
Love’s travel stop in Florida won’t allow truck parking during bike week.
The Love’s travel stop in Ormond Beach of I-95 will not allow trucks to park from March 10–19 due to the increased traffic resulting from Bike Week. In the past, local law enforcement officials say there have been up to three miles of backups on I-1 and 1-95 near the Love’s location because of the event. Trucks will still be allowed to fuel up at the location.
There are over 7,000 locations for parking in the Trucker Path app. Be sure to plan ahead to find locations with available truck parking nearby. Search for TA & Petro, Pilot & Flying J, independent truck stops and Walmarts that allow overnight truck parking.

“In the past when we attempted to impose 30-minute parking limits for trucks, it was difficult to enforce. The increased traffic volumes for truckers waiting to fuel – combined with the significant influx of cars, trucks and bikes during that week – caused traffic jams to the point that State Police had to close the exit. Love’s wants to provide the necessary fueling for our professional truck driver Customers, but to ensure that is still available, we need to keep the trucks moving in and out at that exit.”
Love’s Location: 1657 US Hwy 1, Ormond Beach, FL 32174.




How to Start a Hotshot Trucking Business
[p]Ever wondered how to be your own boss while enjoying beautiful sceneries across America?
The freight industry is the backbone of America’s economy contributing more than <a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/gdp-from-transport">500 billion USD</a> every quarter and the numbers are increasing each year. It’s a lucrative industry which gives handsome rewards. However, it is not easy getting into traditional trucking due to the requirements needed.[/p]
[p]What if there was a way to be a part of the trucking industry without dealing with all the hassle? The good news is there is a sure-fire way of being a part of the trucking industry and you can get started in a few days. What is it, you ask? The answer to that question is “Hotshot Trucking”. But there are still a few requirements before you are eligible to haul freight. Fortunately, these requirements are easy to complete and we will explain everything step by step below.
[/p]
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[p][b]What is Hotshot trucking? [/b][/p]
[p]Hotshot truck drivers are freelancers who work privately carrying freight from one point to the other without any employer restrictions or scheduling restrictions. In other words, you are your boss and you can choose when to earn and how much to earn. All you need is a medium or heavy-duty truck with at least 7,000 pounds of hauling force and a trailer. A Dodge Ram 3500, a Toyota Tacoma, or any version of the Ford F-series truck can work well. [/p]
[p]Currently, around 70% of the goods you can find on the shelves are transported by hotshot truckers and independent freight transporters. According to estimates, the trucking industry is expected to grow by 2.3% yearly till 2024. With freight volumes increasing day by day it is the perfect time to set up your own hotshot trucking business.
[/p]
[p][b]Pros and cons of Hotshot Trucking?[/b][/p]
[p]Hotshot Trucking comes with a lot of advantages especially if you want to kick-off your trucking business easily. But be wary also of some limitations and trade-offs when entering this kind of trucking business.
[/p]
[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/How-to-Start-a-Hotshot-Trucking-Business-pros_and_cons_table.png" alt=""]
[p][b]How to Begin?[/b][/p]
[p]Now that you have a basic idea of hotshot trucking let’s get started on the specifics: [/p]
<h2></h2>
[p][b]Set up an LLC[/b][/p]
[p]You need to set up a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and register it with your state. This is the first step in registering your business and it doesn't matter if you are working alone or if you intend to invite others to join in with you, setting up a legal company gives you many <a href="https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/advantages-of-an-llc">benefits</a> such as:[/p]
<ul>
<li>Limited personal liability</li>
<li>Less paperwork</li>
<li>Tax advantages</li>
<li>Ownership and Management flexibility</li>
<li>Flexible profit distribution</li>
</ul>
[p][b]Register With the Tax Authorities [/b][/p]
[p]Once you have your LLC set up, the next step is to get a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayer-identification-numbers-tin">Tax ID</a> to go with your business. The tax ID or the Employer Identification Number (EIN) will allow you to receive checks and other forms of payments directly to your business account. That takes us to our next step. [/p]
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/How-to-Start-a-Hotshot-Trucking-Business-make_a_business_bank_account.jpg" alt=""]
[p][b]Make a Business Bank Account[/b][/p]
[p]A separate bank account will allow you to divert all your business-related transactions to your business bank account. This allows you to keep track of your expenditures while also giving you the liberty to make and receive payments.[/p]
[p][b]Apply for a CDL (optional)[/b][/p]
[p]Hotshot trucking does not require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) since in most cases you won’t be exceeding the gross weight limit determined by the authorities. [/p]
[p]You don’t need a CDL if: [/p]
<ul>
<li>If the total weight you are pulling is less than 10,000 pounds.</li>
<li>If the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is less than 26,000 pounds. </li>
</ul>
[p]Getting a CDL is no easy task. You have to enlist in a reputable training academy, go through several weeks of training, and then apply as well as pass the CDL exam. Therefore, it is better to forego this requirement in the early stages of your business but its best to acquire the license once your business is up and running.
