New guy... maybe

Dec 20, 2022 at 10:36 PM CST + 7 - 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Whats up drivers! My name is emrah I go by EJ. I am and always have been very interested in pulling a hopper trailer, I only have alot of VAN little reefer and flatbed experience. Yes I understand all the markets suck at the moment and I understand we go through this alot as truck drivers. I have alot of questions if anyone is willing to share some experience and advice with me. I run 2 truck's me and my dad since 2014 and Hes been driving since the early 2000'. I am really sick of the boxes and doors, I just need a change in trucking and I am exploring all of my options not just hopper. I recently sold my truck and plan on buying another one if I can decide what market to commit to. So please share as much as you are willing to help me make my decision easier. I dont have the first clue as to what you load into hopper besides grain LOL. WHat can I haul and what cant or shouldnt I haul? I dont really stay out to much week tops if its good. I have a family I am very proud of and love all the home time I get with my children. What can I haul and what are the rates I should realistically look for. What kind of hopper should I look into buying/renting. Should I lease onto someone to get started and get the experience ? I drove a hood truck and plan on getting one again with stacks etc(what can I say I like em long and tall). I do know there are certain places you cannot have tall stacks for is why I stated that. I am very new to this side of trucking, I am very open and understanding to all of the information I get no matter how you say it. I look forward to hearing from some of you drivers out there keep the shiny side up!

Replied on Wed, Dec 21, 2022 at 12:51 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I'm not going to say much, but please understand that hauling a hopper is nothing compared to a van. You will not just drive. Be prepared for time demands you're not used to in the van world. That's just my two cents. I'm just the wife of a veteran driver, and the co-owner of a business. If he were on this site, he would give you the complete low-down, and tell you to not expect things to work the way they did in the van world.

Replied on Wed, Dec 21, 2022 at 12:51 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I'm not going to say much, but please understand that hauling a hopper is nothing compared to a van. You will not just drive. Be prepared for time demands you're not used to in the van world. That's just my two cents. I'm just the wife of a veteran driver, and the co-owner of a business. If he were on this site, he would give you the complete low-down, and tell you to not expect things to work the way they did in the van world.

Replied on Wed, Dec 21, 2022 at 12:52 PM CST + 2 - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Hopper market can be hard work depending on what you choose to haul....also you will always be chasing the clock, because 75% of companies run banker hours or worse. It is important to invest in good vibrators, and everyone has different preferences. Most standard vibrators on hoppers are hit & miss and won't get low-pro ddg or something else off (wet chicken meal, humid pellets, etc). If you're gonna run stacks over 12'3", then I would ALWAYS mention it to the shipper. It is also very common for companies to have short scales, so if you plan on buying anything longer than a 43' tandem it doesn't hurt to bring that up as well. Most companies will just split weigh you and go on with their day, but a few will put you through the ringer & come up with a company policy for you to never unload there again. Products to stay away from.....ALL low-pro ddg in the summer-time; if you don't have a high-sided hopper then i'd avoid must hulls, unless it comes with a flat rate; hominy; soy hull pellets in the wintertime; fine gypsum; and some more that I'm sure people will bring up. I would say there are more locations to avoid than individual products, because no 2 products are ever the same. I hope this helps, and best of luck to you sir!

Replied on Wed, Dec 21, 2022 at 12:52 PM CST

+ 2 - 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Hopper market can be hard work depending on what you choose to haul....also you will always be chasing the clock, because 75% of companies run banker hours or worse. It is important to invest in good vibrators, and everyone has different preferences. Most standard vibrators on hoppers are hit & miss and won't get low-pro ddg or something else off (wet chicken meal, humid pellets, etc). If you're gonna run stacks over 12'3", then I would ALWAYS mention it to the shipper. It is also very common for companies to have short scales, so if you plan on buying anything longer than a 43' tandem it doesn't hurt to bring that up as well. Most companies will just split weigh you and go on with their day, but a few will put you through the ringer & come up with a company policy for you to never unload there again.

Products to stay away from.....ALL low-pro ddg in the summer-time; if you don't have a high-sided hopper then i'd avoid must hulls, unless it comes with a flat rate; hominy; soy hull pellets in the wintertime; fine gypsum; and some more that I'm sure people will bring up. I would say there are more locations to avoid than individual products, because no 2 products are ever the same.

I hope this helps, and best of luck to you sir!

