Is going tanker a good idea over van, flatbed, refeer?

I don't know that it is so much the actual training as it is the driver being trained..

I mean look around you at the talent pool its become pretty shallow with not much to choose from.

 

If a new driver applies himself everyday, pulling a tanker I think it,s the best trailer to pull. It will teach you to drive correctly, to do calulate everything in advance, be smooth, etc. When I started driving I pulled a tanker, never went to a driving school either. If I where a new driver, I would look at the yellow pages and call all the milk haulers. Get 1 year exp then the doors will open for you, I know of a food grade tanker outfit, that pays .50 cpm, they run the eastcoast and Canada, which I don,t mind. You just have to look at things the right way, like going into Canada- just cross the bridge and answer a bunch of questions, learn how the paper work for customs works and it,s a piece of cake.

 

By all means you should definitely start out with a tanker once you get your license based on the above testimony.
Overall different methods of handling would make you sharper and safer the way I see it.

Another good way to get a feel for the tankers would be to see about "pusher" positions at dairy unloading facilities.
The cheese plant I just started doing shuttle runs out of in Clovis has them.

They essentially just drive the tankers into the unloading bays and stage.
Do this for awhile and then gradually move up and out.

 

My first job was a tanker in Arkansas ! Oil gas feild
All the companies at least one person a month died from not being safe
the tanks with no baffles all the sloshing !
Taking the curves to fast , narrow rds I learned to drive like granma
take my time safety first always.
Its good to go home to ur Familey
tomarrow I get my first exaperience in a dump truck
hope I get the job

 

I just moved to tanker after 2yrs of Van and agree the previous experience was invaluable to making the transition safer...

 

when pulling a shot gun tank you learn to think ahead and above all be smooth..

~smooth with your shifts
~smooth with your braking
~smooth when you accelerate

Treat it like driving on slippery roads...Would you brake hard, accelerate hard or go diving into a corner on slippery roads ??

Its not that bad if your smart and carefull..

 

it only takes a couple of those big hits !!

 

I've never hauled a smooth bore tanker, which I'd really like to experience. I did however start with a tanker as my first job, on and off highway in winter. I think if you have the right mindset of going slow and double or even triple checking everything before engaging pumps, it can be an excellent first job. For the right person with the right training it's a good move. Definitely can add some stress at the beginning though.

Not likely to come out of it with a cowboy mentality that's for sure.

 

Pulling a Tanker can be an experience. Food Grade Liquid Tankers have no baffles, so the product moves forward and back and side to side. I happen to like pulling Tankers, but like everything else it's a matter of preference. Some drivers like flat beds, others reefers, Dumps, dry vans well you get the picture. I did Heavy Haul and flat bed for 30 years,and not till after 3 back surgeries did i get smart enough to change to Tankers. If I knew then what i know now, I would have ran tankers from the get go. Food Grade is clean, and you don't have to finger print anything but a "Big Hose". I did hazmat for a year and wasn't comfortable with it, so hence the "Food Grade" liquid. Like I said before you will have to figure out what you will like to haul. Hating what your doing makes for a LONG LONG day.