USDOT 3067808 · MC-59119 · HOTSHOT
Single-vehicle and oversized moves. Dispatched in hours, not days.
RAM 5500 hotshot units for one-off priority moves, dual-wheel pickups, lifted trucks, and anything that won't sit cleanly on a multi-car deck. Same authority, same insurance, same drivers — different trailer.
When hotshot is the right call
- →Single-vehicle moves where waiting for a Cottrell to fill costs more than the hotshot premium.
- →Oversized loads: dual-wheel, lifted, long-bed pickups, heavy-duty work trucks.
- →Priority moves on lanes where a hotshot can dispatch faster than the next scheduled hauler.
- →Inoperable vehicles requiring winch-loading and a single-truck dedicated move.
- →Lanes outside our regular Cottrell rotation where speed matters more than per-vehicle economics.
Equipment
- →RAM 5500 hotshot tractors rated for heavy-duty single-vehicle transport.
- →Maintained at our terminals, not subcontracted.
- →100% ELD-compliant per 49 CFR Part 395.
- →DVIR completed every shift per 49 CFR § 396.11.
- →Securement per FMCSA cargo rules (49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I).
What you get either way
- →Direct contact with the dispatcher who controls the truck.
- →Photo inspection at pickup and delivery — same SOP as our Cottrell fleet.
- →COI naming you or your dealership as certificate holder, on request.
- →Authority you can verify on the FMCSA SAFER snapshot.
- →A driver under our authority — not an outside contractor running our paperwork.
Common hotshot questions
When does a hotshot make more sense than a multi-car hauler?
Three common cases: (1) you're moving one vehicle and don't want to wait for a Cottrell to fill up; (2) the unit is oversized — dual-wheel, lifted, or a long-bed pickup that won't sit cleanly on a multi-car deck; (3) the lane doesn't fit a standing route and a hotshot can dispatch faster. If you're not sure, tell dispatch and we'll quote both options.
How fast can you pick up a hotshot move?
On standing-capacity lanes (NV, CA, AZ, UT) we can often dispatch within 24 hours, sometimes same-day. Longer-haul moves depend on truck availability on the lane. Contact dispatch for a firm pickup window.
What counts as oversized?
Anything that doesn't fit a standard Cottrell upper or lower deck — dual-wheel pickups, lifted trucks, long-bed setups, and most heavy-duty work trucks. RAM 5500 hotshot equipment is rated for these moves.
Are hotshot moves more expensive than multi-car?
Per-vehicle, usually yes — a hotshot is dedicating one truck to one unit, not amortizing across 8–9 cars. The trade-off is speed and the ability to handle units that wouldn't fit on a multi-car deck at all. For one-off priority moves the math often works out.
Is the same insurance and authority in force on hotshot loads?
Yes. RAM 5500 hotshot units operate under the same USDOT 3067808 / MC-59119 authority as our Cottrell fleet, with the same insurance program: auto liability, motor truck cargo, and general liability exceeding 49 CFR Part 387 minimums.