Hot Short car hauling is a specialized service for car shipping that focuses on singular vehicle transportation. The bar for entry is very low, meaning that almost anyone with a single-car trailer can start doing it either as a full-time job or as a freelance operator. There are pros and cons to this, and in this article, we’ll be discussing what hotshot hauling is, how it works, and what its benefits and drawbacks are. Hope you enjoy the read.
How Hot Shot Car Hauling Works
Hot short car hauling is generally focused on hauling one or two cars at a time, meaning it's far more focused in its approach. There are fewer stops, no bouncing around from address to address, making it ideal for someone who wants their vehicle shipped ASAP.
On a basic level, hot short car hauling works the same way as with regular car shipping service - you book a service for your vehicle, it gets picked up, and then dropped off at its end location several days later. There is a flexibility to the service, as it allows for the shipment of larger vehicles, since hot shot haulers are generally reserved for 1 or 2 vehicles.
Factors Influencing Hot Shot Shipping Costs
Pricing for hot shot car hauling can be all over the map. Distance obviously matters, but it’s only part of the equation. Fuel prices, the type of trailer being used, the size and weight of the vehicle, and how quickly it needs to be delivered all factor into the final number.
If timely deliveries are essential, and if there’s additional equipment involved, or if the vehicle is high-value, then the costs will be a lot higher, though for expensive cars, the better the equipment, the better the results.
Comparing Hot Shot and Traditional Car Hauling
By far the biggest difference between regular car hauling and hot shot car hauling is the number of vehicles per run. Hot shot hauling generally focuses on individual cars, perhaps up to 3, depending on the trailer and the carrier’s capabilities, whereas traditional car hauling has a much greater car hauling capacity, sometimes up to 10 vehicles at once.
Traditional car hauling makes more sense if you are not in a hurry and need multiple cars shipped, whereas hot shot hauling generally focuses on speed and singular vehicles. With traditional shipping, you can generally get a better price because the carriers benefit from hauling multiple vehicles along the route you are going.
Hot Shot hauling is specifically booked for your needs, and the only reason the carrier is going your direction is because of your needs - meaning a higher price per mile.
Benefits of Hot Shot Car Hauling
Its singular focus is speed - if you are in a hurry and need a car shipped ASAP, then hot shot car hauling is probably the right choice for you. The waiting time for car collection is greatly reduced, and so is the delivery process, as the carrier has no extra stops - it's singularly focused on completing the job you hired them for. There’s also the matter of the personal feel and the personal approach that hot shot hauling brings.
Carriers in this type of work are generally people with a sense of duty; they are owner-operators who connect with the customer directly and literally see eye to eye because they are the ones you talk on the phone with.
Flexibility in Scheduling and Delivery
One of the biggest advantages of hot shot car hauling is the scheduling flexibility and the relatively low waiting time for car collection. It's great because the hot shot hauler is reserved only for you, there are no extra stops, meaning less waiting and delivery time.
With this type of hauling, the customer has a lot more say in when the car is collected, whereas with traditional car shipping, the customer waits for the carrier, unless they book a specialized service specifically designed for reducing waiting time.
Choosing the Right Trailer for Hot Shot Transport
The trailer type choice really depends on what is being shipped. Flatbed trailers are the standard with hot shot haulers because they are more abundant and are basically entry-level trailers for anyone who's hauling for the first time. They are a type of open trailer, making it suitable for larger, higher vehicles with little to no height restrictions, aside from DOT restrictions that may apply.
If you are shipping an expensive car that must be preserved at all costs, then an enclosed trailer is probably a better choice, though they are a bit more specialized and thus cost more. These types of enclosed trailers often have lifts, which allow for shipping modified, lowered vehicles with low ground clearance, reducing the risk of damage when loading and offloading.
Finding the Perfect Hot Shot Rental Company
A good provider will have insurance coverage, they will have open communication channels that they know how to use, and they will be upfront about what is possible for them, rather than promise things they cannot accomplish. What matters is experience, equipment, and reliability - just like with regular car shipping carriers.
