Tanker stuff for an experienced n00b; how's an automatic, Canada, etc...

Can't answer all your questions but I do cross into Quebec everyday. Passport or Fast Card is what you'll need. Where I cross in VT they're doing construction so getting back into the US can be a pain and a bit of a wait 1-2 hrs). Crossing into Canada is quick and easy...at least I've never had any problems. Canada customs is friendlier then US imo.

As far as DOT, I don't like the Canadian DOT. Trucks are supposed to be governed to 65mph and my boss doesn't want to do that - he'd rather pay the $531 fine (smh). There are differences in log book requirements and some DOT can be jerks about it.

One bonus in Canada is the driving hours go up to 13 hrs and you are able to work up to 16 hrs in a day. It's helped me a few times in making a delivery and getting back down to the border. I'll just park at a truck stop, take my 10 off and cross the border in the morning.

Dunno if this helped but that my .02

 

As far as I know a TWIC card makes no difference at the border.

Having elogs helps, that's what I have in my truck as well. The hrs of service and crossing the border are all done automatically on my elog. I just have to press "ok" to confirm that I'm crossing the border. Once you're in Canada your elog should switch over to Canadian hrs and all that good stuff. I use peoplenet but I would assume Qualcomm and others are the same way in regard to border crossing.

 

Your e-log will switch from DOT to MOT at the border, the regs are similar except a longer day is allowed. Speed limiters are only required in On and Qc, most western Canadian freeways are 110-120 kmh (70-75 mph). Inspections are generally a little more rigorous than the states, but the routine is the same. Passport or FAST card required to re-enter the states, TWIC card is only (some) US seaports. Don't even think about bringing a gun, if customs finds any gun related stuff in the truck, ammunition, cleaning kits etc. you can expect a lengthy period of serious dismantling. Remember travelling either way, you have no rights, you are not a free citizen of anywhere and after you are there you cannot turn back.
On the up side, have your paperwork ready and organized, keep your attitude professional and polite and you should go through with no problems. If there is any thing you do not understand about your customs documents call your company immediately. Everything is electronically pre-cleared now so much of the old hassle over paper is over but do not arrive at the border before your pre clearance is confirmed. Hope this helps, you don't have the amenities on the highway here no truck stops every 40 miles, but if your company is a regular trans border gig then your co-workers can fill in the details on where to stop. Most Canadian fuel stops are unmanned cardlocks or else they have limited restaurant hours, nights can be long lonely and hungry here, hope I haven't scared you off, I'm sure you will enjoy it

 

"Pre-clearance"? You mean there's a system now so that you don't have to go look for the customs broker's office, get your release sheet, go back up to Customs, drop your paperwork in the overstuffed basket, and wait an hour or two until they get around to releasing you?

I've been away awhile, forgive my ignorance....

 

Get your passport. You need it to get back into the United States.

Things have changed since 9-11 (Even then it was NOT that bad... at winsdor or Buffalo) But when real ID and enhanced licenses kicked in and becoming mandatory, states that do not participate such as Oklahoma will require a passport to enter federal installations and board domestic flights etc. Arkansas requries it by 2020. I still have my 80's era passport, but it's expired. There will be a new one pending. But first things first.

Canada exchange rate was .73 to the dollar a couple weeks ago. That makes it a 20 to 25% pay increase in food pricing, fuel etc for you in your favor. You can spend not so much in American Dollars.

Customs at the Peace Bridge has gotten stricter at the gate. Have all your papers in order there, and again in the Customs facility 3 miles or so into Winsdor itself.

It's been a long time since Canada for us, but not that long. We were and are clean as a whistle so it's not a problem. It's actually a asset. They might be useful someday.

 

I drive for a company that pulls chemical tankers, and at this point I think our fleet is mostly autos. I'm still in a 10-speed, but I haven't heard any complaints about the autos. In fact, the few that I've driven shifted slowly and smoothly enough that they actually mitigated the surge somewhat, and of course you have some control over that by how hard you press on the accelerator. These are not the automatic transmissions of a decade ago.

We also go to Canada enough that a passport is a requirement for employment here. I've never had any trouble going to Canada, but as has already been mentioned, do not bring guns or weapons. That's the one thing they always ask about, and they usually ask more than once. The electronic pre-clearance is nice as well, and most brokers have websites where you can check your status before you approach the border to make sure you're cleared. Piece of cake.

I've also never had any trouble finding parking in Canada, and for the most part there are plenty of truckstops.

One thing you might want to look into is what your phone carrier's policies are for use in Canada. Some offer decent plans for Canada, and for others, depending on how often you expect to be there, it might actually be cheaper to just pay the roaming charges. Or you could put your phone in airplane mode at the border and only use it when you find wifi.

You might also want to think about currency, too. Canada is phasing out magstrip cards and moving to chip-only POS systems, and many US banks restrict their debit and credit cards to domestic use only—you don't want to find that out when you're already in Canada. Some drivers fuel up in Canada and then take a cash advance off their fuel card to get Canadian currency if they expect to be there long enough or often enough to need it.

 

I don't like the new limitations on the money flow. I already started running into products from overseas on line and Ive hit denials when banks deny the transaction for reasons unknown. Now I understand a little bit. In my time in canada Ive found it to be a land of joy and light. No limitations that I know of other than metric.