In over my head??

If the guys who can't speak English, and are illiterate in 3 languages can get from A to B, you will have a definite advantage over them. It's not "rocket surgery" and you don't have to be purfekt. '-)

 

Even in this dry van job....
Those pallet sized liquid containers. You need tanker to haul those.
Coca Cola concentrate is a hazmat load.

I’d be hesitant to do this.
I started with a company who seemed to give me a great job. I was constantly addressing problems every run. This was to avoid violations. One percent I failed to take care of. Result... 48 psp points.

FMCSA don’t care about reporting. They find out anything. They put it on report, creatively.
They put no dot approved bumper. When there is no bumper on a pneumatic trailer.
They put violation of local law or ordinance. When it was a ticket made out to the company for registration on a trailer.

Calif. DOT is notoriously bad. Go to extremes to write you a violation.

Also.... running long like that constantly as a solo. It can get to you. Can get to your health. I loved OTR. Especially in the south.
I now do dedicated, regional. Much better for my health. Make good money too. Work for a company who keeps their act together. I’m not running around like mad, putting out “fires” every run.

Definitely have yourself a good dash cam. You may need it to prove your innocence.
I actually had a company’s Safety department refuse to give me video for my defense. When he admitted it showed my innocence. I now have one ticket on my license.

 

I used to haul containers to Seagrams Baltimore and that was literally my first tanker truck experience even though that box was stuffed with bottles and carboys depending on what was in it for Seagrams Baltimore. Sloshing back and forth on me and trainer.

Later on I hauled tankers and even used a ready mixer concrete truck as a water tanker now and then (Don't splash it...) I don't know how many gallons equals a 12 yard drum but frankly it's way overweight too.

I carried one endorsement for both hazmat and tanker for a long time. I deliberately turned in my hazmat long ago after dispatcher nasty gave me a hard time taking a required bypass for a extra 40 minutes on our Keybridge. I don't need to hear it from him. He can #### well wait. As it turned out it was a timely turn in anyway of that endorsement for me. All of my hazmats were very well done, but did not pay a penny more than potatochips for all the trouble and anxiety.

 

One rule before anything in trucking. Watch that first step it's a lulu.

In my time starting off what hurt many drivers usually permanently is walking off 4 foot docks engrossed in own minds overwhelemed with to do list and papers.

 

I have the same thing along with the original antenna.

I would not bother with it. USA has evolved. Many two lane roads Ive run in the woods are now marked Interstates in the east. It would be a nightmare.

Just go to the truckstop and pickup a BIG LAMINATED MOTOR CARRIER ATLAS it has everything you need in it. That is supposed to be your foundation stone for the upcoming year.

Being able to rely on your mind without GPS makes you a safer driver overall. GPS is nice for finding where you are at in very bad places where its really dangerous to ask strangers for directions. Just be sure to get the actual PHYSICAL address of delivery site from your company. Insist on that information. and you will be there most every time.

 

Ahem.

Maryland. Known as Naziland etc.

Watch your overhang. Your precious Commieforinia (No offense please) 40 foot wheel base makes for at least a giant Overhang on that trailer. Maryland goes CRAZY when they see that. And they will be all over you. As if they do not have anything else more important to do such as Protect and Serve (SNARKY... Am former Maryland resident, I believe Ive earned the right to tease them)

There are also certain routes that look handy that no go for trucks. Don't bother leaving I-83 or any other big road to run the woods on anything other than a US highway (Not US1, not without a 48 foot trailer and a 96 inch tractor) they will fine you hundreds.

picky picky picky picky.

I once spent 5 minutes at 4 am on the New Market Scales all alone in the quiet before the monday rush. In the coop was a big hat bear with 20+ shirt and tie trainees as the big hat bear pointed at everything on my well lit truck sitting there techically 3000 pounds overweight as a cement bulk tanker. point point point as I mentally evaluated how many of them will fit in a R model mack cab and wrote out my leaving the trucking industry after. (Didnt happen they let me go with a green light, Jericho's walls could never stand against such miracles, I tell you...)

 

Louisana scales.

tsk tsk tsk. Let's see. Vicksburg scales. You put her on the platform follow signs instructions. (Half of which is rusted out) if you don't you are red lighted and brought in for a talking to. Then let out.

One time coming off 70+ to 15 mph in 100 feet on their ramp is impossible. I smashed to a stop on their platform. Red lighted and checked for a hour. Much good that did, didnt find anything. That time.

I hate to pick on our dear Bayou neighbors, but in the matter of spread axle weights allowing 40K back there on 10+ feet spreads, its about as long as a gator that they catch occasionally. Its one way they can understand it's legal.

Mississippi is poor. Even their plantations are in need of upkeep. They try so hard to be genteel and rise above the poverty, bless them. Just not be near Memphis. Improvements have been built here and there. Watch for deer.

There is a interstate curve somewhere in the eastern part saying 35 mph for a curve. Follow that sign. They mean 35 mph if northbound.

In winter mississippi likes to sand their bridges a foot thick for the ice. And forget about it until after it's finished, if at all. So you are on your own in ice storms.

Alabama is a interesting situation. It wont be too bad for you. You might like them.

Florida has some towns that may not strike you as right. Don't worry about it. There are always something down there. Just be happy and go about your day.