Essential Regulations and Compliance
Just like with regular car hauling, hot shot car haulers are also subjected to the same state and federal regulations. They need to have permits, registrations, load records, as well as insurance for the load they are carrying.
Small hot shot haulers have to meet weight limits, licensing rules, and keep the hours-of-service regulations (you can’t be on the road for more than 10 hours, with a mandatory 8-hour rest period). In some cases, a CDL (commercial driver’s license) may be required
In any case, you need to always ensure that the car hauler you’ve hired has the proper paperwork to operate within your state and is legally capable of moving loads over state lines.
Insurance Requirements for Hot Shot Car Haulers
There are several types of insurance a hot shot car hauler needs to have, like the Primary Auto Liability insurance, Motor Truck Cargo Insurance, Physical Damage Insurance, and, in some cases, an MCS-90 federal compliance document. All of these insurances provide coverage for you, them, and any other affected 3rd party in cases of damages or accidents.
It’s also recommended that the hauler have a loading and unloading coverage for the loading and unloading process, which is generally the riskier part of the entire car hauling process. You should always ask to see proof of insurance from the carrier before booking with them, because hauling without insurance is not only dangerous, but it's also illegal and might leave you vulnerable in cases of damage.
Advanced Equipment for Hot Shot Transport
One of the biggest advantages of hot shot car haulers is the fact that they can specialize in specific types of car hauling. From damaged cars to luxury cars, sports cars, race-spec cars, and so forth.
- Every job is unique and different, requiring a different approach and a general understanding of the intricacies. But understanding alone won’t suffice - you need specialized equipment in order to get the job done properly. Here’s what sort of equipment hot shot transportation may require:
Lowboy trailers (Step-Deck) - Hydraulic Jacks
- Enclosed trailers
- Goosneck Trailers
- Wheel straps
- Tie-downs
- Digital route monitoring
- Specialized GPS
Types of Vehicles Suitable for Hot Shot Hauling
Due to size and weight restrictions, the usual loads for hot shot hauling are regular passenger cars, SUV’s vans, Off-road vehicles, 4x4s, motorcycles, and the like. Usually, the loads are limited to 1 or 2 cars at the most, which is great if that’s what you need, but not as great if you need to ship more cars at one time.
The usual suspects for car hauling are luxury cars, classic cars, one-of-a-kind vehicles that require a special touch and attention, the ones that need to be carefully handled, rather than speedily hauled.
Steps to Prepare for Hot Shot Car Hauling
Preparing the car for hauling is a good way to ensure everything goes smoothly. There are several things that are recommended that you do - for example, making sure the vehicle is clean on the outside and inside to make it easier for the car to be inspected for damage.
It’s also a good consideration to provide a spare key for the hauler and have all paperwork for the car available if needed. It's a good habit to have to remove any personal items from the passenger compartment and place them in an enclosed container in the trunk if need be. The car must at least have rolling tires and some brakes as it will make it a lot safer to work with.
Customer Considerations for Hot Shot Services
The first thing most people consider when going for hot shot car hauling is the time crunch - most people resort to this type of service because they can’t wait for the big haulers, which usually can take 2 weeks to arrive to collect a vehicle.
Military personnel on PCS orders often resort to hot shots because they simply don’t have the luxury of time, especially if their relocation is short-notice. Since hot shot hauling can be long-distance as well as short-distance, it's ideal for people who are in a hurry and need that flexibility.
Risks and Drawbacks of Hot Shot Car Hauling
Weather is by far the biggest drawback to any car shipping and hauling, its something which we can’t control and can generally cause problems and delays. It can also cause damage to the vehicle that is being transported, meaning its a good idea to considering booking an enclosed trailer if the weather forecast is particularly grim.
