The most versatile hot shot setup in oilfield and construction freight.
Flatbed is the workhorse trailer type of hot shot trucking. A 40-foot flatbed deck
behind a 1-ton dually opens oilfield, construction, and industrial freight simultaneously — three
separate account types that all pay $1.80/mile or better. No trailer type gives you more load
variety from a single setup.
The oilfield is the highest-paying flatbed market. Compressor skids, tank batteries,
separator vessels, and wellhead assemblies can't move in an enclosed trailer — they need
a flat deck with proper load securement. Operators running active drilling programs
pay $2.50–$3.50/mile for time-critical equipment deliveries to active pads.
Texas, New Mexico, and North Dakota oilfield routes are the top-paying flatbed markets in the country.
Common flatbed hot shot freight types:
- Drill pipe, production tubing, sucker rod, and oilfield tubulars
- Compressor skids, dehydration units, and separator vessels
- Tank batteries and storage vessels for production facilities
- Wellhead assemblies, Christmas tree components, and BOP equipment
- Structural steel, I-beams, rebar, and construction materials
- Heavy machinery, farm equipment, and industrial fabrications
- Oversized cargoes requiring tie-down chains and load securement
What companies look for in flatbed hot shot drivers
CDL Class A + 1 year verifiable experience
Active MC/DOT authority (own authority preferred)
40ft flatbed trailer + 1-ton dually (F-450/F-550 or equivalent)
Load securement knowledge (chains, binders, straps)
Clean MVR — no DUIs, no major violations in last 3 years
Hazmat endorsement preferred for oilfield accounts
TWIC card preferred for refinery and terminal access
Reliable truck — operators verify maintenance records
Browse by State
Top states for flatbed hot shot work
Flatbed hot shot trucking — answers
What pay can I expect on flatbed hot shot jobs?
Flatbed hot shot jobs typically pay
$1.80–$2.50/mile for standard oilfield
and construction hauls. Time-critical loads — frac equipment, wellhead completions,
urgent construction deliveries — run
$2.50–$3.50/mile.
Active flatbed hot shot operators working OTR routes gross
$3,500–$5,500/week depending on setup and region. Texas, New Mexico,
and North Dakota oilfield routes pay at the top of the range.
Browse current flatbed rates on HotRig →
Do I need a CDL for flatbed hot shot work?
It depends on your GCWR. Non-CDL hot shot is legal under 26,001 lb combined
gross weight. Most flatbed hot shot loads — especially oilfield equipment like compressor
skids, pipe racks, and construction machinery — push operators over this threshold,
requiring a Class A CDL. Operators with CDL Class A command more load
variety and higher rates. Most operators posting flatbed positions on HotRig require
CDL Class A plus 1 year of verified experience.
What size trailer do I need for flatbed hot shot loads?
The standard flatbed hot shot setup is a 40-foot flatbed trailer pulled
by a 1-ton dually (F-450, F-550, RAM 3500/4500, or equivalent). A 40ft deck gives you
maximum legal payload without triggering oversize permits in most states. Pipe racks extend
your effective capacity for tubulars and structural steel. Equipment haulers with ramps are
preferred for construction accounts. Some operators run 48ft trailers for OTR flatbed freight —
verify load dimensions before investing in longer trailers.
What types of freight moves on flatbed hot shot?
Flatbed hot shot freight spans oilfield and construction: drill pipe, production
tubing, and sucker rod; compressor skids and dehydration units; tank batteries
and separator vessels; wellhead assemblies and Christmas tree components;
structural steel, I-beams, and rebar for construction; heavy machinery
and equipment for agricultural and industrial accounts; and oversized fabrications that
don't fit in a box. Flatbed is the most versatile hot shot setup — it opens oilfield,
construction, and industrial freight simultaneously.
How is HotRig different from other load boards?
Load boards post freight looking for the cheapest carrier. HotRig connects drivers
directly to operators posting
recurring positions — not one-off spot
freight. Every flatbed job on HotRig is a direct-hire or long-term contract opportunity
from a vetted oilfield or construction operator, not a broker searching for the lowest
bid. You apply, the operator contacts you, you set your rate. No per-load fees,
no broker cut on every run.
See how HotRig pricing works →
Can I get job alerts for flatbed loads only?
Yes. HotRig's job alert system lets you filter by equipment type — select
Flatbed and you'll receive email alerts only when flatbed hot shot
positions are posted. You can also filter by state and minimum pay per mile so you only
hear about loads that match your setup and rate floor. Alerts are free, delivered by email,
and one-click unsubscribable.
Sign up above →
40ft deck. 1-ton dually.
HotRig connects flatbed operators to the loads that pay.
Free to post. Free to sign up. No recruiter cut.