R.I.P. Smart Trucking Dave McMillian. Family made the announcement today of his passing. He will be greatly missed and an educator and mentor with good old boy stories.
Natalie, well here I am Sharing my past with you again. As you may remember, I was in the early days of Hot Shot business doing well, when a drunk driver hit me head on back in 1977. Because of legal issues from the dead Marine who hit me. I took on the Big Rig bit. That was doing well, but I missed the Hot Shot world, so I bought me 2000 F350, and a used 40 ft Gooseneck. Ended up selling my Pete and Trailer to another driver. Had another accident last October 2023. Caught it all on my Dash Cam. Took 6 months but His insurance paid off. Now I am back in business. Lessons learned... Hot Shots are profitable, big trucks are profitable if you mind your business. Now I run CDL just about every state EXCEPT California. I am happy. The M2 106 with a Cat motor is a good set up. Just Hard to find. 😊
All or nothing - absolutely right! I moved from non-CDL hotshot to a semi. Installed a dorm sized fridge, microwave, 32" TV, PC, laser printer w/scanner and built a 38 x 20 butcher block table. And I'm VERY comfy even with 2 large dogs. Just bought a 53' Reitnouer Big Bubba spread axle flatbed with the coil package. How do you decide which way to go? Just search the loadboard using CDL hotshot specs and semi flatbed specs. The amount of loads available for semi flatbed means I have many more options to choose from compared to the CDL hotshot.
So smart! Debt is expensive, paid for enables you to weather the storms. Service is what you're selling and you're doing well. There are people out there who are desperately upside down in 3 series trucks with low miles, perfect opportunities when you need "new" truck.
Ok soooo, there is a chance you will upgrade. I guess if the time is right. Everyone wants the best equipment but the don't want to take the steps or sacrifice to get there. Thank you for sharing and have a great day.
If I close the doors and go back to one woman band, and just run myself no other trucks leased on, I would upgrade. I could still dispatch other trucks on the side, but I'd have to let go of the lease ons for sure. I have 3 about to be 4 right now...
I can imagine Hence the difficulty I've had trying to fill the seat in my second truck I get it, if I were in their shoes, I probably wouldn't want to either
Agreed. But I couldn't tell you how many people I've spoken to had to sell their truck and dream of being owner ops to go work for someone else because their truck went down and couldn't pay the $20k to fix it and keep rolling.
@HotshotAdventures I have 3 friends who are owner operators, and they love it. They own the truck and the tanker trailer. They all haul oil and chemicals, no cargo, but if needed, they can do that too. We all go rock crawling together.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Comfort and capability out on the road it hard to get a little truck (anything up to an F550 basically) to do anything as well as a proper Class 7 or 8 with a sleeper. On the other hand owning and running a big truck is more of a chore and a bigger commitment. But that's the place to be if you're in it for the long term.
I got a good deal on a single axle semi truck with sleeper to pull my 40 foot trailer. I have 17000 in that truck and I replaced everything I could with new parts. I parked my dodge ram 3500 and I will never go back to a pickup.
Hello Natalie, Can you help me get into this field. I am a Diesel mechanic and I am purchasing a truck almost like the M2 but the GMC version of that. If you have time to talk to me about it. I have questions about it. Ty!! Cruz
I don't need to know everything, I just need to know where I can find the answers when I need it. Natalie, how much do you charge for dispatching fees 10% 12%? I like your style: talker/hustler
I don't want to know everything, nor do I think I do. But I'd say I do a pretty good job at keeping the communication clear and keeping the trailers loaded. I charge 10% dispatching my dear
I started as a hotshot in 1990 did that for 2 yrs but it did take much to go to a big truck pete you make more money drove that way 2.8 million. Do not buy anythany newer than 2007 after that it was designed to cost the customer and pad dealership pockets
Natile I'm not asking how much money you make a year but could you inform us if you time away from your family and everyday pitfall with all your drivers worth all the effort you put into you job.I'm proud of your team they really seem to be a part of your family but I follow Clutch trucker also and the hardships he's been having with low rates and high maintenance on equipment has got him so broke he can't even think about dieing.
