Considering buying a fuel hauler. Advice

Can it be done, Yes.

Can you afford it?

Maybe/maybe not.

Tank-wagon maintenance is costly.

You have to maintain the trailer to 'SPEC using special parts that 'meet' the SPEC as well as the required annual testing, etc.

Then you need to develop work.

Buying a fuel tanker without already having work lined up means a lot of days sitting looking at your new purchase and wonder when the dollars will stop flying out the window and wheels turn bringing dollars in.

Don't forget 'why is the fuel tank available?????'

Does the Scully system need an overhaul?

Do you need to make any alterations in order to load at your local racks?

Don't forget the cost of hoses and drop fittings.

Aluminum work hardens; any small crease over time as every load/unload cycle flexes the barrel will eventually crack and repairs get costly as you can't let just anyone weld on the tank.

Remember that the Visual and Hydro testing means a trip to a cleaning facility to wash and purge the tank [a half to whole day lost] before having it inspected and tested taking another day plus you have to make sure that the water from the hydro didn't mess up the interior and require another trip to the wash rack before returning to revenue service...

Don't forget the 'Awww shucks' moment when some 4 wheeler drives past your warning cones and drives over a grand or so in hoses...happens every day.

OP needs to really study this.

 

Not sure what you mean by buying a fuel hauler but I can tell you in the northeast the rates aren't really worth it for all the expense and responsibility that comes with it. Best off to lease on with someone first for awhile and you'll most likely come to the same conclusion

 

North east? Ups pays $38 an hour up there. But wait you start at $20. 2 years in max rate. Money won't be steady until you get a bid.

Is the health care good for your family?

 

An experienced company driver can do well. As far as rates go for o/o pulling gasoline, jet fuel etc. they aren't much better than dry van IMO.

 

You can make a thousand dollars a day with a dry van or flat bed.

 

Main reason for the shortage is because the pay doesn't match the added responsibility and endorsements. Most guys can get better pay running for an LTL company.

 

If you’re serious about doing it buy a truck and lease on to a tank company. Get on their insurance so you don’t have to try and buy a truck and trailer plus a $5mil policy as a new carrier.

 

Hazmat insurance isn’t worth it; it’s the reasons Walmart, and all these private fleets don’t pull hazmat they contract it out to an LTL carrier.

I forgot how much but I looked up insurance prices to haul hazmat and it just instantly made me close my browser.

 

Locally though? Don't get me wrong, the guy could be BS. Some of the comments on the video were brutal (not sure they're still up though, I saw the video weeks ago when it was first uploaded).

Anyone from South Florida want to confirm or deny the video?