Hot Rig Blog

Field notes for the
hot shot lane.

Rates, equipment, insurance, and load board strategy — written for the operators and shippers actually moving freight under 26,000 lbs.

/ Tools·10 min read

Dispatch Software Tips for Small Trucking Companies

Running a hot shot operation means juggling tight delivery windows, specialized cargo, and fuel costs that swing wildly. These small trucking company dispatch software tips help you tighten operations, make smarter road decisions, and build a business that scales without burning you out.

July 11, 2026Read more →
/ Equipment·9 min read

Flatbed vs Step Deck: Which Trailer Fits Your Cargo?

Picking the wrong trailer can mean permit headaches, safety violations, or a load that simply won't fit. Here is the practical breakdown of flatbed vs step deck — height, cost, cargo types, and when each one is the right call.

July 5, 2026Read more →
/ Shippers·5 min read

Why Small Rigs Are the Secret Weapon for Your Supply Chain

In the fast-paced world of logistics, every decision counts. Small rigs — box trucks, cargo vans, and dually pickups — are emerging as the secret weapon for cost-effective, fast, and direct supply chain delivery.

June 18, 2026Read more →
/ Industry·6 min read

5 Key Benefits of Using Truck Operator Marketplaces

Modern load board marketplaces are changing how shippers and hot shot operators do business. Here are five reasons drivers and freight teams are leaving the broker chain behind.

May 22, 2026Read more →
/ Equipment·8 min read

Best Hot Shot Truck Types for Oil Field Transportation

Oil field freight is its own beast — gravel pads, tight schedules, and load profiles that don't fit a Class 8. Here is how the most successful hot shot rigs are configured for the patch.

April 30, 2026Read more →
/ Tools·7 min read

Best Load Boards for Specialized Freight Carriers

Generic load boards are tuned for dry van and reefer freight. Specialized carriers — hot shot, flatbed, dually, oversize — need boards that show the equipment they actually run.

April 12, 2026Read more →
/ Business·9 min read

Hot Shot Trucking Business Startup Costs: Complete Breakdown

Thinking about starting a hot shot operation? Here is a line-item breakdown of what it costs to legally and profitably get your first truck on the road.

March 28, 2026Read more →
/ Business·8 min read

Hot Shot Trucking Insurance Requirements: Complete Guide

Hot shot operators sit in an unusual insurance category — too commercial for personal auto, too small for fleet. Here is what coverage you actually need and why.

March 8, 2026Read more →
/ Pricing·7 min read

Hot Shot Trucking Rates Per Mile: 2026 Pricing Guide

What should a hot shot run pay in 2026? Here is the per-mile math, broken down by equipment type, lane, and freight category.

February 18, 2026Read more →
/ Shippers·6 min read

How to Find Specialized Trucking Services for Your Business

Standard freight doesn't fit every load. Here is how to find — and vet — specialized trucking services for the freight your business actually moves.

January 30, 2026Read more →

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