Is tanker driving physically demanding?

As others have stated it all depends on what you get into.

For me, a typical day is, climb 1 set of stairs, load, come down said stairs, Then drive anywhere from 5 miles to 130 miles. Depending on the BOL. Then get out of the truck, Hook up 1 discharge hose at the back and hook up 1 air hose 18 inchs over . Open all valves, make SURE there's no leaks and wait 20 mins to 40 mins (depending on the location) then do all in reverse and repeat. Depending on demand. ALL at ground level!!!

As far as "trannys" go, I have only ever driven manuals except for one time that they wanted to give me a "2007 Pete" with an Automatic in it and I HATED IT!!!

However, I am now going to speak heresy!!!


The company I just switched to has brand new (2014s)KWs with 18 speed Eaton Automatics and I absolutely love them. I have only been driving it for 10 days now. But on my usual runs I have to go over 2 passes that are MINIMUM 5500 ft (1 at 6200) and they work great. I have figured out how to use them properly in conjunction with how the tractor works and I think it works great!!!

Now again, they are brand new and haven't been torn up and abused by other crappy drivers yet! I also don't know if technology has finally improved???

So, Anyhow. Good luck

 

Question for you:

If your delivering chemicals for a company, then what does the tank wash have to do with your delivery? Do you take it to another location to be washed out after making the chemical delivery. Just not understanding when a company says they are a tank wash.

Such as: This is what they call their self

A J Weigand Inc Tank Wash

Didn't know if you could help


Thanks if you can

 

A tank wash is exactly what it says. They seal off your tank and "wash" the inside.

When I deliver one kind of chemical, there is "residue" left inside. It's technically never "empty". In order to load another chemical that is compatible with the type of trailer used. Simple common sense. Not a good idea to mix chemicals. It MUST be "washed" inside to remove ALL residue from the previous chemical. It must be at a "certified" wash and you must get a certificate stating it has been "certified" clean.

That's why food grade tanks are always smooth bore.

 

Thanks for the help,

So they would wash it right at where you are delivering and certifed right then

 

Depends. WE go to an outside tank wash. We don't have our own.

 

I don't know many D&H tankers, personally I ran hot asphalt and had to load and unload it which was very dangerous but only somewhat physically demanding, light climbing...

It 'can' be stressful if you forget you're pulling a tanker and try to stop or turn to quickly, other than keeping that upfront, it's driving a truck...Made great money running that but it's seasonal where I live...

 

Been retired from tanking for 1 1/2 yrs. now but if memory serves correctly the states are: Arkansas, Arizona, Nevada and Ohio.

 

Great reply for hauling fuel.I did it just long enough to learn it.The heat,dragging hoses,and smell of gas all day were not for me.I also had to slip seat,so you waited
for the truck,or made the same guy mad if you got back late.
The loading racks were the most stressful for me.Like you said,mess up,get kicked out.
I always felt if I loaded too slow the guys behind me would get p,o.but you had to line up hoses for the right compartments,and enter job,do paper,get print outs,
and make sure not to make any mistakes.
Go to stores fight traffic,and vendors at stores,and try to get 3-5 loads a day.
I may have liked it better if I was hauling jet fuel.Those racks were always quick in/out.

 

I haul crude in Texas, I've never even been on top of my tanker....they actually remove our ladders so we WON'T go topside. I do climb stairs 4-8 times each day though. IMHO water haulers work/hustle more than crude haulers but they often get paid more over-all.