Hotshot carriers fill the gap between a cargo van and a full-size semi. Shippers call on hotshots when freight is urgent, when the load is too small to justify a full tractor-trailer, or when a delivery site can't fit a 53' rig. That flexibility is your advantage — if your dispatcher knows how to market it.
Weight is everything in hotshot. A Non-CDL setup typically handles 9,000 to 12,000 lbs of freight, while a CDL hotshot can take 12,000 to 20,000 lbs. Your Pro Dispatch dispatcher knows your exact truck and trailer weights, your deck length and your license class, and only presents loads that keep you legal.
CDL vs Non-CDL hotshot dispatch
Non-CDL hotshots must keep their combined weight rating under the CDL threshold, which limits payload but keeps operating costs low. CDL hotshots can scale heavier freight and access more equipment and partial flatbed loads. We dispatch both, and we help Non-CDL operators plan routes and freight that maximize revenue inside their limits.
Hotshot specifications we plan around
Every hotshot load is checked against your equipment before it reaches you:
- Width: 8' to 8.5'
- Length: up to 40' (going 2' over standard brings extra permit considerations)
- Height: up to about 12' from the ground with freight
- Gooseneck or bumper-pull, ramps, winch and dovetail
- Straps, chains and binders available on board
Stacking partials for a better day
One of the best ways to raise a hotshot's weekly gross is to combine partial loads heading in the same direction. Your dispatcher looks for compatible partials that fit your deck and weight limits so you get paid twice for the same miles.
Why carriers choose Pro Dispatch for hotshot freight
Pro Dispatch has been dispatching trucks for more than five years. Every carrier gets a personal dispatcher who handles only three to five trucks, works 24/7, and is paid on commission — which means your dispatcher only does well when you do. Loads are booked under your own MC, so brokers pay you or your factoring company directly. There is no long-term contract and no forced dispatch: you choose every load, and you can leave at any time.
Ready to see the difference? Upload your four documents and your dispatcher will call you for a welcoming call, or read more about how our dispatch process works and how our pricing works.