rain and snow, for example. In that case, the company has to invest in waterproof tarps and the insurance cost is much higher because of the risk. On holidays, a lot of drivers are on leave and the few that are available will charge more to get your load delivered safely and on time.

Condition of the Machinery or Vehicle

Hot shot trucking services for machinery and vehicles that can be driven into the trailer are affordable compared to inoperable ones. With inoperable machinery and vehicles, extra resources such as cranes and batteries for jump-starting are needed, thus increasing the trucking rates. Heavy loads will also require to be loaded by professionals, meaning you will have to cater for manpower.

Location

Hot shot trucking rates are influenced by where the load is picked up and delivered. Some pickup and drop-off locations are far from the highways giving drivers a hard time to access. In this case, you will have to pay more because it’s also hard for drivers to maneuver. In such areas, it’s better to request terminal-to-terminal hot shot trucking services and you can pick your load near you.

Type of Truck

Hot shot trucking services are offered using class 3, 4, or 5 pickup trucks. The major difference between these trucks is their weight limit. This means the truck used will influence the hot shot trucking cost. A class 5 hot shot pickup truck will cost you more than a class 3 pickup truck, for example.

Route

The road leading to the pickup and drop-off location will influence how much you pay for hot shot trucking services. For areas that don’t have good infrastructure, you will have to pay more because drivers have a hard time accessing your load or delivering it. If you’re in an area with poor roads, it’s better to take your load to the nearest city with good roads if you’re not prepared to pay an extra fee.

What’s the Difference Between Hot Shot Trucking and Expedited Shipping

Hot shot trucking and expedited freight are similar, but done in different ways. Hot shot trucking and expedited shipping will get your goods delivered within the shortest time possible. However, these are two completely different services because of the size of trucks used to transport the goods. When it comes to hot shot trucking, class 3, 4, or 5 medium-duty trucks are used for transporting time-sensitive loads. Expedited shipping on the other hand uses straight trucks or vans to deliver goods to the desired location.

Advantages of Hot Shot Trucking Services

Hot shot trucking services are mainly used by individuals who don’t want any inconveniences. For example, a construction site might need some materials delivered urgently to keep working or an electrical company might need to have some cables or any other device delivered urgently to avoid a power outage. Hot shot trucking is the way to go for anyone who needs to transport a load that might cause inconvenience if not delivered urgently. Below are some of the benefits of hot shot trucking services.

Fast

The main benefit of hot shot trucking is that your equipment will be delivered within no time. Hot shot trucking services are popular because goods are delivered on time despite the tight schedule. A professional hot shot trucking company will go over and beyond to avoid inconveniencing you.

Affordable

Hot shot trucking is an affordable way to transport loads that need to be delivered within short notice. Because you’re transporting a small load on a small truck, it means there’s not much overhead to cover.

Smaller loads

Unlike other shipping options, hot shot trucking allows you to transport a small load without having to wait for people with smaller loads to fill a truck before the shipment is dispatched. Regardless of how small your load is, it will be transported by itself.