I do have a lot of time effort energy and heart invested into my company this industry and my team. Even with the best team everyone falls short, including me. It is a struggle, and the only guarantees in this industry are the bills. For me, it's worth it. If you're asking if it is easier to go work for a company then be self employed, hands down, it's much easier. But if you were to ask me if I'd ever clock in and sit in an office or go drive for a company, I never will again. The freedom to work with who I want, when I want, or to go tell someone to go pound sand and not loose my job or staus, is like a freedom I have never experienced before. I wouldn't trade it for the word. Trucks break. They require money and down time to fix them. When companies and individuals are not prepared for that, the stress and anxiety is immeasurable. It is easier to work for a company in that respect. But then I would just be contributing to making someone else rich, rather than investing in myself and going after the riches for myself.
R.I.P. Smart Trucking Dave McMillian. Family made the announcement today of his passing. He will be greatly missed and an educator and mentor with good old boy stories.
Natalie, well here I am Sharing my past with you again. As you may remember, I was in the early days of Hot Shot business doing well, when a drunk driver hit me head on back in 1977. Because of legal issues from the dead Marine who hit me. I took on the Big Rig bit. That was doing well, but I missed the Hot Shot world, so I bought me 2000 F350, and a used 40 ft Gooseneck. Ended up selling my Pete and Trailer to another driver.
Had another accident last October 2023. Caught it all on my Dash Cam. Took 6 months but His insurance paid off. Now I am back in business. Lessons learned...
Hot Shots are profitable, big trucks are profitable if you mind your business. Now I run CDL just about every state EXCEPT California. I am happy.
The M2 106 with a Cat motor is a good set up. Just Hard to find. 😊
All or nothing - absolutely right! I moved from non-CDL hotshot to a semi. Installed a dorm sized fridge, microwave, 32" TV, PC, laser printer w/scanner and built a 38 x 20 butcher block table. And I'm VERY comfy even with 2 large dogs. Just bought a 53' Reitnouer Big Bubba spread axle flatbed with the coil package. How do you decide which way to go? Just search the loadboard using CDL hotshot specs and semi flatbed specs. The amount of loads available for semi flatbed means I have many more options to choose from compared to the CDL hotshot.
Very true
I hope the new trailer serves you well
@@HotshotAdventures Not sure I like the tall deck after running my Big Tex, but it's sure better than the JB Hunt trailers I've hauled the past year!
So smart! Debt is expensive, paid for enables you to weather the storms. Service is what you're selling and you're doing well. There are people out there who are desperately upside down in 3 series trucks with low miles, perfect opportunities when you need "new" truck.
Very true and very correct gene !
Ok soooo, there is a chance you will upgrade. I guess if the time is right. Everyone wants the best equipment but the don't want to take the steps or sacrifice to get there. Thank you for sharing and have a great day.
If I close the doors and go back to one woman band, and just run myself no other trucks leased on, I would upgrade. I could still dispatch other trucks on the side, but I'd have to let go of the lease ons for sure. I have 3 about to be 4 right now...
Once you get in the big rig it’s hard to get back into a pickup
I can imagine
Hence the difficulty I've had trying to fill the seat in my second truck
I get it, if I were in their shoes, I probably wouldn't want to either
Thank goodness for girls like you.
Non-girlie, girls? Lol
Thanks!
Never go into debt unless you have to. Yes, semi tractors are the way to go because of their longevity
Agreed.
But I couldn't tell you how many people I've spoken to had to sell their truck and dream of being owner ops to go work for someone else because their truck went down and couldn't pay the $20k to fix it and keep rolling.
