In the U.S., there are more than 3.5 million people who work as truck drivers. In fact, one of the largest occupations in the United States is driving delivery trucks or large tractor-trailers.
The trucking industry is a vital part of the U.S. economy. Every day, trucks are transporting materials and products locally, within state lines, and across the country that helps produce a tremendous amount of commercial and economic stability in the nation.
However, some industries require smaller loads to be transported quickly, which means that they might require different services than those offered by traditional tractor-trailer trucking companies. For this reason, hot shot delivery has been increasingly common in the last several years.
What exactly is hot shot trucking and which industries most commonly call upon this service? Let’s take a look at what you need to know.
What Is Hot Shot Trucking?
Hot shot trucking involves transporting LTL (less than truckload) freights and loads. These smaller loads are usually delivered to a single location or customer within a specific timeframe. It is common for this type of delivery to use medium-duty trucks that are pulling trailers.
Some hot shot deliveries might only be going a short distance, while others might be traveling across state lines or even cross-country.
What Do Hot Shot Truckers Do?
Hot shot truckers are commonly freelance owner-operators who specialize in delivering time-sensitive, small loads within a certain timeframe. These freelancers typically own their own vehicles and find work through load boards.
However, freight and heavy haul companies might also offer hot shot services. For example, Patriot Freight Group has a flexible fleet that can provide a solution to your time-sensitive delivery needs. Whether you are looking for heavy haul or over-dimensional trucking services all the way down to hot shot services, Patriot Freight will likely become your preferred intermediary trucking service provider.
What Types of Industries Use Hot Shot Trucking?
A number of different industries utilize hot shot trucking services. This is the go-to solution for many businesses when it comes to quickly transporting a smaller load to any location throughout the country.
Some of the industries that utilize this method of transportation include:
- General construction
- Pipeline construction
- Oil & gas
- Manufacturing
- Military & government
- Residential & commercial construction
- Food & beverage
- Fire & rescue
It is common for hot shot truckers to haul heavy equipment, farm materials, machinery, and construction materials. Some companies are even certified for hazmat transport. This might include transporting chemicals, explosives, poisonous materials, and flammables.
Trucks Used For Hot Shot Hauls
There are a number of different trucks that are most commonly used for hot shot transportation. These are typically divided up into three classes: class 3, 4, or 5.
Class 3
These are medium-duty trucks such as the Ford F-350, the Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and the Ram 3500. With a weight limit of 10,001-14,000 pounds, these are typically considered to be basic heavy-duty pickup trucks.
Class 4
This class of medium-duty trucks consists of vehicles such as the Ford F-450, the Chevrolet Silverado 4500, and the Ram 4500. These trucks are still considered non-commercial even though they are heavier, and have a weight limit of 14,001 to 16,000 pounds.
Class 5
Class 5 consists of both some of the burliest medium-duty trucks and also some of the lightest commercial trucks. Carrying a weight limit of 16,001 to 19,500 pounds, common models include the Ford F-550, the Chevrolet Silverado 5500, and the Ram 5500.
Some of the commercial trucks that qualify as class 5 include the International TerraStar, the Peterbilt 325, and the Kenworth T170.
At Patriot Freight, our hot shot fleet consists of pickup trucks for small loads all the way up to a 40′ gooseneck trailer. This means that no matter what you’re moving, we can load up and move out quickly.
Trailers Used For Hot Shot Delivery
There are a number of different types of trailers that are preferred by hot shot delivery drivers. Let’s take a look at some of the most common options.
Gooseneck Trailers
These are a great option for stability, tighter turning radius, and limited swaying. Loads that are carried on gooseneck trailers are often going to be large enough to be considered commercial, meaning that you will want to hire a properly trained and licensed company for this job.
Bumper Pull Trailers
Bumper pull trailers are very common for both commercial drivers and civilian drivers. They tend to be shorter and often don’t require a Commercial Driver’s License because the combined weight of the trailer and the truck will likely be under 10,001 pounds.
Lowboy Trailers
This type of trailer offers the best stability when you are hauling the heaviest loads. This is because they have a low center of gravity. However, how much can be loaded on the trailer at one time is limited because of the lack of usable deck space.
Deckover Trailers
Deckover trailers are often used both recreationally and commercially. They are very suitable for heavier hot shot loads because of the lack of wheel wells and a wider deck.
Patriot Freight Group Is Here to Help You With Your Hot Shot Delivery Needs
When you are looking for a hot shot delivery service, it makes sense to hire a company that already excells at heavy haul and over-dimensional trucking. Our full-service trucking company specializes in helping clients find the most cost-effective solutions for any type of hauling job, big or small.
Are you looking for a trucking company that can help make a hot shot delivery anywhere between Florida and Alberta? If so, you’re in the right place! You can learn more about our hot shot delivery services here.
