So, driving tanker seems profitable, whats the catch?

[QUOTE="semi" retired;3976912] <snip>On it's maiden voyage, he got to the cheese plant, like he'd done hundreds of times before, hooked up his hose while talking to an employee on how nice the wagon looked, opened the valve without opening the top, and SUCKED 'ER IN! He was devastated.[/QUOTE]

You mean that he vacuum-crushed the trailer?!? OUCH!

 

Yep, it doesn't take long. I hauled liquid waste (poop) for a pumping service company for a while to a treatment plant, and they had a used shiny milk tanker. While pumping off once, the wind blew the top cover shut, and luckily, I was standing right there. I immediately closed the valve, couldn't have been more than 10 seconds, I climbed up the ladder to open the cover, and it wouldn't budge. Finally, with the help of a crowbar, I got it open, I couldn't believe how much vacuum built up. After that, I put a tarp strap on the cover to hold it open.

 

I have never pulled a tank with baffles. Most tanker companies don't have baffles so he will more likely pull a smooth bore, just like everyone else.

 

I am paid to wait. Not sure if thats everywhere

 

I will only speak to my situation.

But I pull doubles (Smooth bore main and pup) about 80% of the time and a single the rest of the time, depending on BOL. The doubles, believe it or not, seem to cancel out MOST of the surge. But not all. And actually are alot easier to drive than I thought they would be. The single has much greater surge, but again, slow down, shift between surges and think ahead, and it's not USUALLY a big problem. Oh, and NEVER take your foot off the brake at a stop sign/ stop light until your ready to move. Surges continue for a few after stopping.

As for pay, I am paid by the hour currently. So I'm paid whether driving or forced to wait. Just have to watch the "on-duty" clock. But there ARE other situations and I've talked with other drivers and the pay options seem to run the gammut. In other words, just like other forms of trucking, just usually paid more in those forms.

Get your foot in the door and put YOUR best effort in and you'll advance fairly quickly if you prove yourself capable and dependable. And always be looking for the best company FOR YOU!!! And it's NOT always about the money (although that IS a factor).

I PERSONALLY am working towards my wife and my dream location. So, whatever gets us to that is what we do FOR NOW. Doing the best job possible and gaining as much experience and VERSATILITY as possible will get you there.

 

BTW, To "REALSUPATRUCKA"

I LOVE your avatar/signature. that would be MY Ideal set-up!!! Just with my colors.

NICE!!!

 

Good heavens, All-American82, you're a brave soldier dragging "wiggle wagon" tankers. I wouldn't pull 2 boxes around, 1 wagon is enough, but I'm kind of a wuss. I know, no guts, no glory.

 

Yes!!! will collapse it like a cheap beer can.

I personally always put my dome nuts back up so if the dome gets blown "shut", it won't actually shut. And YES, when that vacuum takes hold, if you have no way to bleed off, you WILL NOT open the lid it will be so strong. I'm not sure Hercules could open it. LOL!

Keep a crowbar handy. LOL!

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;3977293]Good heavens, All-American82, you're a brave soldier dragging "wiggle wagon" tankers. I wouldn't pull 2 boxes around, 1 wagon is enough, but I'm kind of a wuss. I know, no guts, no glory.[/QUOTE]

LOL LOL LOL! Not sure "Brave" is the right word. LOL.

Just what I learned out of the box. So I guess it's really that I didn't know any better. LOL. Now it's like second nature. And I was really unsure when I got the chance, but it was the chance I was given. So I took it. It's really not as bad as I envisioned though. THANK GOODNESS!!! LOL!

 

Waited over 5 hrs to have a sample test @ Abbott labs, we get paid to sit
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