[/p]
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/How-to-Start-a-Hotshot-Trucking-Business-acquire_relevant_equipment-1.jpg" alt=""]
[p][b]Acquire Relevant Equipment [/b][/p]
[p]As you know, hotshot trucking involves a lot of hauling and towing. It is important to have a sturdy and reliable truck if you want to save yourself a lot of grief later. You will need a good medium to heavy-duty truck with a lot of power (around 400HP) to pull at least a ton and a 30 ft. gooseneck flatbed trailer to begin. A decent truck can cost from $15,000 to $60,000. A good trailer costs from $7,000 to $25,000. It is up to you to decide how much you want to invest in the business initially. If you already have a truck at home and you don’t intend to get a CDL right away then you can save money by buying a cheap trailer and starting your business with minimum investment. [/p]
<h2></h2>
[p][b]Further Government Approvals [/b][/p]
[p]It is a good idea to register your business with the Department of Transport (DOT) in your state and also with the federal authority if you intend to drive interstate. The state will provide you a DOT number and the federal government authority will give you a Motor Carrier (MC) number. These numbers must be emblazoned on the side of your vehicle. [/p]
<h2></h2>
[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/How-to-Start-a-Hotshot-Trucking-Business-getting_your_first_order.jpg" alt=""]
[p][b]Getting Your First Order [/b][/p]
[p]It’s often difficult to get your first order but there are resources available online that can help you out. You can sign-up and keep an eye out for potential contracts using <a href="https://truckerpath.com/truckloads/free-load-board/">loadboards</a>, which is an online marketplace where truck owner-operators, shippers, and freight brokers can post and search for loads. If a contract fits your requirements you can sign-up with them and begin your hotshot trucking journey. [/p]
<h2></h2>
[p][b]Conclusion [/b][/p]
[p]It is not easy to start a business from scratch and accept profits from the get-go. However, if you work hard, complete all the requirements and stay motivated, you can slice through the initial difficulties and begin expanding and earning handsomely all while being your own boss. [/p]
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[p][b]By Aldous Aldwin[/b][/p]
Truck Driver Weight Loss
[p]Being a truck driver can make weight loss difficult. Sitting in a truck all day and night is not conducive to an active lifestyle. But there is hope that truck driver weight loss can be obtained. Just ask the Dancing Trucker.[/p]
[h2]Truck Driver's Weight Loss Journey[/h2]
[p]We reach for that second piece of pie staring back at us in all its sweet glory. It's a regrettable decision almost immediately. That feeling of overeating strikes and we are reduced to a food-induced coma. Fear not, there are ways you can stay active to improve your overall health and fitness lke the dancing truck driver “Big” John Drury.[/p]
[p]Towering at 6 feet 7 inches tall, “[a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW0wnyHMIwmM-frmCjAvQw"]Big John[/a]” has spent 14 years as a truck driver and is probably the last person you would expect to be a dance instructor.[/p]
[giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/91fEJqgdsnu4E" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy]
[p]You heard that correctly, a larger than life truck driver with a passion for dance that aided in his weight loss as a truck driver.[/p]
[p]In 2007, John weighed 386 pounds and was not pleased with his overall health and fitness. John's decision to lose weight came after his cousin lost his battle with cancer at 37, the same age as John.[/p]
[p]“We all love food but we can't keep carrying extra weight especially with our lifestyle, sitting in a truck all day,” John said. “My cousin passing away was the first time I got serious about losing weight and seeing his young children at his funeral really hit home and was such a sad thing to see.”[/p]
[h2]Reality Check Sparks Truck Drivers Weight Loss[/h2]
[p]Motivated by the tragedy, John began his journey to a slimmer frame by walking on a treadmill daily to drop the extra weight he held. His hard work caused him to lose 50 pounds but soon, he gained it all back.[/p]
[p]Four years passed and [a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW0wnyHMIwmM-frmCjAvQw"]Big John[/a] was determined to get back in shape. He discovered dancing as a way to lose weight in 2011.[/p]
[p]“I found Zumba dance fitness at a local gym and it really worked for me,” John said. “I love music, I grew up with it and I'm a big fan of dance. It's just a big part of who I am regardless of my gender or being a truck driver. I grew up in poverty and dancing kept me out of trouble.”[/p]
[p]Truck drivers often receive negative stereotypes for being overly tough and unfriendly but with Big John, that couldn't be more incorrect.[/p]
[p]“The only downfall at first was that Zumba classes were 100 percent women, I was the only guy and not just any guy, but a tall, intimidating guy," John said. "It took a lot for me to stay in that Zumba room but in the long run it all worked out.”[/p]
[p]Did it ever. After a year, Big John transcended to a modest-sized John, losing nearly 100 pounds and reaching his goal of weighing under 300 pounds thanks to his newfound love for Zumba dance fitness.[/p]
