Haul fuel or LTL/linehaul...

i vote linehaul. if top pay isn't 90k+ you aren't looking at the right company.

 

Simple question. Do you like to run the miles or do multiple stops in a night?

 

This is honestly a good way to judge. I've done linehaul and currently run fuel at nights. Linehaul was the easiest money I've made, but I hated running 550mi every night through the same exact highway and interstate system. Running fuel I make more money in less hours getting paid by the load ... but not much more. I like running fuel though because I'd rather have something a little more active than linehaul. Just preference though, I know plenty of people who have no problem running them long roads on linehaul.

 

Linehaul is so easy you'll think you're doing something wrong at first.

But...
It can get grueling if you get stuck on a boring route. It can get frustrating dealing with boneheads in dispatch. It'll stress you out a little more in the winter as when you drive isn't really up to you anymore, you can't wait a storm out or wait for the plow trucks, if you stop you're finding a hotel. And it can be a real ##### when things finally start running smoothly, and then like clockwork the company decides to change it all up on you again.
At the end of the week your bank account makes you wonder why you ever did anything else though.

Can't speak any on hailing fuel, but that's how I feel about linehaul.

 

I vote linehaul if you're actually looking for a career. Want to never get a pay raise and
be constantly told you can easily be replaced by any one of the crappy rate-cutting companies that treat their drivers like otr drivers, then haul fuel.

 

If it's one of the private fuel haulers, then it can be good. Line haul can be good if you get the right bid. Line haul is less work all your doing is going terminal to terminal. Then dropping and hooking. But there are some carriers where you have to unhook your set. Then unload and reload them to go back to your terminal. Fuel is anywhere from 2-5 stops a shift. And can be a bit more physical with the hoses. But both are a decent career. The only thing is, to me fuel use to pay great but some not all of the companies don't pay well. Some use to pay by the hr. But then changed to by the load pay. Over all you should make 58k-75k depending on the area. And it could be more if it's with the right company

 

The private carriers, imo, seem to be going the way of the majors years ago. Hardly any money even in the private carriers anymore and every contract negotiation we are reminded that there are 100 scab companies willing to do what we do that pay their drivers $15 an hour. Load beside these guys at the rack and they are real

 

Id lose my mind doing night time LH. Day time i could prob do it. Just something about staring into the black abyss for hours on end my concentration and awareness starts to go. I work mostly nights in the oilfield but im on 2 lane curvy ohio back roads that keep me well awake. Running the interstate takes all the fun away from trucking for me