Hello everyone,

As I continue relocating to the Northwoods of Wisconsin, I'm thinking about resuming hotshot trucking along a regular route I travel weekly from the Chicago area. Considering my experience hauling everything from cars to bulldozers, I'm exploring offering a tailored transport service from Bloomington, IL to Ironwood, MI, primarily following the 39/51 corridor, with possible extensions west to Hayward, WI, and east to the lake.

Service Details:

• Route Flexibility: The main path would include pickups and deliveries between Bloomington IL and Ironwood MI. (those are the most often furthest points, for this assumption)
• Transport Capabilities: My setup features a robust light truck and trailer, capable of transporting everything from small personal items to heavy equipment.
• Instant Quote App: I'm developing an app to simplify bookings. It will provide instant cost estimates based on the out-of-route distance, reserved space, and cargo weight, offering transparency and convenience.
• How It Works: Similar to booking a chartered flight, you'd input item type, origin, and destination. The app would offer available dates, estimated arrival times, and total costs. Note: This service is for driveway drops only (e.g., I won't carry items into your home).

What I Offer:

• Fixed Routes with Flexibility for Detours: Known as 'deadheading' in trucking, I'm open to detours within a 50-mile range for an additional fee. For instance, a detour to Ashland Junction would be extra as it's 43 miles off my route.
• Reservation System: You can book in advance for:
  • Small items (less than 1/4 of the truck bed)
  • Full truck bed spots (think a couch, chair and a table or a used car engine and transmission)
  • Entire trailer space (prefeered items weigh less than 12,000 pounds)
• Special Requests: I can procure specific items from stores not available in the north, like those south of Rhinelander. You might need someone to stop and pickup a bag of beans Antioch, and for whatever reason, its worth a few more bucks if say you knew you could have them there as soon Tuesday night, and you are looking at the app on Monday morning)

Feedback Needed:

While I've got the business side covered, I'm interested in your input on:

• Utility: How often might you use this service?
• Specific Needs: What types of items or cargo do you / would you need transported, if this exists or had existed before say in the last 2-3 years?
• Extra Services: Is there interest in a regular or ad-hoc shuttle service?

This endeavor isn't just business for me—it's about optimizing my necessary travels and possibly assisting the community by sharing resources. All logistics will be managed professionally, including insurance and reasonable fees, to ensure reliable service.

I’m eager to hear whether such a service could meet your needs, and I'm open to adjusting my offerings based on the feedback I receive here.

Thank you for your input!