I'm working!

Does that count :lol:...

Cam, though I stay out of Mike's post :roll:, I guess you could say that I (and Skywalker to a lesser extent) represent Superior Carriers on the company driver side over in the "What about his trucking company" forum in my "Tanker info for y'all..." thread.

I like reading this one here since it gives a very good idea to everyone about how much can be made pulling somewhat of a specialized segment of this industry, versus working for a company who pays straight mileage pay alone. One thing is very consistent be it company driver or O/O with chemical tankers. We run fewer miles for the same or more income than our van brethren :wink:.

:?: Maniac, Mike, Orangetxguy, and Paul...I'll be sending you all pm's asap with some questions.

 

Rut Roh,is this the reason for the vacation?

 

No actually the little woman has a buisness trip to Vancouver BC and all I had to do was pay my airfare and I could go along ........anything to get out of work 8) I know. After the week I had, :dung:I need a break

The big green machine is already fixed and running...........GEEZ if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any. 2 years 2 rears............ :roll:

 

79k gross in PA and WV, this isn't typical in the fleet, is it?

 

Cool, I appreciate it. All of you are saying the same thing. I need to pray about this. Largely it's about timing and giving up the complete control of my dispatching. One thing is for sure, I don't like thin profit margins. I won't be satisfied until I'm earning more than enough.

 

By typical do you mean 79K gross, or what happened to my rear end?

The answer would be yes and no.

79K gross is pretty accurate, chemicals are shipped at max legal almost all of the time, since the rate is high the customer wants max loads.

There are exceptions, like when a customer only needs a certain amount of product, but they are few.

As far as my rear end goes, I know that the components in my truck are at the edge of their operating strengh, the BIG Cat puts out lots and lots of power, and this is taking its toll on the drivetrain.

Of course I didn;t help it by driving 60 miles or so at 70 MPH with the power divider locked IN ops:

I have been pulling tankers since the late 80's and have NEVER EVER had a componenet failure due to the liquid surge, and also NEVER any failures or problems due to idling either.

These newer, higher horsepower trucks are pushing components to their breaking strengh, simple as that, of course the manufacturers would disagree with me, BUT look at it this way, the manufacturers CLAIM these engines and component can go 1 million miles, yet ONLY warranty them for 500,000 miles.................why is that?

Sems to me they would put their money where thier mouth is and come out with a million mile warranty.

Tankers are still the BEST $$$..hands down.

 

Ok thanks, Maniac. It's just that whenever I get myself into a situation where I'm pulling heavy in the mountains it's almost like I can feel the strain myself. The truck may be doing just fine but I'm very conscious with the van loads that the light loads pay just as well and I try when I can to pull lighter loads on flatter land.

So, tanker guys aren't replacing their rears all the time. There are trade offs, more money but also max gross loads in the mountains at times. I'm hearing the trade off is worth it and I can believe it.

 

Like I said, NO better money with any other type of freight.

Heavy, YEP, but definitley worth it, just go up to ANY tanker driver and ask 8)

 

I will add that 45,000# in a tank feels like 50,000# in a van,when rolling up and down hills.The damn liquid feels like it is pulling you backwards.....

 

How about 52,000 pounds!


When I pulled food-grade for Jim Aartman that was our average net weight per load. :lol: