Livestock

So we're a last resort , huh ? . Well , I know a place that lists livestock loads but forum rules prevent me from posting a link to it . I think I can give you a hint . If U want to SHIP something cheap go there . But that's the problem . Loads go to the cheapest bid which is often ridiculously low . You will definitely be over 10,000 lbs. GCWR so you will be subject to FMCSA regulation and need MC authority to be legal . That's another problem there . Many people getting bids are clearly running illegal and don't have the expense of required insurance , etc . But don't even think of running that way . A new member at the forums there is an FMCSA inspector . He can check the profile of any member there and see a record of their hauls and whether they have MC authority .

 

O.K. . I apologize . Do you have any meat packing plants or auction houses in your area ? The best thing to do would be to talk to drivers there .

 

You need to be in an area that has alot of livestock travel. Preferably you need to be close to one of the ends of the travel lanes. are you close to packing plants or large sale barns?
You also will find it hard to get on with a big co. if you don't have any livestock exp. Livestock hauling takes alot of "feeling". You have to know the movement of your trl. due to movement. You have to keep the animals standing up or they will get their airways crushed or legs broken. Alot of hands on loading and unloading. They just don't always walk on and walk off.
Best bet is to find a farmer that has a couple of pots . They usually have a couple extra trls. like grain wagons or flats also so you can get other exp. when livestock slows down.

 

I agree with HAPPY
U admit to limited experience and been out a while (off the road)

Take some advise(not being a smart ##### either just advise)

Get some experience at least another year pulling van, logs, hopper anything before u pull cattle,pigs
These thing don't sit still move side to side tussle each other etc it is not a smooth ride and with limited exp ( per yourself) u may wind up in the median or worse this will put a damper on any future jobs u may want to get into Ie ... Van , reffer, flatbed down the road and if u have an accident pulling a bullrack chances are your logs will be off ( not legal) due to extreme time sensitive freight rush, rush no sleep ....
If u didn't kill anyone (god forbid) or your self (". ") you will ruin your career before it got a chance to start it .

Bull racks are worse than liquid tanks in the respect that tanks have baffles ( most anyway) to control movement . Bull racks uncontroled and at any time for instance you could be on the phone or listening to radio and a Cow (2000 pounds) desires to move around causing 3 others to now 6/9000 pound shift if you have never experienced it in a van let alone bull rack with live emotion don't (till u get more time) slightest over correction or brake will turn u over .
What if you are passing another car or truck (then what) .....

Just think about it money sounds good but u have a family think about that first and others before you go at this half ####ed. My advise as states get another year at least

I have 10 and 14 with miitary I wouldn't pull one
I have no tickets or accidents and almost 1,750,000 safe miles

Word to the wise

 

I just want to toot my horn alittle about this subject, and I darn sure dont wanna butt in on anyones parade, but hope I can help. I have about 20 years or so exp. hauling livestock.
I agree with everything everyone has told you so far, but let me give you a few more tips and info.

• 90% of the time I have been paid on %. Sometimes you might have a load the other way, but also sometimes you may have alot of deadhead miles, especially when your hauling ranch to ranch. So the rate has to also include deadhead miles. % of nothing = nothing. So make sure the rate is appropriatefor the load (duh)
• When hauling for a feedlot, or a kill plant, you need to load heavy as they want you to cross their scales with a payload. Loading 82-84 is common. So plan ahead, and dont bring everything but the kitchen sink in your truck.
• As far as being with the livestock.....all that will come in time, and you will one day be able to look at cattle and pretty much tell their weight.
• When loading or un-loading calves, they will need abit of direction. its ok to get inside with them, but ALWAYS approach them walking backwards. Gettin kicked in the nuts hurts. Stay out of the truck when loading or un-loadig adult cattle or you wont know you just got kicked in the nuts until the next day.
• Yes by golly they do move around on you when traveling, but if they are loaded properly they wont give you a real bad time. Bulls will fight sometimes, but again if you load them right, you wont have a problem.
• And last, just drive easy. Start off easy and come to a stop easy. Plan your stops, look ahead, anticipate the possiblitys and problabilitys.
• Once your loaded you have to go. No fartin around. I have no problem keeping those cattle on the truck for 30 hours before finding a place to off load them for water or feed as long as they are loaded correctly. (That was my evil twin step brother that said that for all you SPCA folks). God I hate that guy.
• When you pull into a truck stop, be polite and park in the rear. Nothing worse then a bunch of bawlin calves when your tryin to sleep. And by all means, park off away from everyone. Produce boys dont like #### on their lights. I dont blame them, do you?

I live in Cali, and we usually haul cattle out of state, and look for anything back home. I wont haul hogs because I have pride. Most outfits from the mid-west haul hogs into Ca, and cheap cattle back out. Most cattle that leave Ca are headed to feedlots in the mid-west (Neb, Co, Kan). Hauling livestock is very different. No wait time to speak of. Your load is usually waiting for you when you get there, and the livestock is ready to get off when you arrive. No urban BS, No dock bosses. But driving is tough. And you WILL meet some the best people in the world.
I dont know if I have helped you, but I sure hope I have. Good luck to ya.
PS Bring along an extra set of clothes....#### happens

 

Northernblue,

Great post! I've always done alotta thinkin about draggin bull wagons, but never had a real means or lead into it, to figgure out how to make that leap, from reefer freight. You put it in perspective with that post.

There are rare gems of drivers out there that I'd be happy to buy dinner for, in exchange for the opportunity to pick their brains. You're one of them.

I'm also thinkin your line of haul, is recesion proof, somewhat at least?

Please continue...

 

Well thanks for the reply. The problem I have now is that this small outfit I have been with for so long is closed its doors. Its not a trucking co, just a ranch. Fuel cost killed them. I have kinda been their number 1 man for along time and now Im lookin for work. I use to haul refer freight but its been along time. Im lookin, but Im sure I will have to go to one of their schools or some kind of horse crap deal and my ego is gettin in my way. I I hope egos are edible because I think thats what I will be doin with mine.

As far as the livestock deal, I think everyone should try it once. Its kinda fun, and I personally think it will make a good solid driver out of ya. Just my opinion though.
I wouldnt mind hookin up with one of those pretty produce outfits like 550's though.