A few questions about this area of Trucking.

I have been driving dry van/reefer since I started my legal Commercial Driving (I had been hauling bulls previously, without a CDL as I did not know I needed one to do it.). I have 0 Experience Driving Tanker. I have my endorsements (Double/Triple, and Hazmat + Tanker) I live in East Texas. Everything I own would fit into my small car. I have no lease commitment on my apartment anymore.

I can move to Midland/Odessa Laredo Big Springs, etc; Essentially I could go where the money is. But what could I expect to find there? I have been itching for a change, thinking about Hotshot/Expedited/LTL and other transportation jobs. The work doesn't bother me. I don't have a wife or kids, and I have a gypsy soul. I've lived in a camper before, and did not mind. So I think that area of the life would be fine.

What is the work like? I know it's dirty and dangerous, but that is about it. Would they hire me with no tanker experience? How much would I be able to make without the tanker experience.

What sorts of Jobs are available?

I know some of the names, but not what the job itself is like. Frac Sand, Water, Crude Oil.

I want to know how much these pay, and what the work is like mostly. And if I could even break into them without experience. I'd personally OPT for Midland/Odessa since I know the area better, but further south would be fine. Or Further West. I want to stay in Texas though, I know the money is intense in ND but the state as a whole sucks in my experience.

I have 2 years of experience with my current employer OTR dry van. And a bit over a year of Reefer Exp, also OTR. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

I am not a fan of Dakota in general, especially with the cold months in view but I have considered it. I was in Dickinson for about 3 weeks when I broke down up there, and I walked around the Tiger Truckstop (Think it's in Dickinson ND.) And talked to a bunch of the frac sand/water guys. I have #'s and what not to call if I want to fish that way. But it seems very expensive to live up there, and when the snow/ice comes seems like it would be a nightmare. Going through those areas during the cold months on the interstate is almost impossible during a dusting. I can only imagine what the rustic roads are like.


I would have just read, but a lot of the posts I was looking at were months, or years old. So I wanted to see if the information was still current. I've been handing out my business cards to drivers I see in the field, I figure if they get referrals they'll make sure to pass them on for me, since I don't live in the area some of the smaller outfits will be hard to find. I've done this in Laredo / Cotulla / Midland and a few other places. Thanks for the info, I'll just dig I guess.