What kind of trailer/freight to haul? (Career planning) OTR

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Sapphire_Glitter, Jan 18, 2022.

  1. Frank Speak

    Frank Speak Road Train Member

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    I definitely said that! Load myself at half the shippers I go to, *usually* takes about 10-15 minutes. Unloading takes anywhere from 20-45 minutes almost NEVER have to wait to start and if I do, I get paid by the hour while I wait. And my truck AND trailer are assigned to me so no chasing trailers or dealing with issues left by lazy drivers.
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2022
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  3. Sapphire_Glitter

    Sapphire_Glitter Bobtail Member

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    To clarify I am out of Florida just north of Tampa
     
  4. Blu_Ogre

    Blu_Ogre Road Train Member

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    That's over 3k driving miles from me.

    I'm going to step out due to lack of knowledge of your turf.
     
  5. Sapphire_Glitter

    Sapphire_Glitter Bobtail Member

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    I currently live north of Tampa, FL. And I'm out for about 2 months at a time OTR and I mostly drive Midwest, Western US and Pacific NW. Being most of my runs are along I5, I20, I40, I80 and I84 and honestly I do like driving most of the western states (except California, the good ol "i can't drive 55" and I can't get cell service for jack in Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico suck but it's part of the job) so I don't think I'll ever want to give up driving out west (despite living as far out of the way as it gets)

    As for off time I'm OK with doing months out at a time but also I want to have the flexibility to go home weekends if needed
     
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  6. Vic Firth

    Vic Firth Road Train Member

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    My opinion, You’re in a perfect location for food grade tanker’s like Indian River or Oakley, take a look at their hiring requirements and get enough experience to hire on.
     
  7. Sapphire_Glitter

    Sapphire_Glitter Bobtail Member

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    What about trailer washout for the tanks, heard that takes about an hour (I'll be honest tanker does sound promising plus easier to maneuver because of a shorter trailer
     
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  8. Sapphire_Glitter

    Sapphire_Glitter Bobtail Member

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    I wanted overall input to make a more solid decision but my current companies I'm looking at were Prime, Schaffer, Foodliner, HR Ewell, Freightworks, Variant and Crete (not set on anyone yet, still looking it over and doing research but these were the most promising)

    (Honestly I'd also take a company that did Doubles with sleeper cabs or did a lot of contracted fedex freight, mainly because of all shippers I liked hauling fedex so far but I won't drive for fedex because I'm not wearing a clown suit (aka the uniform))

    I'd also be interested in a company that hauled both food grade/non hazmat tanks and hazmat tanks, (I do plan to get hazmat eventually if hazmat tanks pay better)
     
    Vic Firth Thanks this.
  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Florida is good refrigerated trucking country.
     
    xlsdraw and Speed_Drums Thank this.
  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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  11. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Why isn't Leonard's Express on your list? You posted you like running Pacific Northwest.
     
    xlsdraw Thanks this.
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