Who this is for
This page is for owner-operators and small fleets (1–10 trucks) with MC authority at least 6 months old running open deck — flatbed, step deck, conestoga or hotshot. You already know the boards underpay and leave long empty miles. You want a desk that filters weight-legal loads, negotiates the all-in rate, and lets you approve every rate con.
We work best with carriers who run Texas and the steel belt (Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Oklahoma) and who keep their own preferred lanes. Newer authorities are accepted, and brokers treat an MC with 6+ months of active authority with established eligibility.
Who this isn’t for
If you want forced dispatch or a desk that books without your say-so, we are not the fit. If you only run dry van or reefer and never open deck, other desks will serve you better. Brand-new authorities under 6 months can still work with us, but we will tell you up front when a broker is likely to pass because of the age of the MC.
Self-dispatch still wins if you already have direct shipper accounts and spare phone time. Hire a desk when after-hours expedites and broker credit checks eat your driving hours.
What does a hotshot dispatch service actually do?
A hotshot dispatch desk works under your MC to find gooseneck-appropriate loads, negotiate rate and accessorials, vet brokers, and send you a full rate confirmation for approval — you drive, they chase the next partial.
We search the boards and our broker list, check GVWR against your truck and trailer, pull days-to-pay and credit on any new broker, negotiate rate and accessorials, and send you the full rate con. You approve or pass. Once you take it we handle carrier packets, invoicing, factoring paperwork, and pursuit of detention, TONU (truck-ordered-not-used pay when a broker cancels after you are dispatched), layover and tarp pay. You get a weekly gross report.
Hours follow your U.S. business hours; we stay reachable 24/7 while a truck is under load. Spanish-speaking carriers can text, email or WhatsApp; phone calls are English only.
What freight and equipment does hotshot dispatch cover?
Hotshot freight is oilfield equipment and pipe, construction materials and tools, urgent parts, and LTL partials that move faster than a 53-footer can justify. Typical equipment is a one-ton dually (F-350 / Ram 3500 class) pulling a 30–40 ft gooseneck.
We run Texas lanes every day and keep steady volume in the steel belt. We also actively cover hotshot and flatbed freight across the Permian Basin.
Industry planning ranges for hotshot rates as of 2026 sit roughly $1.50–$2.50 per mile on standard loads and $2.50–$4.00+ on expedited or oilfield work; actual numbers move with lane, weight and urgency. Results vary by market conditions.
Do I need a CDL for hotshot loads?
You need a Class A CDL when the combination’s GCWR (gross combination weight rating) is 26,001 pounds or more and the trailer’s GVWR exceeds 10,000 pounds.
Federal rule:
“Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).” — 49 CFR 383.91(a)(1) (eCFR)
A common non-CDL setup is a one-ton dually rated around 14,000 lb GVWR paired with a gooseneck rated 12,000 lb or less, keeping the combined rating at or under 26,000 lb. Practical payload after tare is often 8,000–10,500 lb.
We verify GVWR against your exact labels before we send a load. Overweight at the scale is on us if we missed it. Even non-CDL combinations over 10,001 lb GCWR are commercial motor vehicles for HOS and ELD purposes in interstate commerce.
| Setup | Typical ratings | CDL required? | Practical payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-CDL | Truck ~14k + trailer ≤12k | No (if under 26,001 combined) | ~8,000–10,500 lb |
| Class A | Combined GCWR ≥26,001 and trailer >10k | Yes | Higher, limited by ratings and axle laws |
How much does a hotshot dispatcher charge?
Most hotshot desks charge 5–10% of gross or a flat weekly fee. Candor charges 7–11% of the carrier’s gross per load. There is no weekly fee, no setup fee, and no termination fee. Multi-truck fleets can discuss the rate. Full details are outlined in our fee structure below.
No long-term contract. Cancel with written notice. You approve every load.
Worked example (illustrative only; results vary): Ten partials at $900 each = $9,000 gross. At 8% the fee is $720. If the desk sequences those partials so you run fewer empty miles and catches one higher-paying expedite that week, the net after fee is still better than sitting or taking lowboard freight alone. Judge the desk on sequence quality and all-in rate, not just booking count.
| Model | Typical range | Candor |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of gross | 5–10% | 7–11% |
| Weekly / setup / termination | Often charged | None |
| Contract | Varies | None; cancel with written notice |
How does hotshot dispatch cut empty miles and underpaid board loads?
Load boards alone underpay hotshots and leave long empty miles. A specialist desk filters for weight-legal, directionally smart partials, negotiates the rate instead of taking the first post, and keeps broker relationships that never hit the public boards. That is how deadhead shrinks and the all-in rate improves.
We treat TONU negotiation as standard practice, not a special request. Detention and tarp pay go on the rate con before you roll.
How does Candor’s hotshot dispatch process work?
You send MC docs, equipment specs and preferred lanes. We search, vet, negotiate and send rate cons for your approval. You cancel with written notice. No forced dispatch.
Candor Trucking is an open-deck truck dispatch service for owner-operators and small fleets. We specialize in flatbed, step deck, conestoga and hotshot freight in Texas and the steel belt, for 7–11% of gross with no contract and no forced dispatch.
Proof and experience
Areas we cover
We cover the lower 48. Primary density is Texas and the steel belt. Nearby metros without their own page still get the same desk — we just do not build separate ranking pages for every city.
Sources
- 49 CFR 383.91 — Commercial motor vehicle groups. eCFR / FMCSA (checked 2026-10-12).
- FMCSA Drivers — CDL classes. FMCSA (checked 2026-10-12).
- FMCSA Hours of Service overview. FMCSA (checked 2026-10-12).
Hotshot dispatch FAQ
Can non-CDL hotshot carriers use a dispatch service?
Yes. We support non-CDL setups that stay under the 26,001 lb GCWR line with a trailer under or at the matching rating. We check the labels and the actual weight before we send a load.
Do you force loads or require a long-term contract?
No. You approve every rate con. There is no long-term contract; cancel with written notice.
What lanes and niches do you specialize in?
Open-deck — flatbed, step deck, conestoga and hotshot — with heaviest volume in Texas and the steel belt. Oilfield, construction and expedite partials are the core.
How fast can I get my first load?
Once authority, insurance and equipment details are in, we start searching the same day.
Do you handle factoring paperwork and weekly gross reports?
Yes. Carrier packets, rate cons, invoicing, factoring paperwork, detention/TONU/layover/tarp pursuit, and weekly gross reports are included.
Can Spanish-speaking carriers text or WhatsApp?
Yes. Text, email or WhatsApp in Spanish; phone calls are English only.