[quote]“The motto that I live by is, start to feel comfortable being uncomfortable,” John said. “That is when we grow as individuals when we push ourselves and that is part of what I do to help others now.”[/quote]
[giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/GoOk4HOs21CbC" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy]
[h2]Tragedy Strikes Again[/h2]
[p]Just as things seemed to fall into place, disaster struck John's family yet again. In April 2015, John's dear mother Sandy lost her life because of a reckless drunk driver. The shock and loss of his mother weighed heavy on John, causing him to slip back into an unhealthy state.[/p]
[p]“It rocked my world, I guess God just wanted her home with him,” said John about his mother. “She was always in Weight Watchers and at the time of her death she was committed to losing weight and walking every day.”[/p]
[p]It wasn't long before he was back to the [a href="https://twitter.com/BigJohnsTruckin"]Big John[/a] of the past, gaining most of the 100 pounds he lost just a few years prior.[/p]
[p]Time went on and John was able to refocus his efforts on weight loss and used dance to propel him. He started Big John's Dance Fitness, sharing his dance routines with others in the hope of inspiring them to change their unhealthy ways.[/p]
[p]“In the long run we are empowered by the weight loss, empowered by believing in ourselves again and the weight loss can go a long way because it affects your whole life,” John said.[/p]
[h2]Family is Everything for a Truck Driver[/h2]
[p]Currently, Big John is halfway to his goal of getting back under 300 pounds and continues to help enable others to be more active and make their health and fitness a priority.[/p]
[p]“The most important thing is those around us; my wife and my two kids, they participate in some of my dance fitness classes and if I love myself I'm going to love those around me that much more,” said Big John.[/p]
[giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/s6yGJEnadD5sc" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy]
[p]John wants his fellow [a href="http://fb.me/truckerpath"]drivers[/a] to know that the best way to start losing weight is to take baby steps.[/p]
[p]“We have to get the excuses out of our head that we don't have the time or are too busy as truck drivers on the road. I know better now," John said. “There’s nothing more empowering than losing weight.”[/p]
Everything Truck Drivers Need to Know About Deadhead
[p]If you are a new driver or maybe just received authority as an owner-operator, understanding what deadhead is can be critical when searching for the right load.[/p]
[h2]What is Deadhead?[/h2]
[p]Deadhead in trucking is when a [a href="https://app.appsflyer.com/com.sixdays.truckerpath?pid=Social Facebook"]truck driver[/a] is driving with an empty trailer. Since loads aren't found in our backyards, deadhead is usually necessary for owner operators who must drive a certain distance to pick up a load.[/p]
[h2]Does the Trucking Company Pay for Deadhead?[/h2]
[p]Not necessarily. Some trucking companies will pay for deadhead mileage after the first 100 miles, although it isn't required. For example, C.R. England pays independent contractors $.80 per deadhead mile. While company drivers typically get paid for deadhead mileage, owner-operators aren't always as lucky and the cost could come out of pocket.[/p]
[giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/I6aNrs9GW3xNm" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy]
[h2]How to Limit Trucking Deadhead[/h2]
[p]The more often you haul cargo, the more you generally will earn. It's a simple concept. In order to maximize earnings, it's important for a trucker to stay loaded and avoid driving back empty. With the national average diesel prices forecasted to be $2.71 per gallon in 2017 (according to Gas Buddy),driving empty can become a costly issue for owner operators. At that price, a 200-mile deadhead with a Peterbilt or Mack truck that gets around 5 mpg could cost over $100, cutting into the profit a driver might earn. Deadhead might be the last resort if there are no loads nearby.[/p]
[h2]Dangers of Driving with an Empty Trailer[/h2]
[p]Trucking deadhead can be extremely dangerous for truck drivers. Trucks with an empty trailer weigh half as much as full ones. This can be problematic if a trucker is driving through an area with especially high winds. Not only can an empty trailer sway around and be difficult to control, it can flip open, causing serious injury. Be sure to always check the weather reports and wind conditions before heading out to pick up a load with an empty trailer.[/p]
[giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/OPSEsCZSJtnOw" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy]
[h2]Find Freight With Truckloads Free Load Board[/h2]
[p]Truckloads is a [a href="https://app.appsflyer.com/com.truckerpath.truckloads?pid=Social Facebook"]free load board[/a] connecting carriers with shippers. It features unlimited premium loads, customized search options and carriers can call brokers right from the app. Additionally, owner operators can search for over two million monthly loads nearby or based on deadhead. Carriers can also view the rate, days to pay and even view a brokers credit score.[/p]
[video id="snyBYpnuhWw"]
[button-green href="https://truckloads.truckerpath.com/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=deadhead"]Try Truckloads Free![/button-green]