Tankers

Made my mind up to go tanker,,, Hazardous or Non Hazardous materials it don't matter. Is there anybody on this site that can give me some advice or insight on this journey I'm about to take?

So you made up your mind about what you want to do but now you want advice? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

I drove food grade tanker for a year one time and I loved it. But for someone straight out of school tanker can be tough. It's incredibly dangerous with the liquids sloshing around and of course a Hazmat loads makes it ten times worse. There are dry bulk tankers that Schneider National runs and they take students straight out of school. It would be dry bulk materials. I'm not sure if it's food grade or not. Food grade would be flour, grains, and such. Non-food grade would be like various sands and powders. So that's something to consider.

What made you decide to run tanker?

So you made up your mind about what you want to do but now you want advice? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

I drove food grade tanker for a year one time and I loved it. But for someone straight out of school tanker can be tough. It's incredibly dangerous with the liquids sloshing around and of course a Hazmat loads makes it ten times worse. There are dry bulk tankers that Schneider National runs and they take students straight out of school. It would be dry bulk materials. I'm not sure if it's food grade or not. Food grade would be flour, grains, and such. Non-food grade would be like various sands and powders. So that's something to consider.

What made you decide to run tanker?

First thing that made me look at tanker was the fact that it comes with work. My grandfather grew me up doing dangerous work...Not tanker work but Swamp Logging. Im not sure if you know what that is but its Very tough and Very dangerous. Also the pay seems to be a little higher starting as a rookie driver. I've always felt like this....if one man can do a job then I can do that same job. Also I see it as a challenge and I love a challenge. You said you loved pulling a tanker and I think ill love it to Brett. "Hard Work Always Pays Off" has Always been my motto!!!!

Hey, look into flatbed too. Tanker really isn't all that much work per se. Sometimes you'll have to get out a couple of hoses and run the pump to offload something, but that's about it. The dangerous and difficult part is driving it.

Flatbed of course is incredibly interesting because you're hauling all kinds of different stuff, it's a lot of physical labor, and the camaraderie amongst flatbedders is about the best of any form of trucking. I'm not trying to talk you into flatbedding or out of tankers but from what you've said I think you might enjoy flatbed better than tankers. Ya never know. But heck....there will be plenty of time to try everything at some point.

Hey, look into flatbed too. Tanker really isn't all that much work per se. Sometimes you'll have to get out a couple of hoses and run the pump to offload something, but that's about it. The dangerous and difficult part is driving it.

Flatbed of course is incredibly interesting because you're hauling all kinds of different stuff, it's a lot of physical labor, and the camaraderie amongst flatbedders is about the best of any form of trucking. I'm not trying to talk you into flatbedding or out of tankers but from what you've said I think you might enjoy flatbed better than tankers. Ya never know. But heck....there will be plenty of time to try everything at some point.

Cool Brett!!!!.....I think I will look at flatbed because I love physical work!!!....Can you point me in the direction of some of the top flatbed companies and 1 more thing...is the pay similar to tankers???

The pay in flatbed is just as good if not better than tankers. And the job is a heck of a lot more interesting.

Western Express, Maverick, TMC, Schneider, and Werner are all flatbed companies worth looking into. We have a number of flatbed drivers here in the forum and I hope they'll chime in with even more companies that are worth a look.

Don't forget about Melton. I personally like then a lot, they pay very well and can get you home often.

The pay in flatbed is just as good if not better than tankers. And the job is a heck of a lot more interesting.

Western Express, Maverick, TMC, Schneider, and Werner are all flatbed companies worth looking into. We have a number of flatbed drivers here in the forum and I hope they'll chime in with even more companies that are worth a look.

Hey Thanks A lot Brett,,, I Really Appreciate your time on helping me that's why you have the Best forum on the internet!!!!!!!

Don't forget about Melton. I personally like then a lot, they pay very well and can get you home often.

Thanks for the information Daniel I'm writing as we speak!!!!

D-wash I think you would find this thread very interesting.

Flatbed Variety