At a Glance: Hot Shot car hauling is a fast way to ship your car. This guide explains how it works, compares it to traditional car shipping, and even shows the ways drivers make fast car shipping possible.
Sometimes, you need to quickly move a car long distance. That comes in handy for getting your car overseas, delivering a new car from a faraway dealership, taking luxury cars to new locations, and many more situations. But sometimes, you also need the whole process to happen fast. That’s why many people choose Hot Shot car hauling, a form of rapid car shipping.
Hotshot car hauling gives you speedy results, but it also offers incredible flexibility thanks to small delivery loads and convenience thanks to smaller delivery vehicles.
But cost and certain shipping methods may make you rethink hotshot hauling. It all depends on what your needs are. Keep reading to figure out how to decide.
Hot Shot Car Hauling: The Basics
Hot Shot car hauling (or sometimes hotshot trucking) is a car shipping service that delivers small loads (one to three cars) using small trucks. They deliver cars directly to the customer. So when you need less-than-truckload (LTL) deliveries fast, it’s a go-to option.
Hot Shot car hauling typically relies on freelance drivers rather than auto transport companies, but as we’ll see, that isn’t always the case.
What Are the Benefits of Hot Shot Car Hauling?
Hot Shot trucking and car hauling have two major benefits:
- Hot Shot trucks have access to more locations, including neighborhoods and culs-de-sac. The size of their vehicles often limits large carriers. Tight corners, power lines, low-hanging trees, and even local ordinances can prevent delivery if you are using a ten-car carrier.
- Hot Shot transporters have fast, easy pickup and delivery processes.
How Much Does Hot Shot Car Transport the Cost?
Hot Shot car shipping costs more per vehicle. Standard car shipping can spread costs over multiple vehicles, lowering the price for each.
Still, you might be surprised. Hot Shot car hauling utilizes freelancers, which means a lot of factors can vary—ending up with widely different prices depending on the time of year and route. So it’s worth checking out.
If you want to ship your car safely, quickly, and inexpensively, check out our instant quote calculator.
Is Hot Shot Car Hauling Worth It?
Hotshot car hauling is a must if you have one of these three needs:
- Your vehicle has to be moved fast
- Logistical hiccups mean you need flexibility
- Local auto transport can’t deliver to your location
Hot Shot Car Hauling vs. Standard Car Shipping
| Feature | Hotshot Car Hauling | Standard Car Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Faster, suitable for urgent deliveries | Slower, with more flexible delivery windows |
| Accessibility | Can navigate tight and hard-to-reach areas | Limited by truck size, often can't access tight spaces |
| Load Capacity | Smaller loads, usually 1-3 cars | Larger loads, typically 10 cars |
| Flexibility | Highly flexible, tailored to specific delivery needs | Less flexible, follows more rigid schedules |
| Cost | Generally higher due to expedited service | Generally lower, spread over more vehicles |
| Pickup & Delivery | More convenient for residential pickups and deliveries | May require meeting at a designated location |
| Common Truck Types | Medium-duty trucks (Class 3, 4, 5) | Heavy-duty trucks with large trailers |
| Ideal For | Time-sensitive deliveries, difficult-to-access locations | Standard, less urgent car shipping needs |
| Owner-Operators | Often independent owner-operators | Typically larger companies |
Hot Shot Car Delivery vs. Expedited Car Shipping?
Hotshot car delivery isn’t the only way to ship your car across the country fast. Another option is expedited car shipping.
Unlike Hot Shot hauling, expedited car shipping is done by an auto transport company, using a company-insured driver using company-owned vehicles. They make the shipping happen fast, usually for a higher price.
In Hot Shot car hauling, freelance drivers are hired on online platforms called load boards. Load boards connect drivers to people looking to ship their cars fast. But in expedited car shipping, you go straight to the auto transport company and they make it happen on their end by allocating the route to one of their drivers.
Hotshot hauling allows freelance drivers to fill gaps in their schedules and make the most of their equipment. At the same time, it allows customers to enjoy rapid auto shipping to another state. When it works out, it works out. But if you are in a situation where you need a car to be shipped fast and there are no freelancers able to do the route, expedited car shipping can be a good fall back plan.
In rare instances, companies post availability on load boards, so they end up fulfilling some hotshot orders. But almost always, the term refers only to freelance drivers fulfilling these orders. Convoy Car Shipping offers a form of hotshot car hauling, but with the quality guarantee and reliability that only a large network of drivers and trucks can offer.
How is Hot Shot Car Delivery So Much Faster?
How does Hot Shot hauling happen so much more quickly? It all comes down to how they provide the service and what trucks they use.
Below, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about what kind of setup you can expect to haul your car fast, as well as the kinds of trucks used for hotshot car delivery
What is a Hot Shot car hauler?
