Hi guys would really like to hear everyones opinion on the pros and cons of 8 wheeler tipper driving? iv been driving a 6 wheeler oil tanker for the past 2 years, delivering to houses, factories, quarries, petrol stations , kero, derv, petrol etc… kinda fed up with it due to a number of things. Mainly to do with the fact im driving a 14 year old lorry that breaks down every 1-2 weeks. When you have to tip the cab every week I think its time to move on, let the boss drive it for a change lol 
…Of course I could end up driving a tipper just as bad, but would really appreciate everyones tips and insight into 8 wheeler tipper work. Would probably be drawing aggregates. A few questions, probably silly questions to some, but tippers would be completely new to me…so…do reasonably aged tippers (5-10 years old) give much bother? I mean are they proned to a trip to the mechanic every 2 weeks?lol…can they get stuck easily on muck/loose stone etc? Whats their turning circle like, much more difference than a double drive tanker? Is there decent money to be made? And is it an enjoyable job? Thanks everyone in advance. All input is welcome…would love to hear from the experienced fellas. Thanks fellas
marko91:
Hi guys would really like to hear everyones opinion on the pros and cons of 8 wheeler tipper driving? iv been driving a 6 wheeler oil tanker for the past 2 years, delivering to houses, factories, quarries, petrol stations , kero, derv, petrol etc… kinda fed up with it due to a number of things. Mainly to do with the fact im driving a 14 year old lorry that breaks down every 1-2 weeks. When you have to tip the cab every week I think its time to move on, let the boss drive it for a change lol
Downside is having the operation to get the brain removed,think it’s called a lobotomy?,you will notice all 8 wheeler tipper drivers have had it,would be nice to talk to one about it but they are always in a rush,too busy to chat,been cut up by loads of them,driving gods they are,enjoy your new job.
Well I did ask for all kinds of feedback lol… I have noticed some have a heavy right foot. Met a mixer driver the other day… and you would have swore he was trying to break the land speed record. lol but all feedbacks welcome
Experienced on tanks?, i’d suggest bettering yourself by moving to a better job but staying on the tanks or on similar specialist work.
Put your thinking helmet on and work out where you could go, you’re already half way there with your present experience, presumably you don’t have an artic ticket?, well it might be a prudent investment to get it and move upwards.
Most tanker firms run leased tackle renewed every 5 years or thereabouts, OK half the time they’re underpowered and underspecced tat (ask me how i know this 
) but the shortish hours and the good pay in the bank every month makes up for any lorry shorfall.
Ask about pay scheme. Anything to do with bonuses etc etc and it will explain why you won`t see too many tipper drivers in the cafes lingering over a cuppa, ready to chat with a newcomer. Some mixer drivers are owner-drivers, time is money.
You will soon notice that an eight legger handles a lot better than a six, much more stable on corners for a start and it wont try to go straight on in wet conditions when you really want to turn left or right like a double drive six will! Depending on suspension etc the chances are that you will get stuck at some time, the second steeering axle causes problems as that can get bogged or drop into a hole and that is when traction is lost due to the drag from pushing a ‘dead’ axle through ■■■■! Also rubber rear suspension tends to lose traction as it doesn’t flex enough to keep all the wheels on the ground. Age of motor is immaterial if it is well maintained, we had some 15+ years old and they gave no problems. Take no notice of those who say that you need to teararse about, they are ‘busy fools’ and probably doing at least one load a day for little or no money, it isn’t what the truck earns but what the operator gets to keep that is important in day to day runing costs and gulping diesel for crap rated work is daft. I had 20+ years on the job and enjoyed it all, but I had three good gaffers that didn’t expect me to do anything that they wouldnt.
Pete.
windrush:
You will soon notice that an eight legger handles a lot better than a six, much more stable on corners for a start and it wont try to go straight on in wet conditions when you really want to turn left or right like a double drive six will! Depending on suspension etc the chances are that you will get stuck at some time, the second steeering axle causes problems as that can get bogged or drop into a hole and that is when traction is lost due to the drag from pushing a ‘dead’ axle through [zb]! Also rubber rear suspension tends to lose traction as it doesn’t flex enough to keep all the wheels on the ground. Age of motor is immaterial if it is well maintained, we had some 15+ years old and they gave no problems. Take no notice of those who say that you need to teararse about, they are ‘busy fools’ and probably doing at least one load a day for little or no money, it isn’t what the truck earns but what the operator gets to keep that is important in day to day runing costs and gulping diesel for crap rated work is daft. I had 20+ years on the job and enjoyed it all, but I had three good gaffers that didn’t expect me to do anything that they wouldnt.Pete.
Thanks Pete… that info is really helpful. Helpful to understand how they drive and handle since iv never even sat in one.
Franglais:
Ask about pay scheme. Anything to do with bonuses etc etc and it will explain why you won`t see too many tipper drivers in the cafes lingering over a cuppa, ready to chat with a newcomer. Some mixer drivers are owner-drivers, time is money.
