How a carrier gets bulk propane loads?

The simple answer is a $5mil liability policy as well as hazmat authority. You’re either going to have to solicit work from places you currently haul to through the carrier you’re with or you’re going to have to make connections and follow the busy season around the country where trucks are needed.

 

I enjoyed doing that gig back in 1981. It was gravy. I bet it’s changed like night and day. Didn’t it for an owner operator back in the days. When I asked if I could do it as an owner operator myself once I bought my first truck, they all laughed at me and said good luck. It’s a corporate thing.

 

Depends on where you’re at I suppose. Out here in the Midwest there are quite a few owner ops that pull a bottle, but I can’t think of any that have their own work as a one truck guy. They all work with someone who has the loads to hand out. I’m guessing if someone starts going around trying to do it on their own they will quickly lose the ability to work with anyone currently doing it.

 

Yep. Unless you happen to know the distribution coordinator, you gotta lease on with a carrier that already has an MSA in place.

But check the rates first.

 

Have you gotten a quote for your insurance? That might be the first barrier to your idea with a single truck.

 

Most shippers like to deal with individuals with more resources than a single truck operation.

The current carriers are known entities with said resources AND a proven relationship providing the service the shipper demands.

One needs to have the connection to the business in hand before going into one's own business back up and softly seek the ways to approach the shippers.

Remember people with the business will seek to keep the business and they already have a connection and a proven track record.