\t\t\t\t\t\u2022 I\u2019m 18 years old ![\":wave:\"](\"https:\/\/www.thetruckersreport.com\/truckingindustryforum\/styles\/default\/xenforo\/smilies-vb\/wave.gif\" "\\"wave")
No CDL
\u2022 2005 Chevy 3500 DRW LLY diesel 4x
\u2022 2023 full tilt deck car trailer, 14k#, 84\u201d wide and 18\u2019 deck with 3\u2019 dovetail<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a little background on me. 18 years old, I currently have a 05 Chevy dually and a 21\u2019 total deck. I use this setup for retrieving my old trucks and tractors. I usally get these rigs going, and sell, or part them out on Facebook and EBay. I do pretty good for being 18, and in my last year of High School. But when I\u2019m out of school I want to step into something that makes me more $$$. Looking into transport work. I\u2019d like to work for myself rather than for someone else. More freedom and such.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve put 40k+ miles down since I got my license when I turned 17 last summer. I\u2019m sure at least half of that pulling loads all over Washington and Oregon. Lots of miles in reverse ![\":)\"](\"https:\/\/www.thetruckersreport.com\/truckingindustryforum\/styles\/default\/xenforo\/clear.png\" "\\"Smile")
So for my age I have a lot of experience driving. I\u2019ve 600 and 700 mile days a couple times. <\/p>\n
My grandparents and parents think I should get into the towing business eventually, and are offering to help me get there. I have a good skillset and good personality for it. Good with people and such. Attractive personality so I\u2019ve been told. And I LOVE driving.<\/p>\n
I thought a good way to get a proof of concept would be to use my current equipment in hotshot. And if it does good just keep on doing it.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been reading the \u201cSo you want to get into hot-shot?\u201d Pinned thread. About 10 pages in and most of my current questions are answered. I\u2019m gonna finish the thread over the next couple days. Bedtime reading My concerns are about my age and equipment.<\/p>\n
Being 18, I have nothing on my driving record. Clean slate, but I\u2019m sure insurance<\/a> will be through the roof. Will my age be a limiting factor to what jobs<\/a> I can take???<\/p>\n Addressing the no CDL thing. I REALLY want my CDL. I even have a 70s GMC semi truck I\u2019d love to be able to drive. But in my state, Washington, you can\u2019t drive interstate with CDL loads till 21 years old. So I think I could drive non CDL and be OK till I\u2019m 21. And not being able to drive interstate would obviously be very limiting.<\/p>\n My concerns with my truck, and finally my trailer\u2026 it\u2019s a real nice car hauler. Great tilt deck, right as the deck comes down, the load is perfectly balanced. Love the trailer for what I do. It\u2019s a bumper pull. But it\u2019s short, and narrow. 7\u2019 wide and 21\u2019 long. Rated for 14k and only weighs 3.5k. Would I be able to use this trailer and make $$ doing hotshot, or should I save up for a longer trailer? I really want to keep the weight down though, for more hauling capacity. And say I can use this trailer, what type of loads would be ideal for my setup?<\/p>\n I like the idea of getting into the business with my current set up, as it wouldn\u2019t put me out a ton as far as buying equipment. Any advice and such is greatly appreciated. TIA\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
First of all it\u2019s 20 years old with 250k on the clock. I\u2019ve done all the mechanical work on it myself. Completely new front end from hub to hub. All new steering and suspension. Rides like a dream. Motor is in good shape. Was re-sealed right before I bought it last summer, no blow by. I checked car fax and it\u2019s had oil changes every 5-7k miles at the dealer before I bought it. I change oil every 4-5k miles. And trans was regularly serviced, I do the trans every 25k. Another big ticket for me was the truck was never tuned. That\u2019s a big green flag, so not super concerned about head gasket failure. No signs of HG failure yet. New Tcase and drivelines right before I bought as well. Even though it\u2019s been well maintained, it\u2019s still 20 years old, with 250k on it. So probably will end up having a problem. Is me having such an old truck a deterrent for companies hiring out loads??? Would that limit my jobs<\/a>???<\/p>\n