How much experience needed.....

Depends on the company really. Where do you live? Most companies are going to give you some kind of training if you move into hauling tanks. May or may not require going on the road with a trainer.

 

Most want a year. But if you go tanker I would imagine you would have some training on how to operate the valves, etc.

 

There are companies that'll train for a few days then turn you loose when you feel comfortable enough.You already know how to drive trk learning tanks isn't that complicated.You just need to look.But some may require more exp driving trk then 6 months.

 

Change your thinking and mindset around.

You want a good trainer. Ride with same. You will build up enough of money to endure training with no pay, but not until you have that money in hand to go train in tankers. That mean you will have to kick the vans around a little longer.

Believe me, I would like to see you out on your own with your first tanker asap... however due to the myriad technical things to learn about tankers and everything about them you WANT to be with a trainer for as long you can soak into it. If you had a hazmat load of gasoline and went into the old harbor tunnel instead of knowing to take the bypass Keybridge for hazmat routes... you would be in a heap of trouble.

 

I recently moved from vans (almost 25 years) to tankers. If you have van ecperience AND ARE WILLING TO CHANGE YOUR HABITS, you probably only need a day or two of traing HOW TO DRIVE a tanker. I got good or excellent classroom training & 2 weeks with a trainer. I felt 1 day of driving was enough but I would have preferred 20-30 loading/unloadings and not all of the miles. The loading/unloading is the important part IF YOU DRIVE LIKE YOU ARE INSTRUCTED.

I was hoping to spend the 2 weeks working local loading/unloading instead of driving 10-11 hour days. I know how to make miles. What's that thingamajig you turn and do you turn it left or right & before or after you pump that doohikey?

 

You're in an excellent location for tanker work. You won't be with a trainer but maybe a week or two.
Check these companies that pay well:
McKenzie Tank Lines
Trimac Transportation
Schneider Bulk
A&R Logistics
CTL Transportation
SVTN (Service Transport)
Superior-Carriers
Tidewater Transit

SVTN (Service Transport) photo.

 

I think Tidewater has terminal in Channelview,TX