How hard is tanker ?

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by asphaltreptile311, Feb 24, 2023.

  1. dave01282000

    dave01282000 Medium Load Member

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    Does one generally have to get experience in food grade or non hazardous tanker before moving on to fuel or other nasty chemicals?
     
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  3. asphaltreptile311

    asphaltreptile311 Road Train Member

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    Fuel haulers are a high caliber of driver , no room for error. I had a guy from my hometime blow up and die working the night shift . You can't have a stinky turd driving habits and have a long career as a fuel hauler
     
  4. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    In truth -- it really depends on the carrier you have in mind.

    Some require prior experience with their product(s) -- and some do not.

    As a fuel hauler -- I later saw the value/wisdom of good previous "seat time"...before moving on to the riskier stuff.

    Some hazmat carriers will require a year of previous experience elsewhere...and some others will want two (or even more).

    Again...it just depends.

    --Lual
     
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  5. mustang190

    mustang190 Road Train Member

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    Depends on the company. It use to be no reputable tanker company would hire a driver unless he had a year or two of OTR experience.
    Now it seems experience doesn’t matter, just fog a mirror, here’s the keys.
     
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  6. dave01282000

    dave01282000 Medium Load Member

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    I'll have a year of OTR but it's reefer. After reading some of these threads it's got me thinking of looking at local tanker options...
     
  7. RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

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    It helps, but it's not necessary. I had been pulling non-haz loads in a pneumatic for years before I switched companies and started hauling fuel. A lot of companies will count pneumatic experience as tanker experience even though you don't have to have a tanker endorsement to pull one, at least I didn't when I first started.
     
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  8. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    No. If you have a year or two driving experience with a clean record, many chemical tank companies will train you on tanker.
     
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  9. HiramKingWilliams

    HiramKingWilliams Heavy Load Member

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    No. Start applying and enjoy life.
     
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  10. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Here in CA you have to have a tanker endorsement to pull pneumatic trailers, you can load liquids into them as well, and I have. I used to pull cement to Las Vegas and reload heavy water in Mountain Pass back to Santa Paula Water treatment. You need flocones not pads if your doing liquid.
     
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  11. RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

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    Heavy water in a non-code trailer? :eek:
     
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