What to Know About Hot Shot Hauling and How Sparrow Can Help

Knowing which hauling options best fits your load can be tricky, mainly when so many options exist. Likewise, Sparrow offers many services. Among our other heavy haul, flatbed, and expedited options, we’re able to source drivers of 40-foot hot shot trailers for smaller loads and tighter deadlines. What’s a hot shot? Below, we’ll give a brief hot shot 101 and how Sparrow can help you.  

What is Hot Shot? 

Hot shot trucking (AKA hotshot) is an expedited operation with no set lanes. This service involves hauling smaller LTL (less than truckload) loads, usually to a single customer or location. Hot shot loads are generally delivered using medium-duty consumer trucks pulling flatbeds or other trailers. It’s common for hot shot hauling jobs to be distributed through load boards, providing opportunities for owner-operators looking for their next load or a chance to make additional income. 

Hot shot trucking does not require a Commercial Driver’s License for loads under 10,000 pounds. However, all drivers must still obtain a Motor Carrier Authority Number and be approved to drive by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Furthermore, interstate carriers that don’t lease their hotshots to a business or broker must obtain a US DOT number and have a minimum liability insurance policy of $750,000. 

Hot shot niches 

Hot shots are typically used to deliver preventative items to places like factories, power grids, or oil pumps.  

Other areas of use include: 

• Commercial construction machinery 

• Livestock 

• Vehicles  

• Retail 

• Utility 

• Agricultural equipment 

Advantages of using hot shot  

• Lower cost of fuel 

• Minimized wait times between deliveries 

• Greater flexibility to work around emergency circumstances 

• Drivers are more experienced with various load types 

Truck types used in hot shot hauls 

Hot shot combination units fall into the Class 3-5 range, giving them gross weights of between about 10,000 and 26,000 pounds. 

• Class 3: Class 3 medium-duty trucks have a weight limit of 10,001-14,000 pounds. The most common class 3 trucks are the Chevrolet Silverado 3500, the GMC Sierra 3500, the Ford F-350 or E-350, and the Ram 3500. Basically, these are the standard heavy-duty consumer pickup trucks. While it’s common for class 3 trucks to be used by contractors and last-mile delivery drivers, these trucks can also be used for other logistics purposes. 

• Class 4: Class 4 medium-duty trucks have a narrower weight limit of 14,001-16,000 pounds and are still classified as non-commercial vehicles. The most commonly used are the Chevrolet Silverado 4500, the Ford F-450, and the Ram 4500.   

• Class 5: Class 5 medium-duty trucks have a weight limit of 16,001-19,500 pounds. Standard models include the Chevrolet Silverado 5500, the Ford F-550, and the Ram 5500. Class 5 also houses the lightest commercial trucks category, like the Kenworth T170, Peterbilt 325, and International TerraStar. 

Trailer types used in hot shot hauls 

• Bumper pull: Bumper pull trailers are the most used trailers and are generally shorter and less expensive. They’re easy to use, so they’re popular. However, they are only suitable for lighter loads of less than 10,001 pounds as they may sway or lose stability with heavier loads.  

• Gooseneck: Celebrated for their stability, gooseneck trailers have a tighter, wider turn radius than bumper pull trailers and can usually carry larger and heavier loads. However, gooseneck trailers may require specific hitching systems. 

• Tilt deck: Tilt deck trailers (as the name suggests) tilt at an angle for loading heavy cargo more easily and then flatten for transport. Although tilt deck trailers relieve some heavy lifting, they require more maintenance because their hydraulic systems require filter and oil changes.   

• Lowboy: Lowboy trailers have a low center of gravity, making them ideal for the heaviest loads, and lay flat on the ground when detached from the truck. Lowboy flatbed trailers can also be beneficial for transporting tall loads because since they’re lower to the ground, they can assist in clearing certain height restrictions. A significant drawback to the lowboy trailer is the minimal deck space. Although they can take on heavier loads, drivers can’t haul as much at once, so there is a trade-off to consider.   

• Dovetail: Dovetail trailers are affordable and popular, making them easier to resell when no longer needed. However, they hang low at the back of the trailer, making it difficult to haul anything up a steep incline without dragging.  

How Sparrow can solve your hot shot needs 

As we said up top, Sparrow can source drivers of 40-foot hot shot trailers, but we’ll take things a step further by coordinating the pick-up and transport of the load from almost anywhere.  

Why choose Sparrow over all your other choices? Sparrow Logistics’ foundation is built on the core pillars of honesty, respect, positivity, and the integrity to follow through on our promises. These values are consistently embodied in our leadership and extended to every person who comes alongside us, including our clients, carriers, and employees.    

Contact us today to learn more about what Sparrow can do for you!