Most people picture 18-wheelers and big trailers when they think of the trucking industry, but the truth is that there are many types of trucks and delivery methods used in trucking logistics these days. Although the classic big rig still handles the bulk of moving goods across great distances, smaller trucks are also used to complete short journeys. These trucks may involve the use of small cargo trailers, and some may even involve commuter pickup trucks. This type of trucking is sometimes referred to as hotshot trucking because hotshot loads are often small and a direct, quick shot from the shipping company to the customer.
How Does Hotshot Trucking Work?
When a load is less than a truckload (LTL), it doesn’t take up enough space to warrant an 18-wheeler. To use a large truck like this for a small load is wasteful, both in terms of fuel and space. Trucking companies that are faced with LTL deliveries may use a hot shot courier to deliver packages from a warehouse directly to a customer’s home.
Hot shot courier services differ from those completed by companies like UPS and FedEx. A hotshot delivery service handles the last part of a delivery for a logistics company. UPS and FedEx ship packages directly from one source to another.
Is Hotshot Delivery More Expensive?
The cost-effectiveness of hotshot delivery depends on the items being shipped and the distance these items need to travel. Some trucking companies find that hotshot delivery is available at a premium, but the cost of not getting items shipped quickly outweighs the cost of using a courier service.
It’s important to keep in mind that customers have a range of choices these days when it comes to shipping methods, and they often weigh their options. Likewise, distribution partners may look at how quickly they can get goods out of their warehouses when selecting a trucking company for transport. If a trucking company isn’t able to offer fast service, it may lose out to the competition.
Author Resource:-
Jeson Clarke is providing info about single platform for your hotshot, scheduled, daily route, and freight deliveries. You can find his thoughts at last mile logistics blog.