Is tanker driving physically demanding?

There's more drop and hook in food grade and very little in chemicals. The only time I'm up on top is to check the seals, vent the lid or check to see if the gasket on the lid is in place after being washed.
It's a lot easier work than reefer for instance.
I'm not aware of companies using many automatics but I'm sure it's coming.
But I def prefer manual.

 

Hauling fuel to a certain extent is a different animal altogether but an enjoyable endeavor. I hauled fuel for 6 yrs and I'm thinking eventually to get back into it, but it's going to depend on where you live. You rarely climb up on a fuel trailer, but if you do it's to see if the compartments are empty. I supplied the retail end of the business unloading at places like supermarkets and some trucking terminals
you will be loading and unloading yourself, and depending on the rack you're dealing with, one false move when loading can be a reason for them to lock you out for a time.
It's a great business though, lots of fun but can be tricky at times

 

Hauling oil in the oil fields can really tear up the tractor if you're not careful. I hauled fuel for Mission transport in TX and they had just regular day cabs but their oil haulers were different rigs...aka Mack Pinnacles which had a higher center of gravity. It's a much more demanding job, with not much time off. I talked with a driver and they would only give him one day off and he had to move to a less desirable area to live. He gave it up after a few months. Couldn't stand it.

 

I've hauled sand to well and now drive fuel. Sand was on top every load except rare place that required you not get out and had guys open and shut lids. Had 3 of those in little over a yr. Sand is old news now. The $2500 a week for company driver are either gone or very very few.
Been hauling fuel little less then a yr. Have yet to get on roof except once with mechanic just to look it over and understand what does what. All loading done through arms that you also drop with. Totally different driving and company attitude. Oilfield is all hurry, go faster. S TX in summer on well site in FR clothing w/ respirator can suck bad. With all the machinery running during fracing it can easily be 120-130' on the pad. So for 30-90 minutes you just take it to do your job. Then it's couple of hours to couple of days till next load.
Fuel is make sure you do everything in proper order and don't make any mistakes. They are costly and can be deadly for a lot of people and area. Spills are huge no no. Rather have you dead with a few others and all product burned away then turn over and pollute some 2' wide creek with slug you never heard of living there. Sorry but that is your EPA these days. Not too physical. Still hot. Lot of standing while loading/unloading. Long hoses are heavy so you park as not to need long hoses where ever possible. Lot of check and double checking. Too much paperwork for both as with all jobs.
Either job was certainly much easier then HVAC I did for a long time. No hot attics. Flatbedding can be a good workout, but then you get to sit in A/C and drive for hrs or days.

 

Which 4 states do you have to stop at the scale if your placarded even if u get the green light

 

i am 61 everything is harder in this business other then reefer
where the hardest part is waiting
I dont mean driving for DOT unloading yourself
my old knees wouldnt like climbing up on any tabk anymore
and after 38 years on the Atlantic up and down masts
I know agility and climbing
the oilfields is a young mans game


all opinions mine alone
take them for what they are worth

 

I've been driving a vacuum truck for the past 16 months and I am in and out of the cab quite a bit. If you have knee problems, I wouldn't recommend it because if the disposal isn't far and the water levels are high and you happen to be the only driver in that area to manage the location, you're going to get a good workout in and out of the truck, hooking and unhooking hoses, stepping/climbing over firewalls, up and down stairs, etc. Not to brag, but I pulled 11 loads in a 14-hour shift. Granted, the location and our disposal were less than 15 minutes apart, but it made a lot of water. I enjoy it, but I'm sure my body will let me know over the next few years...lol!

 

If you want it EASY work for Indian River they have no hoses on their trailers. I never handled a hose while employed with them and would only climb on top to check seals and make sure the dome was tight.