Thanks man…I understand some are payed by the load? suppose if the wheels aint turnin…ye aint earnin lol
Muckaway will be along to tell you all you need to know about double-drives,franchises,and being paid by the load. It’s not a job I’d do out of choice. A) because I don’t like tear-arseing,and B) as with most jobs there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.
On the plus side, with the invention of electric tail-gates and electric sheets, have you ever seen a slim tipper driver
I have done some tipper work and liked it.It was mainly road repair and quarry work.I saw drivers flying around then being stopped for very long breaks.Tell us more about your potential new job to get detailed advice.
When I was driving tippers never appealed as it seemed like a proper mucky job and therefore, either a dirty mucky lorry interior or a hard time keeping it from filling up with mud. All tipper drivers seemed to wear those “oil worker” boots caked in mud and I put 2 and 2 together
Your always going to get the same old rhetoric of how tipper drivers fly about,are a menace to other road users and are chasing load bonus’s but my experience in this game is some what different.
Paid by the hour and the only bonus i get is for fuel efficiency so it’s in my best interests to go steady.The company i work for changes it vehicles every 2 year so all the tackle is reliable as it’s going to be.The job itself is pretty much straightforward.Not sure about other parts of the country but the hourly rate is above average for around here and we get proper overtime rates,as in time and half after 40 hours and double time on weekends if needed.
Don’t be shy and give it a try.
Would tipper work end tomorrow if there was another economic crash…?
As for tanker work…
Someone somewhere will always need fuel, oil etc…
Goldfinger:
Would tipper work end tomorrow if there was another economic crash…?As for tanker work…
Someone somewhere will always need fuel, oil etc…
That’s a good point! Might try tippers…but il still be in good terms with the boss of the tankers so if I ever wanted to go back he would probably be happy to take me back…I think:/lol other oil companies would maby take me on in the busy period if I wanted back into the tankers
BeakFreak81:
Your always going to get the same old rhetoric of how tipper drivers fly about,are a menace to other road users and are chasing load bonus’s but my experience in this game is some what different.Paid by the hour and the only bonus i get is for fuel efficiency so it’s in my best interests to go steady.The company i work for changes it vehicles every 2 year so all the tackle is reliable as it’s going to be.The job itself is pretty much straightforward.Not sure about other parts of the country but the hourly rate is above average for around here and we get proper overtime rates,as in time and half after 40 hours and double time on weekends if needed.
Don’t be shy and give it a try.
I like that lol don’t be shy…give it a try
Not having a go at you mate, but what’s it to you if the thing keeps breaking down. As long as you don’t have to pay for it just make the phone call. I’ve never driven a tipper but take a tanker job any day if I had the tickets needed. I’ve never cared what sort of motor I’ve driven as long as it’s road worthy and reasonably tidy. I started work for a timber firm with a crane truck and thein the first week I had the boss getting new front linings and drums, the second week it was rear brakes. It did break down on a fairly regular basis, but I don’t care if it won’t go, as long as it stops. 
Not just relying on quarries these days, around here we have more wash plants producing recycled aggregate than a primary plant (gravel pit). This may explain why some firms seem slower than they used to be, one where I tip their drivers (even the Pole plod along steadily and even wave as you pass (increasing rarity).
I work for a small independent which is far more interesting than a big firm, who buys and sells aggregate and soil so we aren’t governed by quarry rates and muck shifters’ day hire rates. This is where the rushing comes from, when tips charge £110/load (for any size tipper except an artic) and firms do the job for silly money like £150/load, you can see where the busy fools play.
I take a look at the muck and tip where appropriate, good dry soil to our yard, ■■■■■■■■ to either a recycling yard or a grateful farmer (free tips), stony soil to a wash plant (who do give you the odd free tip if you take multiple loads there of decent muck) or a local independent tip owner who undercuts the big boys and only let’s independents tip there.
Tippers same as any job good and bad firms everywhere. On 8 wheelers hours tend to be fairly sensible 6am 5pm sort of thing so you can fit a life in too.
Some quarry’s can be slow for loading but the day tends to pass fairly quick.
I know I’d rather drive tippers than put up with rdc waiting rooms or sitting for hours in the docks or while someone gains bails a 40 foot container of shoe boxes
Its all work, whatever you do.
If you don’t like the fuel business, and fed up dragging the hoses through dog droppings infested back gardens etc. Sub standard trucks etc.
Have a look in the other options (assuming you don’t have a class one)
What a milk tankers (farm collections)?
Or animal feed in bulkers, these kind of jobs will always be there, even if the building industry get quiete.
Wouldn’t fancy quarry work, but others do, so choice of plenty.
Thanks for the feedback fellas…suppose its like any job, some like it, some don’t! But sometimes you have to try these things and see what you think yourself! to cut a long story shot I probably will ask a few tipper firms! If I don’t like it well I can always go back to the oil tankers in winter! really appreciate all your views!