How did you get your start (in heavy haul)?

I can't remember who said it, but a heavy haul driver is part driver, part rigger. You will load and unload, set the trailer up, break it down and a host of other things. The main thing that will help you is the ability to think in the saddle and problem solve on the go.

Was pulling into the petro in 59 and 20 when my trailer brakes locked up. Had an escalator on an Rgn. Looked underneath the middle of the trailer and saw something had snagged the air lines and broke them. I was stuck right in the middle of the driveway. What would you do?

i used the capture bolts on the sides of the brake chambers to capture the springs, geared her low and rolled into the petro. Check into the shop and we couldn't get the trailer over the pit. Used a wheel chock to keep the trailer still while I broke down the trailer and unloaded the excavator. I then backed the trailer over the pit and the tech put new air lines in. Released the parking brake springs, and reloaded the escalator.

 

Should of still park barkes on at least 1 if not 2 of the other axles on their 3 axle lowboys. Air lines should of been eunn down the drivers side on a trailking..
Glad you got it fixed though.

 

start with lonestar if you havet a year OTR. They start at 40 cpm and bump up. In two years you'll be pulling blades and stuff.

 

I started out with Werner flatbed div' first trip out in Dec going north I-5 LA to WA grapevine & Shasta were snow covered, so jumped right in the deep end, Jan ran up and over Wolf Creek Pass. Stuck it out for 5 mouths before I couldn't take the low pay anymore.
Moved Elko NV next job double side dumps running ore between mines on I-80 got used to snow and mag' chloride dirt roads gross between 115-135k , last 5 years been up here in MT/ND oilfields got into rig moving run 7 to 13 axle combo's upto 225k.

Working towards going O/O heavy haul, hope to be started within the next 12 months ? We will see

 

I evolved from flatbeds, beginning at Trism before they folded.
In 10 years, I got about 6 months with smooth bore tankers and similar with vans.
But, platforms is where its at...

 

Greenman change ur meds.

 

I started pulling decks, all kinds, flats, steps, double drops. I preferred them, so I bought a step deck.
Pulled it for years, got bored, so I bought a tri-double RGN. Put a single axle jeep under it shortly, got bored with it...
Bought a 9 axle, with both main deck & main rail plus sections...I'm getting bored again...
Thinking about a 13! It's only money, you can't take it with you when your gone...why give it to the kids, they didn't earn it...
Hmmm, maybe a 48 wheeler?

 

If your looking for information on how to get into heavy haul, best thing you can do is find a good mentor.
Load security & patience.
Talk less, listen more!
Load security & patience.
Learn to plan, way in advance, cause there's lots of coordinating involved. At the "Heavy Haul" >150,000lbs level, you are not a driver any more, you are now an operator and you will be expected to know it, act like it, show it, and teach it...the best part is, you also get treated like it!
Load security & patience.
Learn to solve problems on your own, cause your gonna be alone, off the beaten path LOTS!
Load security & patience.
Professionalism is tantamount to success, the responsibility is bigger than the loads you'll be hauling!
Have I forgot to mention LOAD SECURITY!!! Losing one of these loads is inexcusable! The DOT guys that understand load security will cut you ZERO tolerance for not having enough chains, and the shouldn't, if your doing this you are EXPECTED to KNOW it!
Be PATIENT, your going to wait...permits, weather, site access, blah blah blah...
Having a good mechanical ability helps, there can be a lot of things going on with these component trailers.
As well a good understanding of some basic physics will make your life easier, the forces involved are pretty incredible and they will sneak up and smack you in the back of the head when you least expect it!

 

I just started and wanted to know of some good heavy hauler companies

 

my advice would be to do some flatbedding and gain experience in load securement first. then start talking to heavy haulers and find out which companies fit you best