Wannabe with some stupid questions....

I guess i'll throw my 2 cents in. Here are your true answers... 1. If your a company driver, the company pays for everything, with the exception of out of route miles. 2. Baffled tankers react pretty much the same as any other trailer. I haul fuel so yes I do know. However, transport tanks like milk tanks (without baffles) react completely different and takes a little more patience because of the constant surge. You will figure that out very quickly. 3. Bobtails of course are easier to drive, your not dragging 45 to 53 feet of trailer behind you, DUH. However, like was mentioned before, if you get on ice or snow you need to use some common sense and slow down. You have no weight for traction. Its almost as bad as pulling an empty flatbed. Not fun...

 

Yes
No
Yes

..in that order.

 

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. No.
4. You're right, those were stupid questions.

Seriously, for the first question, yes, if you drive a company truck the company pays all fuel costs. That said, they also make decisions on idle time and out of route miles because of those costs. When you look for a carrier to start with, look for a company with APU Units or some sort of technology. A company like Knight will prohibit you from idling to stay comfortable and in some cases may charge you.

Your 2nd question about tankers. The tankers can move you. Seriously. Take a empty Coke bottle and fill it half way with water, make the water move. See what happens? The bottle moves. Same thing with tankers. You have to be able to handle the surge and know how to lessen it. Start with a box or reefer or flat, then move up. You're new so that will make life a bit easier than trying to figure out how to handle an 80,000 lb vehicle while liquid wants you to move further than you intended to.

3rd, today's trucks are a lot easier to handle than the trucks of the past. That said, it's designed to haul trailers. With no weight on the back end, the ride gets rough and will bounce you around. No getting past the science of that.

Good luck, be safe and don't forget to be professional every day in every way

 

Great Reply's
Thank You All !!

 

Also, dont let anyone tell you that you have asked a stupid question. The only stupid question is the one not asked. And since 70 percent of drivers on the road are "stupid" you need not worry too much about their opinion.

 

Amen driver

 

HONESTLY until you are out here even just a lil while you wont even know the questions to ask. I would ask all kinds of other stuff today but would prolly be right here anyway. I see what i dont wanna drive more everyday I was made for OTR driving spent my whole life away from home and now the comfort i get in this truck is more important then a few more cents and not having an apu or inverter or paying a lease deal on a truck that is already old