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Milk Trucks?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Reverend Blair, Jul 13, 2011.

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  1. Jul 13, 2011 #1
    Reverend Blair

    Reverend Blair Light Load Member

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    I talked to a guy yesterday who used to pick up milk from dairy farmers, then haul it back to the milk plant. He said it was like flat-bedding with a tanker. A lot of gravel roads, muddy/snowy yards, long backing with obstacles from broken tractors to crazed cattle to avoid, and you have to be on time because of the way quotas work...the tank at the farmer's is full when you get there, and the cows keep producing milk. He said he was home every night though, and the farmers are usually friendly and happy to see you.

    It sounded like a lot of fun, actually. A fair bit of adversity, especially in winter and spring due to weather and road restrictions, but generally a decent gig.

    It's funny, they used to come to my uncle's all the time, but I never really thought about it. The truck would just show up and do what he had to, no matter how cold or hot, no matter how muddy the yard. The drivers always looked happy and friendly.

    Has anybody done this? Is it a job worth looking into? I never asked the guy about pay, but I assume it's about average for local work.
     
    Reverend Blair, Jul 13, 2011
    Reverend Blair, Jul 13, 2011
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  3. Jul 13, 2011 #2
    GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    You are looking ay one of the toughest tanker jobs there are. It's smooth bore so you'll need to learn that way right away. The cleaning process must be done right also. I guess it can become fun once you learn all the nasties about smooth bore tankers.
     
    GasHauler, Jul 13, 2011
    GasHauler, Jul 13, 2011
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  4. Jul 13, 2011 #3
    BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

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    I think many own the truck and the route.
     
    BigJohn54, Jul 13, 2011
    BigJohn54, Jul 13, 2011
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  5. Jul 13, 2011 #4
    Hubcap

    Hubcap Medium Load Member

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    Rhome Texas
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    The smooth bore tanker can be a handful, you have to pretty well keep yourself out of any situation that will cause you to dodge a car, or goat, or deer...ect.

    If you are considering it, try hanging a tennis ball above your forehead on a string and see if you can drive without hitting your head with it. Tankers are not for everyone, it is pretty common around Stephenville Texas to see them turned over.
     
    Hubcap, Jul 13, 2011
    Hubcap, Jul 13, 2011
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  7. Jul 14, 2011 #5
    Jfaulk99

    Jfaulk99 Road Train Member

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    Not to mention it's a 7 day a week job. IMO there's no way it pays enough to put up with all the BS. We've dealt with enough farmers over the years hauling grain that you learn real quick you don't want your livelihood to depend on them.
     
    Jfaulk99, Jul 14, 2011
    Jfaulk99, Jul 14, 2011
    #5
  8. Jul 14, 2011 #6
    Reverend Blair

    Reverend Blair Light Load Member

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    May 30, 2011
    Winnipeg, MB
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    Darn, those aren't really the answers I wanted to hear. Glad I got the honest truth though.

    I looked into it a bit after I posted and it seems to be a pretty hard job to get too...definitely not hiring newbies. The place I checked with likes to see at least five years experience and at least two with with tankers. They wouldn't talk wages, but he did mention the drivers were, "Well compensated." It's also a five day week schedule with either Sat/Sun, Mon/Tue, or Thur/Fri off.
     
    Reverend Blair, Jul 14, 2011
    Reverend Blair, Jul 14, 2011
    #6
  9. Jul 14, 2011 #7
    farmerleach

    farmerleach Light Load Member

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    Those trucks go every day, regardless of the weather. Only seen one in the ditch and that was this winter, in the middle of a blizzard, wasn't in far, once your stuck it doesn't matter to much. Were able to pull him out. They are probably one of the better paid local jobs, around here anyhow. Another thing is that, here anyhow, because they haul a perishable commodity they are able to get a permit to run at 100% on road bans in the spring.
     
    farmerleach, Jul 14, 2011
    farmerleach, Jul 14, 2011
    #7
  10. Jul 14, 2011 #8
    okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    There are 2 types of dairy tank transport. The farms and the line haul Creameries. I did both. The Farms are well not for the faint of heart or a rookie. Everything you heard is true. Now the Creamery hauls are gravy. From one to the other all highway miles but under a schedule for sure because the product does heat up during transportation. Pay is ok. $15-17 an hour. We call them Milk cans.....Nothing like homemade ice cream from raw milk yum.
     
    okiedokie, Jul 14, 2011
    okiedokie, Jul 14, 2011
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  11. Jul 14, 2011 #9
    MM71

    MM71 Heavy Load Member

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    I've hauled milk in New Mexico / Texas. Pay is decent. Being on time to the Dairy is of the utmost importance (day, night, snow, ice, blizzard, etc). Sanitation procedures have to be followed, otherwise its not bad. An inexperienced driver shouldnt be hauling smooth bore tanker.

    A big plus is if you handle the same dairys every day your schedule stays fairly consistant +/- a couple hours depending on how the cows are producing.
     
    MM71, Jul 14, 2011
    MM71, Jul 14, 2011
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  12. Jul 15, 2011 #10
    SteveH85396

    SteveH85396 Road Train Member

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    My brother has been hauling milk in central Washington for over 5 years. Brutal hours in all kinds of weather. He loves it! Likes being home every night.
     
    SteveH85396, Jul 15, 2011
    SteveH85396, Jul 15, 2011
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