How is oilfield trucking different than regular OTR trucking?

I just netted 2500$ for four days of work this week hauling containers in texas. I grab a empty in Haslet, go pick up a load of cotton in Lubbock, Sudan, plain view, seagraves, Seminole, etc and bring it back. I netted $3,900 two weeks ago. Worked six days that week. And yes that’s after ALL deductions and expenses. Back to home base everyday, but a maxed out clock.

 

I`m really liking the idea of oilfield trucking as obtaining experience is concerned, thanks for all the inputs guys, and happy new year!

 

That sounds like a pretty good deal. What do you do outside of ginning season?

 

haul garbage loads for jbhunt or run swift empties 120 miles for $550. I trade stocks all year though and make more from stocks than trucking. I love hauling cotton though, long empty roads.

 

Any accommodation for a travel trailer, I rather have my own space?

 

With power but no water or sewer.

Lots of cheap RV spaces in town though.

 

Thanks, I'll keep you posted, I should be getting my CDL-A mid February.

 

One of the biggest differences is how smooth and controlled driving on the freeway feels compared to state highways and Farm-to-Market roads in the Tejas oilfields. Off the freeway, it's Thunderdome driving, baby! Nothing like dodging some methed out water hauler who's driving on the wrong side of the road while trying to pass more than 10 drivers in one shot. I hated dealing with that crap. Oh, and having your sampling equipment stolen out of the locked side box on the tank vessel while parked at the T/A in Big Spring, TX.

 

I can relate somewhat, I worked 7 years in a Quarry down here in Florida driving rock trucks, operating wheel loader, dragline, and some days I used to wet the roads with the water truck. I guess there is risk everywhere you go, you just have to be careful.

 

Well, as someone who just hit their official two week mark of hauling water in North Dakota, I obviously have it ALL figured out comparing the two.

I’d say the biggest difference is in what you don’t know or haven’t yet experienced… But that just could be due to my past jobs and lack of oilfield experience…

Throwing chains, frozen pumps because Mr. Experience (not me) forgets to drain the pump after hauling fresh water, to passing a broke down truck in the middle of a hill on a road that’s really only big enough for one, to helping your roommate into his bed because he rolled his truck on its side when he didn’t think he needed to chain up…

it’s been an interesting two weeks to say the least.