How hard is tanker ?

How is the OTR tanker world compared to say reefer? Is there a lot of switching from days and nights or do you typically have plenty of time to deliver the load? Do you stay close to the same schedule?

 

Tanker is 100% easier than reefer, but I still prefer reefers.
I did OTR hazmat tankers 5 years and it was easy. Customers are easy to deal with and respectful to the drivers and each other.

 

Short, easy answer: most drivers that finally make the switch over to tanker....later wish they had done so, sooner.

--Lual

 

I try to avoid overnight driving if I can, but occasionally you get that load which will be late if you wait for morning to set off.

I tend to shape my schedule for early morning starts if the load allows so I would say I pretty much keep to the same hours. That comes from learning the loads and the customers and which ones you can squeeze a few hours out of without any issues. I wouldn’t expect to start a new job and be able to do that from the beginning.

 

Iv heard that it's common for washouts to let you park over night and have showers , is this true?

 

Yup.

 

Tanker is pretty easy but you need to be pretty diligent on making sure you have no spills. Depending on what you’re hauling even a single drop hitting the ground can cause a scene. Use your drip trays, follow the procedure and no matter what you’re told don’t over grease the pump of you’ll be using the drip tray / spill kit very frequently.

 

Local tanker
Hauling gas
4am to 4pm Wednesday thru Sunday
Monday Tuesday off
Home every night
Sleep in my bed instead of a truck
Dinner at home
Ah, the life is good!

 

I don't seem to see a huge amount of tankers in truckstops and rest areas...makes me assume that they have a pretty good parking situation with tank washes and customers?