You’ve heard the expression “work smarter, not harder.” That phrase is no less applicable to business than your personal life. One of the fastest ways to grow a small business into something big is with an expedited truck company in Washington DC. If you own a business that requires deliveries to consumers or even other companies, expediting trucking is an excellent method for deliveries.
Equipment For Expedite Trucking Companies
An Expedited Trucking Company can use a few types of trucks.
Cargo vans: A cargo van is just what it sounds like: a van used to transport freight. Cargo vans are available in small, mid-size, and large models. A small cargo van can hold up to six passengers and 30 pounds of cargo; A large van can hold eight passengers and 150 pounds of cargo.
There’s little difference between small and mid-size vans, but mid-size vans can be a little more comfortable for passengers. See this page for more information about choosing the right cargo van for your business.
Semi-trucks: You get great value for your money when you buy a used semi truck. Semi-trucks are manufactured to last and are built with as much comfort as possible. The driver’s cab is fully enclosed and well ventilated. A semi-truck is a safe and comfortable place to be for long hours. There’s a sleeping area so that the driver can rest during breaks. The sleeping area can also double as additional cargo space. Semi-trucks are also fast, which means you’ll get where you’re going—and get back—quickly without having to wait at the destination for too long or worry about making another trip back there.
Drivers: Drivers are the heart of any expedited trucking business and are one of the most important aspects of a successful operation. A qualified and experienced driver is essential to making a successful expedited trucking business work. The key to finding a good driver is through word-of-mouth referrals and by getting more than one appraisal on each driver.
Get multiple appraisals because each driver has strengths and weaknesses. You’ll want to focus on drivers with strengths in management, safety, and customer service.
Expedite Versus Hot Shot
Expedite and hot shot companies are often called “door-to-door” or “local” trucking companies. Most expedited trucking businesses operate within a 50-mile radius of their starting point, and most hot shot companies travel less than 250 miles to reach their destination.
The reason expedited companies are called expedited is that they generally operate with a short schedule. With an expedited company, the driver is expected to arrive at his destination within a limited time frame. Therefore, the schedule is often based on the number of trips they can complete in a day or during a specific period. In most cases, an expedited company drives interim routes that typically drive from one town to another, picking up and dropping off loads of freight along the way.
Hotshot companies are known for traveling long distances, usually more than 250 miles, to get from one town or city to another. These types of companies tend to work on “long-haul” routes that require the driver to complete multiple stops (often referred to as “turns”) along the way. In addition, because hot shot drivers are on the road for more time, they have more opportunities for rest and comfort breaks.
Conclusion
Expedited trucking companies can be a lot of fun and very profitable. All you need to start an expedited trucking company is a van, a driver, and your idea for an expedited route. Then, once you invest in the truck, the driver, insurance coverage, fuel and maintenance, and purchase the necessary equipment (loading dock), the only thing left to do is begin to build your business!
