You’ve got a less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment you need delivered, and you need it delivered fast. If you go to a traditional over-the-road trucking company, chances are they don’t handle LTL – or if they do, the delivery times aren’t fast enough.
That’s when you need hot shot trucking.
Hot shot trucking got its name from the oil and gas industry, where truckers had to rush parts to drilling sites. The convenience of getting fast delivery of parts and other key equipment also made rush deliveries popular in industries like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Today, it is spreading to other businesses, particularly small and mid-size businesses with shipments or equipment needs that don’t require a full-sized semi-trailer.
How to tell if this rush shipping for LTL freight is right for you:
- Are you moving a smaller shipment that would fit into a box truck?
If you’re freight would fit into a 22-, 24- or 26-foot long straight truck, or if you’ve got a piece of equipment best transported via flatbed, hot shot transport is a good option for you.
There are some weight restrictions – a fully-loaded box truck cannot exceed 26,000 pounds gross weight, for example – so it’s good to discuss these details with your shipping broker. They will make sure to get the right size and type of trailer for you.
- Do you have construction materials, odd-shaped industrial equipment or other items that are best moved using a flatbed trailer?
Suddenly short on construction materials, key tools or pieces of machinery that won’t fit in a box truck? In that case, hot shot flatbed transport can get your freight where its needed. There are fewer size restrictions on flatbed deliveries thanks to the size of the trailers – so you can move oversized or project cargo this way, too.
- Does your shipment need to be delivered fast?
Downtime means lost revenue. So when equipment breaks down, you need replacement parts ASAP. This is where hot shot deliveries really shine.
Traditional LTL services will put your freight onto a 53-foot trailer with other shipments, which means your delivery date can vary depending on the locations and delivery times of other goods on the truck. With hot shot delivery, your freight takes top priority and delivery times are faster and easier to predict.
- Do you want to save money?
While you might think something called “hot shot” would be more expensive, in many cases, the opposite is true. Because you are moving your freight in a smaller truck, and doing it on an as-needed basis, you generally spend less than you would using a traditional LTL shipper. And you’re avoiding the expense of contracted shipping, where trucks are always available to you, but you pay for the service even when it’s not needed.
- Do you work with a 3PL broker like Halvor Logistics?
While hot shot trucking is great for fast or special deliveries, finding reliable hot shot delivery services can be challenging. That’s where a 3PL broker like Halvor Logistics comes in. We vet the carriers to make sure they meet licensing, insurance and other requirements, and work closely with the drivers to ensure the freight is moved to your specifications.
Want to learn more about Halvor Logistics Freight Services? Contact us today!