Hey guys, been a while since I stopped in. Most of you probably already know/recognize me from TT. I was supposed to be helping Davy on here this whole time and I’ve been so busy with work I have been slackin (sorry Davy!).
Anyways it’s been a while since I really said anything about what I’ve been doing. I ended up getting into hauling fuel and it’s been a ride. So far in my career I’ve done dry van, reefer, flatbed, pneumatic tanker, and now fuel, and out of all those I think so far fuel has been the most enjoyable and rewarding but it also has its challenges. I think the most sobering thing I’ve come to realize about this segment of the industry is how dangerous it can be. Pulling one of these trailers doesn’t feel any different to me than anything else I’ve hauled but it’s shocking how many people I’ve already seen die doing this. We lost three drivers in the Denver area that I know of in just the last 6 months. I didn’t know any of them but all three were friends of friends and one of them even worked at one point for the small company I work for. Two of the accidents were rollovers, the most recent of which the trailer caught fire and burned for several hours. There really isn’t much more I have to say about the accidents but it’s a sobering reminder to make sure I’m doing what I can to be safe.
Other than the danger, the job is super fun. I go to different locations all the time and I really enjoy the puzzle aspect of figuring out the best way in and out of these locations. I also get to do a good mashup of local vs regional deliveries so I never really get bored. I get to load and unload myself and there is enough of a physical aspect to the job that I’m not super fat YET
There’s too much to talk about in just one post so I’ll just leave you guys with a couple cool pics but feel free to ask away if you have any questions.
I’ve been hauling fuel for almost 4.5 years now. I got myself into a pretty sweet gig right now. I was working for a small company with only a handful of drivers but now I’m the only one where I’m at now. I’m not in a big truck anymore but I’m ok with that since the places I have to go would be tough to get one in to and back out of. I’ve got a brand new 2026 Pete with a 3800 gallon tank on the back. I deliver to the same places everyday but it’s 32 different locations so I have my hands full being the only driver. I get to pick where and when I go, I make my own hours and I’ve only been working 4 days a week making the highest hourly wage I’ve ever made in my life. After almost 20 years of driving a truck, I think I found a place I can retire from now. It’s definitely dangerous and my coworkers have no clue just how dangerous it can be so even though most of the time I’m the only one around when I’m making a delivery, I still have to keep an eye on the vent lines and somebody smoking a damn cigarette. It’s not just delivering fuel either. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve been working on pumps, fixing leaks and messing with the sumps and the probes in the tanks plus I’m learning the veeder root systems and have been taking them apart and replacing pieces inside. I also have to take fuel samples and do site inspections too so it’s a little bit of everything but I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
Good to hear from you both. Thanks for the pics. I get the benefit of talking to Pianoman fairly regularly. Definitely a dangerous line of work, interesting too though. Beautiful trucks.
Beautiful truck. Glad to hear your doing well. I still hang around, still driving my old Pete. Oct 1 last year I retired for the second time. I transfered my truck to intrastate and 2 customers keep me busy 2-3 days a week. Gets me out of the house. Stay safe!!!
PJ your truck still looks great! That’s a tribute to the way you take care of your equipment and how you handle your business. Having met you in person I can attest to your commitment to perfection and dedication in your business life and I’m sure that it carries over to everything you do. It’s an honor to know you sir.
