The Pneumatic Tanker Thread

I was quite happy. Just happen (complete coincidence) to luck into a nice day gig close to home. If it doesn't pan out, I'll be back at May.

 

This is one of our 5 hopper trailers. Our big trailers 2000-2600cu ft are all 4-5 hoppers and range from 13-17k empty. All 53'ers most trandem's and 5-quads. We pack up to 32ton.

 

I’m going to be pulling a 3 hopper trailer. I start training Tuesday. I’ve been watching some YouTube videos just to familiarize myself with how they work.

Looking forward to learning something new.

 

Welcome! What kind of product will you be hauling?

 

I’m not for sure what all we carry. I think one product is concrete mix.

 

Welp, I had a eventful day yesterday. I had a pickup in NE Wyoming. Wyoming has some crazy scenery. So I get to the pickup, my dispatch said they are 24/7. I turn on a dirt road that tells me the shipping office is 2 miles down the dirt road. About a half mile up there is a split in the road, there is a sign with an arrow pointing to one section stating "scale" or I could follow my path and continue to the office. The scale road was uphill, and looked like a mud pit. But I figured trucks had to be using the scale so maybe it just looked worse than it was.

So I decide to try it without even throwing chains. Didnt work too well. Got maybe a quarter way up and lost traction, then started to back down and ran one of my drives into the shoulder muck. Well that sucks, but Im sure with this shipper having all dirt roads, they must have something on hand to pull trucks? So I call the shipper number, get an automated machine, then a voicemail. Let me also point out its almost dark'o'clock. At this point, I realize how dumb it was for me not to run to the office first and make sure they are open, and that Im suppose to use the scale, lol. Fortunately, a night shift plant worker was on his way in and saw me, and he got a dozer to come pull me out.

Doesnt stop there, though! The shipper said they had another facility that was about a mile further down the road, and that was the one I was suppose to be at. Awesome. So I get there, spent another 15m trying to figure out how to get to the shipping office without getting stuck again (their road were all muddy, too). Then, I get told by the shipping clerk that I need a washout receipt to get loaded. Called dispatch and it seems that it slipped their mind that I needed a washout. So then I had to drive 50 miles down the road, and have to wait until monday to get a washout so I can load. Aaahhhhhhhh fun funn.

It's really fun playing with the tank. Every valve does something different, and you can mess around with them all. Dry bulk has most of the benefits of the tanker world, yet there is no liquid surge.

 

Sounds like a very frustrating day. What kind of shipper is *that* far down a dirt road - a frac sand place?

 

It's a bentonite mine. No clue why they dont want to pave the thing. Its not a new facility. Most of it is good hard dirt, but once you get down to the mine area you have to watch where you put your tires. Luckily I found out they have heavy equipment running 24/7 in case someone does slip.

 

The company I’m going to work for is regional. They have about 25 trucks. Very little turn over. I got the gig because they’re expanding by about 10 trucks.

My intnerview was with the owner and his right hand man did the road test (Pete 387? With loaded trailer).

The owner told me “we don’t chain. If it’s bad enough to chain, we hit down”.

I don’t mind chaining, but I’m good with not chaining. Lol

The best part is the job pays more than I was making doing OTR (reefer) and I’ll be home every weekend and will pass through the house often through the week.

Also, not only is the tractor assigned, but so is the trailer.

 

Goodness, I feel like a rookie all over. I’m in a long nose Pete (389) for the first time in my 6 year driving career. And, the trailer can’t be more than about 42-45 feet (Heil 3 hopper).

I’m used to hanging my head out of the window on my Cascadia to see really good and the 53’ trailer is easier to manage (slower turning). I could back that setup like a champ.

I backed into a parking spot earlier and I have to say I was quite embarrassed at how many times I had to pull up and try to get straight.

Oh well, I suppose practice will make perfect.