A hotshot hauler is a freelance driver who owns their own hauling vehicle. They take extremely time-sensitive loads and deliver them fast. These owner-operators find jobs on load boards—online freelance platforms for drivers.
Hot Shot truckers have experience transporting various load types, including vehicles. They are also expert professionals with the equipment that allows them to provide a good service.
Hot Shot carriers can haul both open and enclosed truck beds. They must follow the same laws as any trucking company and are fully licensed and insured.
The only difference between a hotshot car hauler and an auto transport company? The truck’s size and the number of cars it can move.
What trucks can make a Hot Shot car delivery?
The most common trucks used in hotshot hauling are one-ton pickups. These are classified as medium duty by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Though typically considered non-commercial vehicles, they can perform hotshot hauling services as long as they have:
- proof the driver owns a business
- operating authority
- liability insurance
- a USDOT number of hauling over state lines
The most common hotshot hauler trucks are:
- Class 3 medium-duty truck
- Weight Limit: 10,001 to 14,000 pounds
- Common Models: GMC Sierra 3500, the Chevrolet Silverado 3500, the Ford F-350, and the Ram 3500
- Class 4 medium-duty trucks
- Weight Limit: 14,001 to 16,000 pounds
- Common Models: Ford F-450, the Chevrolet Silverado 4500, and the Ram 4500
- Class 5 medium-duty trucks
- Weight Limit: 16,001 to 19,500 pounds
- Common Models: Ford F-550, the Chevrolet Silverado 5500, and the Ram 5500.
There are some instances where you see commercial trucks used in hotshot car hauling. Popular models would be the Peterbilt 324, Kenworth T170, or the International TerraStar.
An important note: if you would prefer your car be moved in an enclosed transport to prevent damage from the open road, you will need to make sure the hotshot car hauler you work with can provide this. If they can, you might still need to explicitly request it.
Get Hot Shot Car Shipping
Convoy Car Shipping offers fast car shipping at great prices. Talk to our shipping advisers today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hot Shot car hauling?
Hot Shot car hauling uses freelance drivers to move one to three cars fast using medium-duty trucks.
What makes Hot Shot car hauling different from standard car shipping?
Hot Shot car hauling is faster and more flexible, making it suitable for urgent deliveries and hard-to-reach locations. It typically involves smaller loads (no more than three cars), while standard car shipping might transport up to 10 cars at a time. For that reason, standard car shipping is generally slower and follows more rigid schedules.
What trucks are used in Hot Shot car hauling?
Hot Shot car hauling commonly uses Class 3, 4, or 5 medium-duty trucks, such as the GMC Sierra 3500, Ford F-450, and Ram 5500.
Do Hot Shot haulers need to be licensed and insured?
Yes, Hot Shot haulers must be fully licensed and insured.
What are the benefits of using Hot Shot car hauling?
Hot Shot car hauling means faster delivery times and access for hard-to-reach areas.
Is Hot Shot car hauling more expensive than standard car shipping?
Typically, yes. Hot Shot car hauling is generally more expensive due to the fast delivery schedule and smaller load sizes. But it’s always worth checking because cost depends on so many variables.
When is Hot Shot car hauling the best option?
Hot Shot car hauling is ideal for time-sensitive deliveries, addressing logistics issues, and delivering in hard-to-navigate locations.
How do I get a quote for Hot Shot car hauling?
To get a quote for Hot Shot car hauling, contact our shipping advisers today.
Can Hot Shot haulers transport both open and enclosed vehicles?
Sometimes. You need to inquire about this and make sure you request enclosed shipping if that’s a requirement.
Is Hot Shot hauling worth it?
It can be a lucrative career if you have the right vehicle to provide hotshot services. This is especially true if you operate in an area with popular load boards that give you many work opportunities.
How many cars can a Hot Shot haul?
Hot Shot haulers typically transport 1-3 cars at a time.
Is there money in hotshotting?
Yes, there is potential for good earnings in hotshotting, particularly for owner-operators who manage their loads efficiently and maintain a good reputation for timely and reliable deliveries.
How do Hot Shot truckers charge?
Hotshot truckers typically charge based on factors like distance, load size, urgency, and specific customer requirements. Detailed quotes are required, as prices and details fluctuate widely.
What Hot Shot load does the most pay?
The highest-paying hotshot loads often involve urgent or specialized deliveries, such as time-sensitive industrial equipment or high-value vehicles. Loads requiring unique handling or routes that are difficult to service also tend to pay more.
How much can a local Hot Shot driver make?
As a freelance position, the pay for local hotshot drivers varies. But on average, a local hotshot driver can expect to make somewhere between $45,000 and $80,000. It all comes down to demand.
