Livestock Hauler

[raab]

Anyone got any info on this? Thinking of making a career change and just looking for as much info as I can get before jumping in. Looking for things like home time, pay, companies to start with, career advancement, effects on family, E-logs, etc... From everything Ive read/heard the first year is hard, but it gets better once you get that under your belt.

[NaturalBornKilla]

Call it "Bill6 Trucking". Our motto"We're spying on you".

I'd stay away from cattle, sheep are much nicer, and won't squeal on you. Safety first.

[cowmanbob]

If you can quickly unload a liner full of unweaned calves at night you'll have it made.

[wally338]

Livestock trucking is the last thing i would do. Expect too always wait around while your load is being sorted and you have a deadline at the other end that you will miss unless you speed. Shovelling manure gets old real quick, particularly in -20 weather. I could go on for hours lol.

[Norwest Alta]

Originally Posted by wally338

Livestock trucking is the last thing i would do. Expect too always wait around while your load is being sorted and you have a deadline at the other end that you will miss unless you speed. Shovelling manure gets old real quick, particularly in -20 weather. I could go on for hours lol.

My thoughts as well. Kind of laughter when I read this because I’ve never heard of anyone striving to be the pilot of a cattle liner but I suppose being a Walmart greeter isn’t for everyone.

[raab]

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

My thoughts as well. Kind of laughter when I read this because I’ve never heard of anyone striving to be the pilot of a cattle liner but I suppose being a Walmart greeter isn’t for everyone.

I just think it would be a good job for me. Lots of freedom, dont always have a boss looking over your shoulder or testing you, and I like driving.(Have been across Canada four times and the States once) On top of that you get a bit of exercise moving the livestock in/out of the truck, and get to meet lots of good people.

My biggest concern is how does it effect my family? Will I be able to pay the bills starting out? Eventually I'd like to get to O/O and run my own truck running cows, hay, and grain. But to start out I think its smarter to drive someone elses truck and learn the ropes.

Any comments you guys have on running livestock, or trucking in general, Im all ears. I have a pretty good job right now, so I want to make a informed decision before making the switch.

[MugEye]

Anyone now what some of their rates are ?

[4thredneck]

Worst job in the trucking industry. All I ever wanted to do growing up was haul cattle, when I finally got to do it I was thoroughly disappointed. I don't know if you've ever been in a liner but to be able to stand straight up you have to be about 5 feet tall, not comfortable stooped down to shovel it out. A lot of nighttime work involved as well as around the clock cheat on your log book work as well.

[3blade]

It's trucking. Home time?? Advancement?? It's a job that requires a class 1 and a high school education. I don't want to sound like I'm looking down at anyone, it'll pay the bills, but that's pretty much what you get out of it.

Have a couple guys in my family that made a living driving after retiring from other careers, they seemed to enjoy it, but their kids were grown and their wives were over 50.

[4thredneck]

Originally Posted by MugEye

Anyone now what some of their rates are ?

I've heard they are charging $200/hour for short haul, local work.

[MugEye]

I own my own small construction company. I think for you and your freedom owning your own trucks is key . What , when , where you haul is up to you . It can be rewarding . But when your starting off or when it’s slow you got to do what it takes to pay the bills . That means working around the clock , crap work , etc. And the stress oh the STRESS. Not knowing if the phone will ring . And sometimes it’s off the hook . You can’t please everyone