2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Possible light load Hotshoting

[Robert Johnson II]

Hey everyone, 

I bout a 2014 Crew Cab GMC last year and I am very very new to the truck game, and Im looking for ways to make some decent part time money on the weekends with my truck. I want to get in to hotshot and I understand that generally you need a 3/4 to ton truck to do it effectively. What Im trying to do is use my 1500 to make some money to upgrade to a 3/4 tone like March of 2022. My question is how feasible is it to do hotshoting with light loads like single car transports etc on a part time base with my 1500.  My 1500 has the upgraded towing package (not max trailering) and 5.3.  

 

Thanks for your feed back

[mikeyk101]

I am not familiar with those transport trailers. How much would one weigh? And I think it might also depend on the hitch. The heavier the total weight is, it might possibly need a weight distribution hitch. I know my toyhauler weighs empty at about 4500lbs and loaded with my trike and gear,  it comes in around 63-6500lbs. My 2016 crew cab with 5.3 3.42 gears and 6 speed trans seems to do just fine pulling that. It initially struggled in some of the hills and mountains down in Tennesee, Kentucky, Arkansas  and Missouri until I figured out to just drop a gear manually just before going up the grades. I did one time rent one of the full car trailers from Uhaul to transport a Chrysler minivan from about 30 miles just SE of Valparaiso  IN to the Northside of Chicago, just over 90 miles . It was mostly flat and did just fine. I hope that helps.

Edited November 24, 2021 by mikeyk101

[JimCost2014]

Think a 1500, if it is a crew with the short bed is not going to be enough truck to get any decent paying jobs.

 

Types of Trucks Used in Hot Shot Trucking

• Class 3 (14,001-16,000lbs)

  Examples include: Ram 3500, GMC Sierra 3500, Ford E-350, Ford F-350

• Class 4 (16,001-19,500lbs)

  Examples include: Ram 4500, GMC 4500, Ford E-450, Ford F-450

• Class 5 (19,501-26,000lbs)

  Examples include: Ram 5500, GMC 5500, Ford F-550, Peterbilt 325

Edited November 24, 2021 by JimCost2014

[pokismoki]

I would upgrade the cooling system to the 6.2 radiator, get the trans tuned, maybe re-gear 4.11, HD tow tires, then add a beefy 5thwheel attachment and overload springs, keep the speed at 55 mph thats all the smoke you got. should be alright for awhile. your gonna waste atleast $6000 beefing up the 1500 truck

 

smart money would start off with a proper truck tho

Edited November 24, 2021 by pokismoki

[CamGTP]

I see tons of guys using half ton trucks for hot shotting or local Courier services. Most of them have toppers and some pull smaller trailers like the size of a car single car hauler.

 

If most of the stuff you pick up fits in the bed or fits on a trailer like that and weights less than 6,000-7,000lbs, it should do just fine for a while.

 

Do a little prep on the truck before hand and go for it. Good tires, proper pressures, remove the transmission thermostat to make sure the transmission stays cool, use tow/haul anytime the trailer is hooked up.

[KARNUT]

You could always do Uber. Amazon advertises for package delivers. I’d seen other package delivery services looking for help. 

[dieselfan1]

Look into trucking companies that deal with LTL. 

They always have smaller loads you could handle with a 1500.