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

Start hanging around the heavy haul guys, asking alot of questions.. Next you may have a support load for the heavy haul guys... Then try to get a 9 ft or 10 ft wide load, haul those for a while, then keep moving up.. Get a load where you might gross 83,000 lbs to get that feeling.. And keep getting heavier.. Getting used to bigger loads.. If any chaining questions.. ASK.. And ALWAYS READ ALL OF YOUR PERMIT!!!!!!!not what interests you. If you get pulled over for an OD violation, you can loose your permit.. And then if the guy is a not nice guy.. He will write you for being oversize or over weight from 8-6 wide 13-6 or 14 foot high or over weight at 80,000 lbs. so the tickets are rather pricey..and you get to buy a new permit. Companies like ATS if you have the interest will train you.. Starting off small going larger. Don't be a real pain in the butt, but keep asking for a OD load, after a while they will keep them for you. Now don't forget Hauling Heavy and oversize is a patient persons game.. Not a speed demons game. There will be lots of waiting, for permits, weather, curfews, not being able to run certain hours at night or weekends, holidays.. Just kick back and enjoy the time off. You may some days only make 3-4 hundred miles.. Then other 600.. If you run around with ants in your pants and go,go,go attitude. Big loads aren't here to be.. Go haul vans or refers or something else

 

I've been driving a rollback for 3 months. I've been hauling forklifts, dozers, backho's, 40' man lifts. On Monday I asked to move into a rollback trailer (Landoll 440). After I train a new guy in my rollback, I'll probably spend next week with another driver until my truck is ready. We work primarily local out of Houston but have the odd out of town run.

Prior to the 3 months, I have a month in a 53' van hauling wood chips and 6 months in a straight truck doing expedited work because when I started out I didn't want to work for .30 for the Swift & CR England's of the world. I'm comfortable with chaining equipment. However I'm short on backing a trailer experience, especially in a city environment. Maneuvering the rollback in the city is easy, I cross 4 lanes of traffic to make my exit or squeeze in tight spots to go eat at a restaurant.

I realize I'm going to have to change my driving habits, plan better, get over earlier for exits, pack my lunch everyday. I think our customer base for rollback trailers is a little different than my customers but still largely the same. I know to take my time and be extra cautious, but do y'all have any other advice?

 

Patience, patience, patience. Never get in a rush.. If they needed it an hour agoThey will really need it when you get there. If there was a big rush for it.. They should have ordered it earlier. As for backing up.. Who do you think you are JB Hunt? That's one of the first skills that you will be rusty at.. Then look at your trailer, most are longer than normal trailers, and don't cheat backing up. Just take your time like normal and you will get out