So you want to haul crude oil in the badlands of ND?

claredog1, I don't know anything about Old West I see their trucks once and a while. The only thing I can tell you about the weather is, if you come up here with the mindset that you can kick its ### you will do alright, if you come up here scared you just as well stay home.I personally work my ### off for 2 weeks then take 5 or 6 days off to rest and play.I try to work 14 hours a day and might drive at the most 250 miles, remember alot of the driving is on gravel roads that can be driven about 20 - 25 mph if you want to keep your truck in one piece.I haul produced water and for me it is the easiest job I have EVER had.Just remember to have fun,be safe and SHOW me the MONEY!

 

Thanks for the info. I have some paper work to fill out this weekend and then I should here back. The lady I spoke to gave me a lot of info. Let me ask you this, do people stay long or is there a lot of turn over? I myself think I would like a cooler atmosphere. I am waiting on one app I have in here which would be a good job where people stay a long time but if that don't work out in my favor I will probably head yalls way, thanks for any help provided.

 

BSD, I see you posted a speed limit. Is that normal or is that company policy? Out here in the Nebraska/Colorado Missile Complex where I worked for the last 5 years, we were restricted to 25 on gravel, so I can see where most of your time is creeping along at a nice safe speed. I'm asking because I am thinking about seeking employment up there and have concerns as to safety vs expediency. Do companies encourage drivers to push the limits? I have no problem working long hours, but I will not risk my life, or someone else, to get something moved in an unsafe manner. I have seen way too many vehicle roll-overs in the last 5 years up here in Wyoming/Nebraska/Colorado, and most of them were caused by driving too fast for the road conditions.

I don't have my CDL yet, but am starting at the local SAGE school in the next week or so. I had four years experience in driving tractor/trailers on dirt/gravel/mud/snow while stationed at Fort Dix, but none of that counts in the civilian world.

 

Some roads are posted at 25 mph, otherwise it is just commonsense to keep from destroying your truck. Granted some people don't care, but, I drive a nice Peterbilt and want to keep it nice for a while.

 

Do people stay and work up there long or do most haul ###. How long have you been working up there bsd?

 

Stay away from Old West. They don't have their own work. Power Fuels, Missouri Basin, Enermax, Basin Trucking, Stallion, Plains, Falco, there are tons better than Old West.

Another great source for info is www.city-data.com Look under ND. A lot of oilfield posts on there too. Good luck.

Also check www.theshopperinc.net - classified paper with jobs/housing towards the back of the paper.

 

Also, most companies now offer some sort of housing. Not necessarily FREE but 1 bedroom apts are approaching $1000 per month in Williston. Actually I've heard that a woman in Williston has a 9 bedroom house with 1 kitchen and 3 bathroom is renting out ROOMS for $1000 per month. Bring a camper! Hang on....it's gonna be a WILD ride!

 

From talking to the lady at SAGE, they work with Missouri Basin for job placement opportunities. And from reading these threads it seems like Power Fuels is another decent company.

AC22, do some of them provide power/water hookups for trailers? RV campgrounds or anything like that available? I can't see paying that much a month for a ROOM...haven't lived in an apartment sine I was stationed in Las Vegas in 89-92`.

 

as far as cold goes, you want a heavy insulated coverall in case of breakdowns. generally all outer clothing must be fire resistant and is supplied( at least here in Canada) helly hansen, and carhartt if you are buying it yourself. particularily as a oil hauler you won't be outside for long periods lots of in and out. insulated winter boots, Redwing leather with insulation work fine for me. or the big clunkers with removable felt liners, buy an extra liner at the same time, and swap every night so they can dry out. wet liners=frozen feet

 

I'm gonna check out these companies you told me about. From what I have gathered drivers are making around $1800 a week is this correct? Are there any companies up there that you have a hard time getting proper pay from? I would hate to be up there and not get a correct pay check.