Best Path to Heavy Haul?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by ArtistNATruck, Dec 21, 2014.

  1. ArtistNATruck

    ArtistNATruck Bobtail Member

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    Dec 21, 2014
    Wichita, Ks
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    I am just re-entering the industry after an 8 year hiatus. Currently I am operating with Schneider on a Dedicated Team Truck. I plan to stay here until the end of 2015, but after that I want to move on to something else.

    I keep seeing these ATS (ATC?) Trucks hauling these massive Wind Turbine parts and can't help but think how incredibly challenging that must be, how rewarding. I'm not saying that I necessarily want to do that specific job, but something like that.

    What is the best path to working Heavy Haul? Flatbed-Stepdeck-Oversize? All the above? What order? How much time should be spent with each (given a slightly above average ability to learn quickly)? Currently I am taking home around $1k/wk and something that I need to maintain, with that in mind, which companies are best (I know very subjective) to gain experience with? Also which companies will allow me to stay in the Central US, or Central to Pacific? I have no desire to ever cross the Mississippi again, and I draw the line at the Ohio. Will I need/want to own my own truck or can you still earn high wages as a company driver?

    Thank you in advance for all serious responses. If you require more information from me to better answer my question please don't hesitate to ask.
     
    Chinatown and moloko Thank this.
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  3. moloko

    moloko Road Train Member

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    The best path to heavy haul is starting out small. You need to start out transporting morbidly obese disabled people in a 26' box van, to and from their lapband surgery appointments. Gradually increase the weight to include their HoverRound Mobility Scooters, wheel chairs , snack bags, and you will be well on your way my friend. Don't forget to strap them down with flatbed straps. Get your wench bar and make those straps nice and tight.
     
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Your profile shows you have 4 yrs. driving. That's plenty to go directly into heavy haul with most companies.Some heavy haul, I know of 3, hire new CDL grads, so you're qualified. Don't worry, they will train you.
     
    PouringBeard, 201 and ArtistNATruck Thank this.
  5. 315wheelbase

    315wheelbase Heavy Load Member

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    forget about the windmill blades and towers,, not many being moved since the feds cut out subsidies,,,,and the money is not that great

    go buy a 3 axle tractor and a 2 axle RGN and have at it,, start with small stuff first and work your way up,, it ain't rocket science just takes being carefull and triple checking you load..
     
  6. ArtistNATruck

    ArtistNATruck Bobtail Member

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    Dec 21, 2014
    Wichita, Ks
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    Chinatown- Thanks for the reply! Are the companies that higher CDL grads going to start in the basement for experience like other companies? From what I've seen companies generally don't offer great pay and benefits for those with no experience. While I do have previous experience, 3.5 years worth, only 3 months is recent. It seems that most companies won't acknowledge that experience because of the length of time in between. Schneider certainly didn't, they are treating me as though I just received my CDL for the first time, even though my skills not only did not degrade much, but they have come back very quickly and in some areas have even improved drastically.
     
    Lepton1 and Chinatown Thank this.
  7. ArtistNATruck

    ArtistNATruck Bobtail Member

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    Dec 21, 2014
    Wichita, Ks
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    I drive I-70 exclusively everyday between Topeka, Ks and Denver, Co. I see at minimum 3 Trucks a day with Turbine Blades on them. Yesterday in fact I saw 9 Trucks, 6 coming out of Denver with Blades and Tower Bases, and 3 more coming from the east somewhere with Blades. But as I said in my post I am not specifically interested in this specific job, just Oversize and Heavy Haul in General. About 3 weeks ago outside of Bennett, Co I saw some monstrosity of a thing with more than 20 axles being pulled by one truck and pushed by 3 others. They had multiple escort vehicles and even LE. I saw that and thought "Man that must be fun!!"
     
  8. moloko

    moloko Road Train Member

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    i haven't been out that way in years but it seems like a nice drive on flat land with the cruise control on, once you get out of the Denver metro area.
     
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  9. ArtistNATruck

    ArtistNATruck Bobtail Member

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    Dec 21, 2014
    Wichita, Ks
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    Moloko- Not as much as you'd think actually. I mean no it's not the Rockie Mountains or anything. But its not 100% Flat either, although yes I do leave the cruise on and overall its a pretty boring drive. My biggest challenge from day to day is staying awake!
     
  10. catalinaflyer

    catalinaflyer Road Train Member

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    Unlike another poster suggested, it doesn't matter if you have 4 days, 4 years or 40 years of driving experience, you will not go directly into heavy-haul anywhere and if there is a company stupid enough to put someone directly in heavy/specialized hauling without experience in the field you won't last long and your CSA/Driving record will have you unemployed at best or a fatality at worst.

    As for wanting to stay in a specific area and do heavy/specialized AND make $XXXX.XX per week, most likely not going to happen. I do specialized work and the work takes me to all 48 states as well as Canada. I've spent 26 years working my way up from flatbed to small oversize to bigger stuff.

    You can get where you want to be in the industry but it's going to take a few years at least to get there.
     
    Ougigoug, Jumbo, Lepton1 and 1 other person Thank this.
  11. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Mc Donald w/ fries and a extra large chocolate shake. Will get your to Heavy Haul fairly quick
     
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