Replied on Fri, Dec 23, 2022 at 03:31 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. You are part of the new trend, i.e guys without an ag background parking the van trailer in hopes of pulling a hopper for a better freight market. Most hopper rates are not that great unless it's planting/harvest time, a hard product to unload, or the lane requires overnight or multiple nights away from home. When deciding what trailer to pull, ask yourself what advantages you might have with that trailer. Do you have a farm to put that hopper to work on when hopper rates are in the crapper? If you're answer is no than I would think about buying something else. Your profile says you are located in Missouri. It looks to me that there are lots of aggregate loads requiring dump trailers out of Missouri.... just something to think about. I believe you mentioned getting a truck with stacks... Stacks and a square bodied truck won't make you any more money than an aero truck... In fact it will probably eat up some of your paycheck. Being profitable in the bulk business is all about being properly specced for weight. Admittedly I personally have experience running a set-up that isn't properly specced and it hurts with every load.... These are things to think about before you jump into another line of work. Best of luck

Replied on Fri, Dec 23, 2022 at 03:31 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

You are part of the new trend, i.e guys without an ag background parking the van trailer in hopes of pulling a hopper for a better freight market. Most hopper rates are not that great unless it's planting/harvest time, a hard product to unload, or the lane requires overnight or multiple nights away from home.

When deciding what trailer to pull, ask yourself what advantages you might have with that trailer. Do you have a farm to put that hopper to work on when hopper rates are in the crapper? If you're answer is no than I would think about buying something else. Your profile says you are located in Missouri. It looks to me that there are lots of aggregate loads requiring dump trailers out of Missouri.... just something to think about.

I believe you mentioned getting a truck with stacks... Stacks and a square bodied truck won't make you any more money than an aero truck... In fact it will probably eat up some of your paycheck. Being profitable in the bulk business is all about being properly specced for weight. Admittedly I personally have experience running a set-up that isn't properly specced and it hurts with every load.... These are things to think about before you jump into another line of work. Best of luck

Replied on Fri, Dec 23, 2022 at 09:16 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Thank you all so far for the honest advice. I am doing all the research I can to make the best decision.

Replied on Fri, Dec 23, 2022 at 09:17 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Hey EJ...welcome to the board. I like your attitude and willingness to learn. We started out in 2008 with me driving 1 truck, and have slowly grown over the years. Have 7 trucks now and don't look to expand anymore. We have never owned a hopper, and probably never will. We pull end dumps, just because where I'm from I can connect the dots easier. Just too many empty miles in my opinion with hoppers, don't limit yourself to what or where you can haul by buying a hopper. Not swinging hammers or running vibrators is just another perk lol Good luck

Replied on Fri, Dec 23, 2022 at 09:17 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Hey EJ...welcome to the board. I like your attitude and willingness to learn. We started out in 2008 with me driving 1 truck, and have slowly grown over the years. Have 7 trucks now and don't look to expand anymore. We have never owned a hopper, and probably never will. We pull end dumps, just because where I'm from I can connect the dots easier. Just too many empty miles in my opinion with hoppers, don't limit yourself to what or where you can haul by buying a hopper. Not swinging hammers or running vibrators is just another perk lol

Good luck

Replied on Sat, Dec 24, 2022 at 03:34 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Hey EJ...welcome to the board. I like your attitude and willingness to learn. We started out in 2008 with me driving 1 truck, and have slowly grown over the years. Have 7 trucks now and don't look to expand anymore. We have never owned a hopper, and probably never will. We pull end dumps, just because where I'm from I can connect the dots easier. Just too many empty miles in my opinion with hoppers, don't limit yourself to what or where you can haul by buying a hopper. Not swinging hammers or running vibrators is just another perk lol Good luck" The only down side is you just might lay it over, or hit a power line..

Replied on Sat, Dec 24, 2022 at 03:34 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Hey EJ...welcome to the board. I like your attitude and willingness to learn. We started out in 2008 with me driving 1 truck, and have slowly grown over the years. Have 7 trucks now and don't look to expand anymore. We have never owned a hopper, and probably never will. We pull end dumps, just because where I'm from I can connect the dots easier. Just too many empty miles in my opinion with hoppers, don't limit yourself to what or where you can haul by buying a hopper. Not swinging hammers or running vibrators is just another perk lol Good luck"

The only down side is you just might lay it over, or hit a power line..

Replied on Sun, Dec 25, 2022 at 07:50 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I don't have much time ...or the thoughts to type a lengthy response here tonight, but if you want to email me, anyone can feel free to do so at:. [email protected] From there, I will give you a woman's perspective on pulling a grain hopper, first leased on to a local company and now with my own DOT number and permits and such. Y'all have a Merry Christmas!!! P.S. - And you don't have to want my opinion on grain hoppers ... You are welcome to hop into my email inbox just to say howdy. It might take me a day or two to respond this week, but I will respond... Blessings W.French

Replied on Sun, Dec 25, 2022 at 07:50 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I don't have much time ...or the thoughts to type a lengthy response here tonight, but if you want to email me, anyone can feel free to do so at:. [email protected] From there, I will give you a woman's perspective on pulling a grain hopper, first leased on to a local company and now with my own DOT number and permits and such. Y'all have a Merry Christmas!!! P.S. - And you don't have to want my opinion on grain hoppers ... You are welcome to hop into my email inbox just to say howdy. It might take me a day or two to respond this week, but I will respond... Blessings W.French

