Bull Haulers Blues....

So, recently I've been wanting to get into livestock transportation. I can post my credentials if this gets any hits. I live in Texas and you can't throw a rock without hitting a bullrack.... I've hauled cattle in a 38' gooseneck to salebarns. Hope this gets some attention.

 

In hopes of the right person seeing this I will give a little background info on myself.

I earned my CDL at 19 hauling grain intrastate. I attended a major truck driving school after that and jumped into the OTR game. Hauled for a major carrier for 2.5 years and became a company trainer. I moved on to work for a 'Mom & Pop outfit, pretty much hauling team loads as a solo driver in the midwest region. Due to family issues I moved back to Texas to help operate the family ranch. I worked as a diesel mechanic for 2 years before getting back behind the wheel. I began hauling freelance for anyone who would give me a load. Went out and got my dream ride, a long, tall, maroon and chrome 379 and began hauling frac sand. I bought, rebuilt and sold several old pneumatic trailers when the Eagle Ford boom began . I have since parked my truck as the rates are unsatisfactory in my opinion and I am a very well paid company driver doing the same work.

My experience~
Well over 1.5mil accident/incident free miles. Squeaky clean driving record. (csa/psp/dac) Current Tx X endorsed license and 2yr med card.
I have hauled; dry van, reefer, flat and stepdeck, tankers... liquid~ both baffled and un baffled and pneumatic dry bulk, end and belly dump and hopper bottom. Experienced in 'just in tme' freight and overweight/over length.
I also manage a hay/cattle operation south of San Antonio with 80 head of Simmental/Angus cattle on 500acres

I have always wanted to learn this side of the industry and would be willing to 'intern' for a while to get experience. Not looking to lease my truck to anyone, I would prefer to operate company equipment as I learn.
Thanks for looking at my post, Mark 'Cottonmouth' B.

 

Hey Patty, thanks for the response. I own the ranch, so no luck getting leads there. I talk to cow trucks on the road and at the fuel island, I've gotten a few leads that way. I've looked on livestocknetwork.com and bullhaulin.com.... a few leads there as well. I also interviewed with a guy from craigslist but turned down the job offer. It did not pay enough, he had junk equipment with a 9speed pulling someone else's trailer.

....and yes, perhaps bullhaulerswife can offer some advice.

 

Thanks y'all for all the positive replies. I'm glad this is gaining some momentum. 379exhd, I read your other posts, very informative. Thank you. Very nice looking rig.

Yes once its on the grill the question of 'why' is pretty easy to anwser.

 

I've been practicing driving as if I had critters in the wagon.... smooth everywhere, light on the throttle, barely any brakes, no sudden movements... it takes some getting used to for sure. Got a lead from a guy with Cattlemens Trucking, maybe you've seen them. They're out of Brenham, Tx. I've got steady work now hauling a pneumatic tanker but I've always got my eyes open.

Wore Out ~ like the new pic. That's a mighty fine 359 you've got there.