Door swinger to tanker?

Hey ya'll

Had this account for some time, just never used really. I've been driving OTR/Regional and sometimes local out of the Chicagoland area for three years. I've done reefer, van, and intermodal.

I just up and quit my last job hauling cans... Did it for about a year. Unfortunately with the tariffs and the flooding out west my job got extremely slow for my micro fleet of just 15 drivers. Money was good, but the work was extremely stressful. I was always playing Mr. Fixit because chassis were juuuuuunk. Just wanted to take some time off to really hustle on my restoration project....

Im curious about the tanker world now. I've got a neighbor who hauls pipebombs for Praxair and does very good! I also noticed O/O tanker yankers often times drive flashy rigs. I guess they make enough cheddar to warrant the use of excessive chrome for them tax write offs?

I've got a 1997 International 9300 with a sleeper cab, flattop. I am in the process of respraying the truck from the ugly faded and neglected dark red color to white. Also, I gotta get a new steering box, and two new steers. Other than that and a good interior clean, she's a really nice truck. Always started for me without issue when had to be moved or whatever. Cummins N14 redtop, 460HP, Spicer 10 sp, 3.55 rears.. It used to be a bulk tanker truck! So I already have a spot on the back where a PTO was mounted.

I'm trying to find a carrier that would allow me (if possible) to start out as a company driver and then transition into O/O and allow me to run my International. I know some carriers (for some idiotic reason) decide to limit the age on tractors. Even considering that my truck is almost as old as I am (Born 1993) I guarantee that my 22 year old tractor broke down less in its lifetime with 1.1 million than any new EGR/DEF/DPF truck ever will lol.

Regardless, If ya'll could please recommend me to a carrier that could maybe start me as a company driver, show me the tanker world of view, and sign on a older truck I'd really appreciate it!

Also, Bonus if paper log friendly, but I understand that may be extremely limiting....

Thanks!

 

Over these short three years I've been towed 6 times. Each being a DPF related issue. If that's truly the case then I'll stay haulin' diapers you can have those emission trucks

 

Thanks a lot!

Ive heard good things about Coal City Cobb.. They good to do business with ?