In terms of risk, hot shot car haulers are subject to the same regulations as bigger companies, meaning they cannot simply vanish with your vehicle. It is possible to stumble upon someone who is just starting out, meaning they don’t really have the experience with the job, and hauling a load along the highway is risky, and it does require knowing how to drive with a trailer, how to tie down the load, and secure everything before moving.
It’s also important to consider that the prices of hot shot car hauling can sometimes be magnitudes greater than traditional carrier services because it is so specialized, so you basically run the risk of paying.
Weather can also offset the benefit of hot shot hauling because it can cause a delay, lowering your delivery window.
Managing Inconsistent Income in Hot Shot Trucking
If you are an aspiring Hot Shot Car Hauler, it might be due to how easy it is to get into it; however, there is a downside to that - a lot of people also haul cars, making the market quite full. This means that you need to compete for jobs, making the initial barrier to entry quite high, at least in terms of income.
Customers will enjoy the variety of haulers; however, what is most important to them is the reliability, accountability, and responsibility that comes with experience. To stand out, you need to be professional, be accurate and have good equipment as well as communication skills. This will set you apart from other entry-level hot shot drivers, reducing the inconsistency in income.
Competitive Landscape of Hot Shot Car Hauling
As mentioned above, Hot Shot Car Hauling is very competitive because there are a lot of people doing it. That’s great for the customer, but if you are an aspiring car hauler, then it might make it difficult for you to stand out.
The reason it's so competitive is that it's relatively easy for a person to get into it; all you need is the paperwork, a truck with a hauling capacity, and a flatbed trailer. You make your own hours, and you get the flexibility you want; you are not locked in an office cubicle, but rather are out on the open road.
What makes haulers stand out is experience and professionalism, both visually confirmed and with a proven track record of being a reliable person. That takes time, and at the beginning, a hauler would need to be patient - it's a process that weeds out the weak and leaves the competent people, all the better for everyone.
Alternative Car Towing Options
There are many ways to complete a job, and hot shot car hauling is only one of them - it's a tool with its pros and cons. It's suitable for some jobs and not as suitable for others - luckily, choices are abundant for a person to choose from.
If long-distance hauling is required, then regular car hauling is the best choice - it's generally cheaper per mile than hot shot shipping. Car shipping across the country is generally done with big haulers that can load up to 8-10 cars at once. It makes sense to book with a bigger company if you want to ship more cars, but also if you are not in a hurry and want to ship affordably.
Enclosed Trailers vs. Open Trailers
This is a topic we are very familiar with, and we can go on and on about the intricacies of both open and enclosed trailers. The gist of it is that open trailers provide more room and are suitable for taller vehicles, but don’t have the same level of protection.
Open trailers, on the other hand, fully enclose any sort of vehicle; they come with lifts or lowered ramps, which allow for hauling modified low clearance vehicles. However, they can rarely fit irregularly sized cars, like SUVs or trucks, and vans. They are used for high-value vehicles that need to be as pristine when they are, as they were when they were collected for shipping.
When to Use Full-Size Auto Transporters
Full-size auto transporters have a 10:1 carrying capacity compared to hot shot haulers, meaning they make sense when there are a lot of cars to ship at once. Dealers use full-sized transporters to ship their vehicles, and so do manufacturers - straight from the factory to a dealer’s lot.
Full-sized auto haulers are generally cheaper to hire per mile, but they are 70% slower due to routing accommodations, height restrictions, weight restrictions, and so much more.
Driveaway Services: An Overview
This is as close to a white-glove service as you can get with hot shot car hauling - due to the small size of the trailer, a hot shot carrier can leave your vehicle straight at your front door. It's something that big haulers have an issue with, both due to their massive turning radius and ordinance restrictions barring massive haulers from entering certain urban or suburban areas.
The driveway service is nice to have because it makes everything so much easier; in fact, it's so prevalent in the hot shot industry that it’s sort of implied that you want your car delivered straight to your door.