@HotshotAdventures I have 3 friends who are owner operators, and they love it. They own the truck and the tanker trailer. They all haul oil and chemicals, no cargo, but if needed, they can do that too. We all go rock crawling together.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Comfort and capability out on the road it hard to get a little truck (anything up to an F550 basically) to do anything as well as a proper Class 7 or 8 with a sleeper. On the other hand owning and running a big truck is more of a chore and a bigger commitment. But that's the place to be if you're in it for the long term.
Both very true and both sides can be argued successfully
Big rigs last longer than pickup trucks your got it going on girl beautiful smile.
😮 286,000 👍🏻 yeah my trucks at 196,000 each and plan on just keeping them
Amen to that brother
I hope she keeps on keeping on
that's right girl goooooo big 13 speed big sleeper triaxle drop deck ramps air ride, go big or go home great channel
Thank you 🤗
I got a good deal on a single axle semi truck with sleeper to pull my 40 foot trailer. I have 17000 in that truck and I replaced everything I could with new parts. I parked my dodge ram 3500 and I will never go back to a pickup.
Awesome. 🙂
HDT with a sweet ass sleeper!
Instead of the freightliner how about buying a sleeper truck with a gooseneck bed
Yes like a single rear axle truck. They are pretty cool too
They do have class 8 trucks with automatic transmissions
Yes
They do
Hello Natalie,
Can you help me get into this field. I am a Diesel mechanic and I am purchasing a truck almost like the M2 but the GMC version of that. If you have time to talk to me about it. I have questions about it.
Ty!! Cruz
Www.patreon.com/hotshotadventures
We just did the monthly zoom meeting yesterday
I don't need to know everything, I just need to know where I can find the answers when I need it.
Natalie, how much do you charge for dispatching fees 10% 12%?
I like your style: talker/hustler
I don't want to know everything, nor do I think I do. But I'd say I do a pretty good job at keeping the communication clear and keeping the trailers loaded. I charge 10% dispatching my dear
Get a Used Freightliner M2-112 SPORTCHASSIS. It will last you a very long time
I’ve had a m2 and now I’m in a semi. Skip the m2 and get into a semi. Just stay away from the paccar engine.
I started as a hotshot in 1990 did that for 2 yrs but it did take much to go to a big truck pete you make more money drove that way 2.8 million. Do not buy anythany newer than 2007 after that it was designed to cost the customer and pad dealership pockets
Very good Jim!
Natile I'm not asking how much money you make a year but could you inform us if you time away from your family and everyday pitfall with all your drivers worth all the effort you put into you job.I'm proud of your team they really seem to be a part of your family but I follow Clutch trucker also and the hardships he's been having with low rates and high maintenance on equipment has got him so broke he can't even think about dieing.
I do have a lot of time effort energy and heart invested into my company this industry and my team. Even with the best team everyone falls short, including me. It is a struggle, and the only guarantees in this industry are the bills.
For me, it's worth it. If you're asking if it is easier to go work for a company then be self employed, hands down, it's much easier. But if you were to ask me if I'd ever clock in and sit in an office or go drive for a company, I never will again. The freedom to work with who I want, when I want, or to go tell someone to go pound sand and not loose my job or staus, is like a freedom I have never experienced before. I wouldn't trade it for the word.
Trucks break. They require money and down time to fix them. When companies and individuals are not prepared for that, the stress and anxiety is immeasurable. It is easier to work for a company in that respect. But then I would just be contributing to making someone else rich, rather than investing in myself and going after the riches for myself.
Would u ever come to meet any of your subscribers in person and give them business tips in person cause I am selling firewood for a business business
I feel that's what my patreon is for. But sure I'd mentor anyone that wanted it.
Www.patreon.com/hotshotadventures
I would like to meet u in person cause it's easier for me to learn
I can't afford the patreon at all so that is why I am asking if we can meet in person
Instead of
WITH YOU'RE SIZE
..APretty sure you need a TAG AXEL, Even when you're empty...