Switching from dry van to tanker

Definitely my back-up plan. However, Wally World seems pretty dang amazing so far. I’ve yet to feel such a brotherhood and family atmosphere at a trucking company otherwise.

 

Because of the extra hazard fuel haulers generally are paid more, just run the much higher risk of an "event" occurring when your hauling fuel. And need to be that much more extra careful specially if your hauling petroleum (gasoline) rather than diesel. This is where learning how to drive defensively will specially come in handy, to be constantly on the lookout for traffic and sudden movements, will help you avoid many "road incidents' which can prove to be catastrophic if hauling fuel. For this reason alone I'd rather be hauling things like fruit juice, water non-toxic fluids if I had the choice.

 

I’m looking at my options and have been trying to find more info on Custom Commodities, not seeing much out there in the way of driver reviews and such. What can you say about them good, bad, etc? What’s the pay & mileage like? How long did you run for them? I’m pulling dry vans OTR now for 2 years, have passport, TWIC, just got my haz and tank endorsements. Based in Houston area. Appreciate any insight. Thanks

 

If you are located in/near the Houston area....then you pretty much have almost all of the hazmat tanker world in your "back yard".

Almost all of that world at this point is your oyster, as they say.

Thus -- I would not limit my research to just Custom Commodities.

Think big. Go long. Look around.

-- Lual

 

Thank you. Yeah, fair point. I just had not seen much on them specifically so taking advantage of seeing someone with experience over there. Website sounded interesting, but then, don’t they all?

That said, I’ve only worked at my (current) starter company that trained me, so this is sort of new for me trying to figure out where to go from here. Seems for every good review (regardless of the company) there are 3-5 others that will chime in and say “avoid them like the plague.” Only going to get a shiny sales pitch from recruiters. How does one cut through the BS? Happy to take any recommendations based on personal experiences, understanding it will be different for everyone.

I was strongly looking at Oakley up until they changed their policy to requiring 2 years tanker experience, not just tractor trailer. I was in the final stage, but recruiter dropped the bombshell on me yesterday. Technically doesn’t go into effect until September but they don’t have any orientation classes going prior to then so by the time they could bring me in, I would no longer qualify…

Eventually I’ll probably look for more local, but problem in this area is most of the industry is south of Houston closer to the ports and I live a fair bit to the north side of Houston. If I have to tack on an extra 3 hours or so roundtrip commuting on top of a long driving day, I’m not going to get much sleep or see my wife anyway so just assume be on the road and sleep in the cab.

that post ran a little longer than I intended, lol

 

Personally, from my own experience at/with Oakley....I think getting the door slammed in your face like that was a blessing in disguise.

With that said -- please accept my personal "Congratulations!" -- you have indeed successfully dodged a career "bullet"....so to speak.

If you have 2 successful years of dry van under your belt, and you now have an "itch" to try out life in the tanker world, here's are some suggestions for you to think about:

• Living in or near the Houston area gives you incredibly ready access to many tanker opportunities that I can only dream about. Relish how the trucking gods have thus smiled upon you....
• Decide whether you want to be home daily, weekly, or less often. Then go from there.
• Given the current overall economic status quo, and where it's most likely headed, my vote sez for you to pursue opportunities within the hazmat tanker world that are more resilient in/during economic setbacks. What might those be, you might ask? I think these are some safe bets, looking forward:

1. Hauling/delivering fuel.
2. Cryogenics.
3. Petrochemicals (propane, butane, LNG).

​

Within those sectors, you should stay at least relatively busy, regardless of how bad most of the rest of the economy might later decide to tank (yes, pun intended ). Another advantage there -- each of those suggestions above is a pretty easy "jump" from vans. Yet another advantage: unlike food-grade tanker duty -- within those above listings, you GET PAID FOR E-V-E-R-Y-THING YOU DO (if you are on your DOT clock).

Bonus points awarded to you -- if you can score a gig with a private carrier that does one of the above.

Within the Houston area....and for that matter, in Texas....companies are constantly advertising for drivers willing to do the above kinds of freight. Some of course are better than others. But for the discussion here -- try and stick with opportunities within the private carriers.

Worst case scenario: you get a job you later decide you don't like -- but now you have this kick-butt resume that will let you work pretty much anywhere else, later!!!

-- Lual

 

The only companies I know that have terminals on the north side are Transliquid Technologies (Noxguard) and RC Transportation. Both are located just east of 59 and Parker Rd.

Most other companies have their terminals in Baytown or Pasadena.

RC Transportation, For Your Liquid Transport Needs

https://www.transliquidtechnologies.com/

 

Thanks for your insight, Lual

 

Thank you. Do you have any experience with either one?

 

BTW, if you don’t mind me asking, what was so bad about Oakley? Curious as to what I would have been walking into…