Hauling tankers

It's not as hard as you imagine. The customers are FAR better than dry van and in a different universe from the gawd-awful reefer customers. The endorsement test is easy. They ask in 8 different ways "what is the purpose of baffled tanks", "does thick fluid or thin fluid surge more".

The surge is real but it's nothing a normal driver cannot control. You can brake hard or you can steer hard (sometimes) but you can almost never do both and stay upright. The surge is dramatic at very slow speeds, but not that dangerous. You always slow to ramp speeds before you get into the turn.

Almost every tanker driver has said "I should have done this sooner." Do it.

 

I went to one in Holly Hill, SC

 

Schneider has a good tanker program and also has local/regional/OTR.
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Tanker truck driving jobs | Schneider
Tanker truck driving jobs | Schneider

Schneider was the first in the industry to successfully deploy a Tanker trailer that also fits seamlessly on a train, and customers are continually discovering the value. You’ll haul liquid bulk chemicals in a 40-foot tank trailer that can be used on the rail and over-the …

 

I start my fuel hauling career tomorrow. I have been driving class A cdl for 7 years 53ft van. I had a opportunity to join a fuel hauling company hear in Ohio so I decided to do it. Do most drivers have a easy time learning the job? Any advice on what to expect or what I can do to help make my transition smooth for me and the company? Is going to the fuel terminals a simple process and pretty self explanatory on what ur doing? I know I have allot to learn about this side of trucking but I am excited to start.

 

there are some fuel hauling threads in here with some A1 advice I’d search them up
Also watch this video…. It’s is the whole job in its entirety outside of what you’ve already done

 

Hauling fuel your out in the weather all day long…..

Personally I think it sucks. And doesn’t pay enough to cover the aggravation factor.

 

30 bucks an hour to drive to the gas station and get a bag of chips?

 

Always have to wear long pants. I couldn’t do it

 

Yes it's easy to learn. You will be sore at first, there are muscles you never knew you had that'll hurt. You get used to it.

Listen to your trainer. At first you'll be slow, we all were. But one day you'll be just as fast as everyone else but you didn't change anything. You just learned the steps to the dance. Get into a safe routine and stay there.

Always walk your hoses before opening a valve. Every fuel driver has hooked up to the wrong tank at least once but all that matters is did you catch it or contaminate a tank.

Don't do shortcuts.
They don't save time.
You can only defer time.
Whatever time you save doing shortcuts builds up until you're paying it back in the bosses office explaining why things went wrong.

I've known guys that have died but overall I believe it's one of the safest types of driving. Don't dwell on the scary stories. Respect the load.

It's a great job, I did it for about 8 years in the SF area. Six loads a day, in and out of the truck keeps you fit. Enjoy