Switching from hotshot to Flatbed

[Chamberpains]

What you're describing is the trucking industry all in general. All you're simply doing is switching from a Hotshot operation to a normal 80,000 lbs. operation. if you think Hotshot operations are washed out with idiots that can't run a calculator then wait till you step into the full on trucking Market. be fully prepared to deal with the same crap you did as a Hotshot. Only now it's going to cost you a hell of a lot more.
But with bigger risks come bigger rewards. If you do them properly. This site is chocked-full of people that know exactly how to do that. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. We all learn from each other. You will want to read Rawze's book on the homepage. You may think you don't have to because you've been in the trucking industry for a while, but there is a lot of useful information to give you a general sense on how full truckload operations work. And how to maintain your equipment and things of that nature. It's well worth the read even if you already know it all.
Good luck for your search of the $40K truck. It's a good setup for what you're planning on doing. But your right in the price range we all would love to spend on that set up and not have it be a rundown piece of junk. Or on its way out with major repairs. I'm not telling you this to scare you. But I believe you're going to get a bit of an eye-opening experience (hopefully not) of how big these numbers get and fast.