I start tomorrow at TJS in Oakdale, CA.
All food grade tanks.
Mostly milk, I am told.
Local/regional stuff.
I have zero experience with tankers, so I am very much looking forward to this.
I like new challenges.
Very small company.
45 trucks and maybe 4 people in the office staff.
Orientation tomorrow.
Drive test, then whatever else they have to show me.
Been nearly a year since I have driven a 10 speed.
My last truck was a Volvo w/auto.
Had a 2007 FL before that.
(2 years with watkins shepard doing OTR)
This co uses FL with low roof sleepers.
Hope I don't embarrass myself too bad.
Anybody run for this company?
Any advice for a tanker newbie?
1st tanker job. Food grade.
Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by jet460, Sep 16, 2014.
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Go easy. If it is smoothbore tanker you may want to quit after a couple of hours. Really different drive and feel. If baffled not too bad. They will train you. Listen and ask questions. Most tanker problems come from drivers in a hurry or not sticking to their routine. Stick with it and you more then likely will love it.
jet460 Thanks this. -
Food grade tanks are bulk head so you can haul different products @ the same time. No baffles. (Smooth bore)CIP- clean in place. Tag get next load. Drive like your on eggs. They do flop. Your going to like this job.
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They are all smooth bore. Mostly milk. I have been told they pretty rough until you get used to them.
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If you have bad habits like tailgating, you will get in trouble in a hurry.
You may think you can stop ok, but the load has a different opinion.
You'll also learn to shift smoother or get seasick.okiedokie, harlycharly55, jet460 and 1 other person Thank this. -
Starting from a stop going up a grade. A slosh effect will get you. Time your shifts when powering up. About a 3 sec delay and you will learn to use the dynamics of the load to accelerate up the hill.
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Yep, I'm sure there will be a learning curve. I'm up for it.
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First day with TJS today.
Tankers sure are a very different animal than a van.
The surge tosses you around pretty good, and seems to do it when you least want it to.
I definitely have to shift smoothly and take off slow.
The truck they are assigning to me looks pretty nice.
2009 FL Columbia.
Clean inside.
Nice tight gearbox.
Just paperwork and a road test today.
Real work tomorrow.
I think I am going to like this job.Skydivedavec and harlycharly55 Thank this. -
Keep your foot on the brake at traffic lights when you're at a standstill. You'll feel it slopping around. Sure it will toss you around but some liquids are worse than others. I always thought white grape juice was the worst. Milk in comparison is a piece of cake. I hauled food grade for eight years so it gets easier as time unfolds. Now I'm hauling chemicals so it's deja Vu. I still wouldn't change anything. Sure beats tugging a van.
Good luck.Skydivedavec and harlycharly55 Thank this. -
Just did my 1st load of milk from Oakdale, CA to LA.
Straight into the frying pan. lol
No problem at all.
Starting/stopping was a tug-o-war, but it all smooths out easy enough.
I already like this way more than the van stuff.
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