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

First post. I drove up from a southern state to Minot, found a roommate in a week, and found a job in 2 weeks in the oil fields working 100 hours a week. Fast forward 3 months. Today I just received my CDL + Tanker/Hazmat and am considering driving full time but I need some direction. I am thinking of buying my own truck to become an owner operator for the fields. I hear I could make more this way as opposed to driving for a company. Is this the direction I should go if my goal is to make a junk load of cash?

 

take your time really learning the job as an employee, before you jump in as an O/O. once you own it you are stuck with it, and it can be a very expensive education. yes you can make somewhat more money, but you have a hugely higher risk exposure too.

 

As seine who is driving in N.D. Drive for someone else for a time until you learn the trade.I used to own my own truck but would not want the headaches of owning my own up here.

 

Sorry, "As someone"

 

much of the driving is "off-highway" the maintenance costs are much higher. until you learn what that really means the O/O wages will sound incredible. Once that is factored in while good, its not quite as good as its sounds at first. what i really mean is the trucks take a h*** of a beating

 

We have been up there as a company for over a year and yes these photos are from last February and its not all that bad and actually its a lot better? But do be prepared

 

We have been up there as a company for over a year and yes these photos are from last February and its not all that bad and actually its a lot better? But do be prepared

 

Here is a link to a story on the job situation in ND.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/45112911#45112911

 

What kind of boots are you guys wearing, i was looking at baffin, is 70 below good enough, do they have steel toe?

 

Myself & most everyone I work with wear the steal toe muck boots they're warm and not so huge that its hard driving but get your self a good pair of grippers also and under armoure is an absolute must...personally the less must warmest clothes is the best it gets soo cumbersum trying to drive and work with to many layers and everything is slower in winter ie: driving walking..moving getting in and out of the truck..and get yer chaining muscles in shape cuz the beggining and ending of winter is the worst because you can chain and unchain quite a few times in 1 day..if you plan on driving tanker then your outer cloths should be as water proof as possable..its crazy we just had a week of below temps and now its in the 40's hahaha and we have the Harley out