Car Hauler or Tanker Yanker??

Hi Jen, the choice, for me, would be easy. Tanker all the way. While there are sweet car hauling gig's, most are a PITA, and very labor intensive. Crawling around those things in all kinds of weather, cars that you can't get to, or don't start, or like you say, less than desirable delivery places. A sweet car hauling gig would be like new cars to a dealer or auction cars maybe, but the rest, I wouldn't touch, and I've done it all. Tanker is the opposite end of the spectrum. My best jobs were tanker, but be advised, lot's of nasty stuff goes in tankers, so it's very important to keep your wits about you and pay attention to what you are doing, and never forget what's behind you ( like 7,000 gallons of gasoline) I'd go for milk or water or pneumatic tanker. Regular customers, regular routes, good pay, many even by the hour. Best of luck.

 

As a car hauler for most of my 24 years driving I do like it, but a tanker job is very nice as well. I have pulled tanker for a part time job hauling spring water from the source to a bottling plant and spent a year in 2010 hauling drilling products in a vac tanker when natural gas exploration boomed in northeast Pa. You are in a good area in Harrisburg to have your choice of freight to haul so it is more important to pick the company that gives you the best benefits for your personal situation (hometime, pay, benefits, schedule, etc). My pay was good hauling tanker although my pay as a company driver hauling cars was better but it was a lot more manual labor and working outside in all weather conditions for hours at a time. You will get your exercise as a car hauler, lots of walking, climbing, and arm strength securing vehicles. My best year as a company driver hauling cars was $102,000 with fully paid medical and three weeks vacation. As an owner operator now I net more than that but also have a lot more responsibility.

If you went the car haul route there are several companies in your area that do new car from the rail ramps or ports that would pay very well, but you will be slipseating equipment and will have to work your way into a predictable schedule. If you can deal with that for a few years you will have an awesome career ahead of you. You also have large companies that haul off-lease, wholesale, and repo units into the auctions, fortunately for you Manheim Auctions is just north of Harrisburg and they are the largest and busiest auto auction in the country, so you should have no problem finding plenty of work doing what I do (auction cars). If you want to do the auction route TJ McGeehan is a good off lease hauling company, I think they do new units as well, non-union but they pay well, have great equipment, and you get an assigned truck. I do not know if they hire from schools but it is worth a call.

Some people will laugh at my next statement, but in Harrisburg there are also lots of intermodal jobs which are home daily, very little labor involved, and pay decent, even the big ones like JB and Schneider pay their intermodal people well. Just something else to think about.

Last thought, since you already have a class B, why not look at adding tank and haz-mat and working for a fuel oil or propane delivery company? I know a few people who do just that and they are making $18-$25 per hour with lots of OT in the colder months and guaranteed 40 hours the rest of the year. Granted they have to be on call one or two nights a week for customer emergencies, but it is easy work and decent pay without the hassle of maneuvering a combination vehicle. Just a thought. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

It's apples vs oranges. I currently haul tankers and I'm seriously looking at going back to cars. (I'm an O/O now, so there's different things I look for then a company driver)

Tanks are better in some ways and worse in others. Both jobs you will be outside in the weather, although in tanking once things are hooked up, you can take a brake in the truck.

While it's true we don't usually wait for lumpers, it can take time to load and unload and not all places work by appt. Most loading takes about 2 hours and unloading can take anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours. ( depends on product, size of hoses, pump vs compressor, product temp.... Etc.) The best part is if I have to wait, I get paid. (My rule is time wheels touch property till time wheels leave property.)There's been times I waited 6 hours in line to unload plus another 2 to actually unload.

There is some physical labor involved in tanking, although not as much as in cars.

I worked for Cassens many years ago, but was laid off when the plant closed I was out of. Personally, I've always wanted to go back to car hauling, I found there was more money in cars. As an O/O, I've found tanking pay to be all over the board, but I've never pulled tanks as a company guy, so that wouldn't really effect you.

What ever you choose, stick with it for at least 6 months to a year, it takes that long just to start to understand what you're doing.

If you choose tanks, always compensate for the "surge", especially in the winter.

 

Good morning JenV. I was wondering what you decided on? I am changing careers and in the middle of getting my class A. I have an ex that was a car hauler so I have experience loading and unloading and in the truck but I havent decided what I am going to do next

 

I recently got my hands into car hauling
And I have to say I love it.
I’m looking into purchasing a 7-8 car trailer of my own to pull around.
You can make some good money and it keeps you active I love the activity part of it loading unloading

 

I am nee on the site so I can not message anybody yet. Anyway you can message me

 

What would you like to know?

 

Hi SMD. Are you located in Sacramento?
I recently obtained my CDL permit. I signed up for a local trucking school in Sacramento but unfortunately they’re not providing the training I paid for and I am in the process of trying to get a refund to attend another school. In the meantime, I was hoping to find a local big rig owner operator that would allow me to come along for a haul and job shadow. I do not need to drive the rig (although any experience would be appreciated) I was just hoping to gain some wisdom from someone who’s career involves driving. As I stated above, I have my CDL permit and I am currently studying pre-trips and learning about what the DMV behind the wheel test involves.


I’m a highly motivated 38 year old male, who has wanted to get into the trucking industry for a few years now. I’m a quick learner, who works hard and is very dedicated.


If you, or someone you may know would be interested in giving me this opportunity, I would greatly appreciate it.


Thank you.

Richard Delgado Jr.

 

At this point TANKER!!!!