A strong and dependable truck is an essential component of your hotshot trucking business. You have to consider several things before buying the truck and buying the best truck for your hotshot business. Here is our selected list of best trucks for the hotshot business you can hire or buy to maximize profit.
In this business, you may have to transport loads of varying kinds and weights. Therefore the best truck for your hotshot business should have the ability and strength to carry heavy loads as and when needed.
Since the hotshot trucking business is based primarily on the time frame of delivery, i.e. you have to deliver the consignment (heavy or light) within a specific time; you must consider certain factors while choosing the best truck. It should have a good towing and hauling capability, handle well under heavy loads, and be suitable and comfortable for long drives. In addition, the truck must be equipped with advanced safety features.
Along with all these, you have to choose between varying truck sizes, bed sizes, and engine performance before buying the best truck for your hotshot business. In addition, talk to some of the veterans in the business as well as automobile experts. This will give you a fairly good idea of which truck to buy for your hotshot trucking business.
Classification of Trucks and Trailers
Different types of trucks and trailers are mainly classified according to the loads they can carry. You have to choose them according to the needs of your business.
- Class 3 Medium Duty trucks can carry loads between 10,000 and 14,000 pounds.
- Class 4 Medium Duty trucks can carry loads ranging between 14,001 and 16,000 pounds
- Class 5 Medium Duty trucks can carry loads between 16,001 and 19,500 pounds.
The prominent trailers include
- Bumper Pull trailers that carry less than 10,000 pounds
- Tilt Deck trailers with tilting facilities for heavier load
- Dovetail trailers for carrying cars or other carriages with wheels
- Gooseneck trailers for heavy loads
- Lowboy trailers with a low center of gravity for heaviest loads
Sometimes you can use refrigerated trucks or trailers for medical or perishable goods.
10 Best Trucks for Hotshot Trucking
1. RAM 3500 Big Horn
It is one of the strongest trucking vehicles available at present in the market. This truck has the option of both gasoline and diesel as fuel. It is meant for gooseneck towing and the capacity is 24,000 pounds. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR is 13,910 pounds.
Its HEMI engine gives 410 Horsepower and 429 Pound-Feet of Torque and the Turbo Diesel Engine gives 400 Horsepower and 1000 Pound-Feet of Torque.
It has a strongly built body with excellent features like
- Abundant interior storage and a rear reclining seat
- 6 Airbags
- The surround-view camera of 360 degrees
- High-Beam Headlamps
- Better-quality towing and brake-system hardware
- Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension System
The price of this truck is above $34,000.
2. RAM 2500 Big Horn
This truck can also be considered one of the best pickup trucks for the hotshot business. With a GVWR of 10,000 pounds, its Gooseneck towing capacity is 20,000 pounds. The snowplough rating of this truck is also very good.
The HEMI engine gives 410 Horsepower and 429 Pound-Feet of Torque and the Turbo Diesel Engine gives 400 Horsepower and 1000 Pound-Feet of Torque.
It is strong, but light in weight. It has a backup camera and park-assisting features. The towing aids include trailer sway control and trailer brake control systems. The price is above $42,000.
Read: How to Start a Transportation Business with One Van
3. Nissan Titan XD Truck for Hotshot Trucking Business
Strong and versatile in function, this truck can be your ideal truck for the hotshot business. It is available in gasoline as well as diesel engine models. The gasoline model gives 390 Horsepower and 394 Pounds of Torque. While the diesel models give 310 Horsepower and 550 pound feet of Torque.
With a GVWR of 8990 Pounds and a gooseneck towing capacity of 12,310 Pounds, the Nissan Titan XD is equipped with sophisticated features like Android Auto, blind-spot warning, tow-haul mode, trailer light checking system, etc.
Containing almost all kinds of safety features, this truck costs a little above $ 32,000.
4. Ford F-450 Lariat Super Duty Commercial
It is a spacious truck that can be one of the best trucks for the hotshot business. With its comfortable leather seats and storage box under the seats, it can accommodate 6 people. It has a GVWR of 14,000 pounds and a gooseneck towing capacity of 34,000 pounds.
Its gasoline V8 engine gives 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel can give 450 horsepower and 935 pound-feet of torque.
Its aluminum body makes it stronger. It has innovative features like voice-activated technology SYNC 3, 19.5 inches polished aluminum wheels, etc. The price starts from $66,080.
5. Ford F-350 XLT Super Duty Commercial Truck for Hotshot Business
This truck is also the best truck for many hotshot business owners. It has many features similar to the Ford F-450 Lariat Super Duty Commercial. The GVWR of this truck is 14,000 Pounds and the gooseneck towing capacity is 32,500 Pounds.
The gasoline V8 engine gives 385 horsepower and 430 Pounds of Torque. The turbocharged diesel engine gives 450 horsepower and 935 pound-feet of Torque. It is durable and has great hauling as well as towing capacity. The price is more than $38,000.
6. Ford F-250 XL Super Duty Commercial
This truck with a GVWR of 14,000 Pounds and a Gooseneck Towing capacity of 34,000 Pounds can be the best truck for your hotshot business. It is available in both gasoline and diesel engine models. The gasoline V8 engine gives 385 horsepower and 430 Pounds of Torque. The diesel engine gives 450 horsepower and 935 Pound-Feet of Torque similar to that of the Ford F-350 XLT Super Duty Commercial.
This truck has great hauling as well as towing capacity. It has features like AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and Quad-Dual beam halogen headlamps. It is a comparatively light truck but has a strong frame and chassis. The starting price of this truck is above $32,000.
7. GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD
This powerful truck is ideally featured to be your best truck for hotshot business. With a GVWR of 10,000 Pounds, it has a gooseneck towing capacity of 15,400 Pounds. It has a Duramax turbo-diesel engine that gives 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of Torque.
This strongly built truck has modern features like 4G LTE Wi-Fi, a cooler induction system, a Trailering Camera, a Rear Vision Camera, etc. It also has a cargo box and a comfortable interior. The price of this truck starts from $57,985.
8. GMC Sierra 3500
This powerful truck is one of the best trucks for the hotshot business. It has a GVWR of 13,025 Pounds and a gooseneck towing capacity of 23,100 Pounds. The Duramax diesel engine gives 445 Horsepower and 910 pound feet of Torque.
The truck has sophisticated Apple and Android connectivity features along with excellent exterior and interior arrangements. Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Safety Alert Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist are some of the advanced safety features of this truck. The price of this truck starts at more than $35,000.
9. Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Truck for Hotshot
Being awarded the “Most Awarded Commercial Pickup Truck In America” Silverado can justly be your best truck for the hotshot business. It has both gasoline and diesel options in the case of engines. The gasoline engine gives 360 Horsepower and 380-pound feet of Torque. The Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine gives 445 Horsepower and 910-pound feet of Torque.
This truck has a GVWR of 9,500 Pounds and a gooseneck towing capacity of 28,000 Pounds. The Chevrolet Infotainment System has technologically superior features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, etc. The price of a Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD starts at $33,610.
10. Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
This rock-solid and strong truck can be regarded as one of the most effective trucks for the hotshot business. It has a GVWR of 13,025 Pounds and a gooseneck towing capacity of 28,000 Pounds. It is available in gasoline as well as diesel engine models. The gasoline engine gives 360 Horsepower and 380-pound feet of Torque. While the diesel engine model gives 445 Horsepower and 910-pound feet of Torque.
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It is also equipped with the Chevrolet Infotainment System and myChevrolet Mobile App. Apart from that, it has advanced technical features like Digital Steering Assist, StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control, Hill Start Assist, etc. The starting price of this model of truck is $35,260.
Apart from these 10 best trucks for your hotshot business, there are other options too. You can also buy used trucks or take trucks on rent or lease. In such cases, carefully check the condition of the trucks along with all the features.
