local fuel hauling vs LTL

You can make that kind of money at the fuel haulers , which I did, but the jobs are being eliminated when the oil companies start hiring out the loads. They will go out on a bid for companies to take their dedicated loads. Right now it's only happening at the smaller terminals but we see the writing on the walls. Chevron did their whole fleet.

All of us drivers feel it's a perfect example of a book smart Ivy Leagued planner that feels he or she needs to make an impact right away and has no knowledge of what kind of impact that company truck has on the public. And what sufferes in the long run. People like to see a new shinny branded truck comming into the station where the driver is sharp, in uniform, courteous, and projects an air of professionalism in his or her job. Instead they are seeing a different truck making the drop. I'm not saying those dedicated are sloppy or they are not professional, most I've seen are sharp but it makes the public wonder where the gasoline is coming from.

Plus if you run the numbers you'll find that a truck that stays in the city all day long or all night long will be much more proficient than a truck that does a couple of local drops then goes long. So if you're looking to haul fuel and are going after the big boys look at where you are and how many trucks do they have. It used to be you needed at least 4 truck to make a terminal work. Those 4 trucks could support 12 to 15 drivers and you could haul almost 30 million gallons a month. That's what we averaged. So if any one is seriously looking I might be able to help just PM me , it's no problem.

 

Even though I do have a great job in LTL pulling short wagons around town, a long shiny tanker still looks very desirable and prestigious. And your right, where I'm from the tankers have the newest, most chromed out, and most well maintained tractors out of anybody. Would be a #### shame to see a 20 yr old _________ (fill in the blank) rusted tractor with broken plastic and primer carrying such an impressive load.

 

I myself, worked 2 yrs OTR and just now about to get my "feet wet" running fuel here locally in Augusta,GA. Ill work on keeping a journal on here,on the progress from a newbie point of view starting at rock bottom lol...

 

Oh no you're right that linehaul drivers make money but so do tanker drivers !! Down here in md the average fuel/chemical driver starting pay is $22.00 hr averaging atleast. 10hrs a day. Now that 10hrs a day is the bare minimum that a guy works !! I average 1o-14 hrs a day so if u do the math then really Tanker drivers make somewhat more money of they kinda both make the same amount...

 

Like the previous guy said,it has it's draw backs,but if you can operate alone don't panic very fast and don't mind some crappy loads(i.e.- load at one spot drive to another rack and finish loading and then drive four hrs to deliver).
But then again your home 98% of the time every day,and depending where your at the pay is fair.(nm,co,w.tx)