Cool, thanks for explaining. Does someone physically get inside the tank and basically pressure wash it, or is it automated with a machine of some sort? Ok, so no food grade product in trailers that have hauled non-food-grade product. What about trailers that have hauled some kind of hazmat product? Anything special that has to be done to clean that out, or is it just the same as any other wash? Sorry for all the questions, just curious.
Oh yeah, they go down in there and wash it out. Different products can have different requirements. Caustic, detergent washes, etc. I honestly dont know all the reasons behind every type. All I do is check that the right wash was done when I pick up the trailer. And I only check the type of wash if my work assignment says a certain type of wash was required by the shipper I am going to.
So I take it that we need a good flashlight to look inside the dome lid to make sure its clean and dry?
Well, a good flashlight, sure. But when you pick up a clean empty trailer, like Ethos said, you check your washout slip to make sure it had the specific wash that your customer requires. But every time you pick up a clean empty trailer, it is almost always clean, dry, and odor free. You don't just know this by shining a flashlight down in through the dome lid, but the tankwash company leaves open the internal and external valves on the trailer until it is picked up by a driver. It is the drivers responsibility to not only look down through the dome lid and inspect for clean dry and odor free, but to check the external valve for the same. Then to close the internal and external valves, to check the QRB (Quick Release Bonnet) for clean dry odor free and to check for new clean packing in the QRB. Up on top, he also is opening every washout cap and checking for clean dry and odor free, and checking for a clean and operational gasket as well. After the driver inspects all these things, he closes everything back up, makes sure it's tightly sealed and he's ready to present this trailer to his next customer. In addition to all of this, I also like to expose my bare hand and wipe around the top of the tank at the dome lid to make sure that is clean and dry as well. If a driver finds anything not up to par, he simply notifies the tankwash personnel before leaving and requests it to be corrected. I can quality check and pre-trip a trailer in 5 minutes.
just wanted to say thank you ethos for this thread I am new to the trucking industry and trying to do as much reading and learning as i can
I agree, Schneider Tanker I would have to consider if I go tanker-yanker. Also, my youngest is bout to go in the Corp, can't talk him into Army Airborne like the old man. See that Ethos is a Marine
I had my phone interview yesterday morning for Schneider Bulk Division. Monday I am going to the terminal to do the Pre-work screen before they can send me to CDL class.
