The Fuel Hauler Thread

Pilot had sent brand new 13-speed T880s with drop axles to Utah to haul crude last year, but then canned their crude hauling division.

We as fuel haulers got sent two of those T880s in WY, one was mine before I left for Gemini. Truly the only thing I miss about pilot, it was a hoot to drive vs these auto frieghtshakers. But still not worth a $5.50/hr pay cut at pilot lol.

 

thinking of moving to the auburn al area and will need a fuel hauler job....any ideas?

 

How much fuel experience do you already have (if any)?

-- L

 

T800 is an amazing machine.

 

I guess they heard us talking about them and decided to give it another try to prove the haters wrong

 

Hey all! Got questions for ya. (This may get a bit long, so bear with me)

Little info first.
43 years old, had my CDL since I was 19, started hauling farm equipment. Ran that until I was 29, then switched to pulling dry bulk tanks. Been doing it ever since. And while the money isn't the issue (it could be better though), I'm looking for something different.Got a clean record, other than a minor accident 3 1/2 years ago, which I was ruled at fault. I'd argue it was a no fault accident, but the police report says different. I wasn't given a ticket, but our insurance ate the damage. But otherwise I have a spotless record.
I Can't really go over the road right now, for family reasons, and I don't want to live in a truck anyway. But I been seeing billboards and ads for fuel hauling for Sheetz, Pilot, and a couple other, smaller companies in my area. Sheetz is advertising $41 and change per hour. This has my attention.

So I talked with a few guys that previously worked for Sheetz, one was fired for cell phone use while driving. Another quit because he relocated to another state. Another is still employed, but I don't trust too much of what he says.

So, does anyone on here have any other knowledge of hauling fuel for Sheetz, or Pilot? I'm leaning towards those two because they're close to home, and I'd be new to the fuel hauling side of things. And I'd assume their training is probably better than the smaller outfits.

I think I'd prefer the night shift, less traffic and such. I'm sure I'll be working weekends and holidays, but hey, if the money is good, why not? Do they cut your hours after you get into overtime?

I'm assuming that most of the fuel haulers have driver facing cameras? How's that working for those of you that have them? Do they bother you about everything, or are these companies reasonable about things? I'm ok with a camera, but would like to steer clear of companies that feel the need to watch my every move, and haul me into the office for 'retraining' at every opportunity.

And finally, while all this appears to be a pretty easy gig, what am I missing, besides the obvious dangers that come with hauling gas and fuel? Thanks in advance

 

Cant speak to sheets but from the interviews I've seen from drivers there they like it, despite the rotating schedule. They certainly pay more than pilot. I worked about a year and a half for Pilot before coming to Loves (Gemini Motor Transport).

Pilot doesn't cut you off overtime, if the works there you'll be able to work up to your 70 if you want. Their cameras are sensitive, they would go off for scratching my back but I never got talked to about it. So long as you're not on your phone and being unsafe you won't hear anything. If you do your job you won't have any problems but if you make yourself a target they will start to look for petty reasons to fire you.

Overall pilot is one of the best places to get experience fuel hauling and get your cards but that's it. They don't offer any incentives to stay long term, no guaranteed raises, no long term bonuses. Pilot gave my area a 50 cent raise after 3 years...i was at $30.50/hr and jumped to $36 at loves. Benefits are ok but not great vs competitors. I'd aim for sheets if it were between those two.

 

Yeah I was leaning towards Sheetz, they're advertising $41 an hour and a 4 day work week. But I don't know if it's a rotating schedule or what.

You mentioned getting your cards. I'd assume cards to load at the racks? Is that a drawn out process? With my current job, some of our places we load require a card to get loaded, but it's usually a five minute process. I'd assume getting cards for the loading racks for fuel would be a bit more involved?