Replied on Mon, Dec 26, 2022 at 01:22 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "The only down side is you just might lay it over, or hit a power line.." Yep, could turn one over. Since 2008 we've turned over 2, have 6 trucks dumping 2-4 loads daily. Hit a power line? I guess thats theoretically possilbe, if I can't trust a guy to not hit a power line, then Im not trusting him to drive a truck though lol

Replied on Thu, Jan 05, 2023 at 10:53 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "You are part of the new trend, i.e guys without an ag background parking the van trailer in hopes of pulling a hopper for a better freight market. Most hopper rates are not that great unless it's planting/harvest time, a hard product to unload, or the lane requires overnight or multiple nights away from home. When deciding what trailer to pull, ask yourself what advantages you might have with that trailer. Do you have a farm to put that hopper to work on when hopper rates are in the crapper? If you're answer is no than I would think about buying something else. Your profile says you are located in Missouri. It looks to me that there are lots of aggregate loads requiring dump trailers out of Missouri.... just something to think about. I believe you mentioned getting a truck with stacks... Stacks and a square bodied truck won't make you any more money than an aero truck... In fact it will probably eat up some of your paycheck. Being profitable in the bulk business is all about being properly specced for weight. Admittedly I personally have experience running a set-up that isn't properly specced and it hurts with every load.... These are things to think about before you jump into another line of work. Best of luck " There's nothing wrong with this new trend, as you put it. I started out 20 years ago hauling logs and wood chips, switched to oilfield, back to logs and lumber, moved to pneumatic cement trains, gravel trains, back to flatbedding lumber, and now I own 2 trucks and my own hopper trailer because I moved to live in ag country and it's what's most available there for trucking. No, we're not going to get rich quick in this line of work, but so far, it's one I have enjoyed the most and is the least amount of physical work. So I, for one, welcome new faces behind the wheel!

Replied on Thu, Jan 05, 2023 at 10:53 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "You are part of the new trend, i.e guys without an ag background parking the van trailer in hopes of pulling a hopper for a better freight market. Most hopper rates are not that great unless it's planting/harvest time, a hard product to unload, or the lane requires overnight or multiple nights away from home. When deciding what trailer to pull, ask yourself what advantages you might have with that trailer. Do you have a farm to put that hopper to work on when hopper rates are in the crapper? If you're answer is no than I would think about buying something else. Your profile says you are located in Missouri. It looks to me that there are lots of aggregate loads requiring dump trailers out of Missouri.... just something to think about. I believe you mentioned getting a truck with stacks... Stacks and a square bodied truck won't make you any more money than an aero truck... In fact it will probably eat up some of your paycheck. Being profitable in the bulk business is all about being properly specced for weight. Admittedly I personally have experience running a set-up that isn't properly specced and it hurts with every load.... These are things to think about before you jump into another line of work. Best of luck "

There's nothing wrong with this new trend, as you put it. I started out 20 years ago hauling logs and wood chips, switched to oilfield, back to logs and lumber, moved to pneumatic cement trains, gravel trains, back to flatbedding lumber, and now I own 2 trucks and my own hopper trailer because I moved to live in ag country and it's what's most available there for trucking. No, we're not going to get rich quick in this line of work, but so far, it's one I have enjoyed the most and is the least amount of physical work. So I, for one, welcome new faces behind the wheel!

Replied on Thu, Jan 05, 2023 at 02:35 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Yep, could turn one over. Since 2008 we've turned over 2, have 6 trucks dumping 2-4 loads daily. Hit a power line? I guess thats theoretically possilbe, if I can't trust a guy to not hit a power line, then Im not trusting him to drive a truck though lol" Hit a power line was a poor choice of words. A friend of mine was dumping about 15'-20' from the line in wet weather and the electricity jumped from the line to the trailer..

Replied on Thu, Jan 05, 2023 at 02:35 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Yep, could turn one over. Since 2008 we've turned over 2, have 6 trucks dumping 2-4 loads daily. Hit a power line? I guess thats theoretically possilbe, if I can't trust a guy to not hit a power line, then Im not trusting him to drive a truck though lol"

Hit a power line was a poor choice of words. A friend of mine was dumping about 15'-20' from the line in wet weather and the electricity jumped from the line to the trailer..

Replied on Thu, Jan 05, 2023 at 02:36 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Also remember if you dont buy a truck with a wet kit it will run you 7-9k And sum experience loading it also frame or frameless trailers always need flat area to dump End dumps required experience ,like mabe Staight dump truck or something I personally would never put an in experienced guy in an end dump been in dirt work and paving all my life saw many on there sides 99.9% DRIVER' S FAULT

Replied on Thu, Jan 05, 2023 at 02:36 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Also remember if you dont buy a truck with a wet kit it will run you 7-9k

And sum experience loading it also frame or frameless trailers always need flat area to dump

End dumps required experience ,like mabe Staight dump truck or something

I personally would never put an in experienced guy in an end dump been in dirt work and paving all my life saw many on there sides

99.9% DRIVER' S FAULT

New guy... maybe

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