Expedited & Time-Critical
Hotshots are built for speed and urgency. We monitor premium load boards for "must-go" freight that pays a massive premium compared to standard van loads.
CDL & Non-CDL WelcomeHotshot Dispatch Service
Hotshot Dispatch Service
For Owner Operators
Maximize your dually and gooseneck revenue. We specialize in fast-paced expedited freight, partials, and heavy equipment hauling. We keep your trailer full, negotiate the highest RPM, and handle all the paperwork 24/7.
We Understand 3500s & Goosenecks. We Are Hotshot Experts.
Hotshot trucking moves fast. You need a dispatch team that understands weight limits, GVWR regulations, and how to combine LTL loads to make your 40ft trailer out-earn the big rigs.
Partial & LTL Stacking
Why run one cheap load? Our dispatchers are experts at stacking 2 to 3 partial shipments on your 40ft trailer, maximizing your gross revenue per trip.
Machinery & Equipment
Got mega ramps? We secure high-paying tractors, skid steers, construction materials, and oilfield equipment that standard dry vans simply can't haul.
CDL & Non-CDL Compliance
We know the FMCSA rules inside out. We calculate your truck and trailer GVWR to ensure Non-CDL drivers stay strictly under the 26,000 lbs legal limit.
Aggressive Rate Negotiation
Hotshot capacity is highly valued by shippers. Our dispatchers negotiate aggressively on lane rates and detention time so you never leave money on the table.
Invoicing & Factoring
Once you drop the load, we handle the headache. We submit all BOLs, Rate Cons, and lumper receipts to your factoring company for fast 24-hour payouts.
Equipment & Carrier Requirements
To provide the absolute best hotshot dispatch service and get you access to premium brokers, we require our partner carriers to be fully equipped. Here is what you need to get started with Nexloads.
Submit Your Carrier Packet-
Active Authority: Active MC & DOT number (New authorities are welcome!).
-
Insurance: Minimum $1,000,000 Auto Liability & $100,000 Cargo Insurance.
-
Equipment: 3/4 Ton or 1-Ton Truck (F-250/350, Ram 2500/3500) with a 30ft - 40ft Gooseneck Trailer.
-
Securement: Mega ramps, heavy-duty straps, chains, binders, and tarps are highly recommended.
Hit The Road In 4 Easy Steps
Our onboarding process is lightning fast. Sign up today, and let us book your first high-paying hotshot load by tomorrow morning.
1
Sign the Agreement
Review our simple, commission-only dispatch agreement. No hidden fees, no forced dispatch.
2
Send Documents
Send us your MC Authority, W-9, and COI. Let us know your exact trailer length and payload capacity.
3
Plan Your Route
Tell your dedicated dispatcher your preferred regions, tarping availability, and home time needs.
4
Get Loaded
We book the highest-paying partials and expedited loads, send the Rate Con, and you hit the road.
How Hotshot Dispatch Fees Work
Most hotshot dispatch services are paid a percentage of the gross revenue on each load they book. Across the industry that commonly falls between 5% and 10%, and it is only charged when your truck hauls a load. Nexloads quotes hotshot dispatch for your lanes and freight instead of using a fixed plan; request a quote and we will confirm the exact percentage before you start. A flat weekly fee is the other common model, but it means you pay even in a slow week.
Look at what the fee covers, not just the number. A good hotshot dispatch service should include load searching, rate negotiation, broker setup packets, rate confirmation review, permit help for oversized loads and next-load planning, with no setup fee, no monthly minimum and no long-term contract. Nexloads works on a commission-only basis. See our dispatch pricing page or read how much a truck dispatcher costs.
What Freight Does a Hotshot Truck Haul?
A 30ft to 40ft gooseneck can earn well when it is matched with the right freight. These are the main load types we target for hotshot owner-operators:
- Expedited and time-critical freight: must-go loads that pay a premium for speed, such as parts that keep a plant or job site running.
- Partial and LTL loads: two or three compatible shipments stacked on one trailer to lift your gross per trip.
- Machinery and equipment: tractors, skid steers and other equipment that a dry van cannot haul.
- Construction and oilfield materials: pipe, building materials and equipment moving to job sites that big rigs cannot reach easily.
- Oversized or permitted loads: loads that need permits or special routing, where our permit assistance saves you time.
Do You Need a CDL to Run Hotshot?
It depends on your actual truck and trailer ratings. A CDL is generally required when the combined weight rating of the truck and trailer is 26,001 lbs or more and the trailer is rated over 10,000 lbs. Many hotshot operators stay under that limit and run without a CDL, but a heavy dually with a large gooseneck can push you over it.
Check the GVWR on both the truck and the trailer before you buy equipment or accept loads. Nexloads works with CDL and non-CDL hotshot operators and helps you stay within your limits. Hauling for hire across state lines also generally requires a USDOT number and your own MC authority, so confirm the current rules with the FMCSA. If you are just getting started, read our guide for new trucking companies.
How to Choose a Hotshot Dispatcher
Hotshot freight is different from dry van freight, so the dispatcher should be too. Ask these questions before you sign:
- Do they understand weight limits and GVWR? Booking the wrong load can put you over your ratings.
- Can they find expedited and partial freight? Not just standard full truckload loads.
- Are the fees in writing? You should know the percentage and what it covers.
- Is there forced dispatch or a long contract? You should approve every load and be free to leave.
- Can you reach them on the road? Hotshot loads are time-sensitive and problems cannot wait.
For a longer checklist, read how to find the best truck dispatcher and compare roles in freight broker vs dispatcher.
Common Hotshot Dispatching Mistakes to Avoid
- Running below your real cost per mile. Fuel, insurance, tires and truck payments add up fast. Start with our breakdown of owner-operator trucking costs.
- Ignoring empty miles. A high rate that strands you far from the next load can earn less than a lower rate in a busy area. See how to reduce deadhead miles.
- Accepting the first rate offered. Brokers expect a counteroffer. Read our tips on negotiating freight rates.
- Overloading or poor securement. Weight limits and securement rules protect your authority, your insurance and your safety.
Hotshot Dispatch Service Near Me: We Work Nationwide
Searching for a hotshot dispatch service near me? Nexloads is a truck dispatch company that works remotely with hotshot owner operators across the United States, so your location does not limit the freight we can find. Our truck dispatching service covers expedited and time-sensitive loads, rate negotiation, broker setup and paperwork, and we plan your next load before you deliver the current one. There are no long-term contracts and no forced dispatch, so you decide which hotshot loads you run.
Hotshot Dispatch Service: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hotshot dispatch service?
A hotshot dispatch service finds and books freight for hotshot owner-operators, negotiates rates with brokers and handles paperwork such as rate confirmations, so you can focus on driving and keep control of your truck.
How much does hotshot dispatch cost?
Nexloads charges a small percentage of gross revenue, with no setup fees, no monthly minimums and no long-term contracts. See our dispatch pricing page for details.
What loads does Nexloads book for hotshots?
We book expedited and time-critical freight, partial and LTL loads, machinery and equipment, construction and oilfield materials, and permitted loads, with help on broker setup, negotiation and invoicing.
Do I need a CDL for hotshot trucking?
It depends on your truck and trailer ratings. A CDL is generally required when the combined weight rating is 26,001 lbs or more and the trailer is rated over 10,000 lbs. Nexloads works with both CDL and non-CDL operators.
Will I be forced to take loads I do not want?
No. Nexloads does not do forced dispatch. We present the best-paying options and you decide which loads you run.
Can a new authority hotshot get dispatched?
Yes. New authorities are welcome. We help with broker setup packets and certificates of insurance and negotiate rates so a new carrier is not taken advantage of.
What rate per mile can a hotshot earn?
Our target average is $2.00 or more per mile, but it is a target, not a guarantee. Real rates depend on the lane, the season, the freight type and how well your loads are stacked and routed.
Do you offer hotshot dispatch near me?
Nexloads is a remote dispatch service that works with hotshot owner-operators across the United States, so wherever your truck is parked, we can search for loads in your region.
Stop Running Cheap Freight. Start Profiting.
Partner with a hotshot dispatch service that actually understands your equipment and market. Let Nexloads handle the heavy lifting of logistics and negotiations.
Get Your Free Dispatch Quote