[coldLBZ]

I apologize if this is similar to a Hot Shot thread, but I have a few questions. I may have an opportunity to do field operating in the future. I am wondering how many of you do this for a living? The money is good, as I have done this before, but with somebody elses truck. I am a little concerned as I will have to use my own truck and work as a contractor. I am curious about maintenance costs, fuel costs (300km/day), and how the truck will hold up to mud, starting stopping, turning on shutting off etc. How much is an operator with his own truck worth? Please leave out no dirty detail, and thank you in advance for your input.

 

[saskman]

Relax

Hey dude,
It is okay to be a contract operator in the patch.....I was doin it a while ago and found it great until the company was bought out and wanted to make me an employee as my pay was to be split in half by this...You will be running your own business and will have tax breaks coming out of your butt by contracting...don't buy a new truck either use a used one already depreciated as you will not have to absrb the depreciation on the truck.
I also use to go 500 km a day and no big problems with a 6.5 turbo
I am currently using a 2005 dura for Chemical sales with 4-500 km per day and it is awesome.
good luck dude if you need any help operating let me know.
Brad

 

[rolloffhill]

Not real familiar with the oil patch, but I work for a transportation pipeline. They require 2 million coverage on vehicles. You may want to check into how much they require and get a quote, Insurance is NOT cheap.

 

[DangerousDuramax]

Not real familiar with the oil patch, but I work for a transportation pipeline. They require 2 million coverage on vehicles. You may want to check into how much they require and get a quote, Insurance is NOT cheap.

:exactly: Typically those who run hotshot in the Oilfield have been in and around the business and know whats expected. Insurance is very high because of the cost of the equipment you will be hauling and you also have to be accustomed to being called at all hours of the day and night and mobilize on a moments notice without warning. 9 out of 10 times when you get the call, they are already waiting on location for you to show up with the equipment before they can do anymore well service so your expected to get it there YESTERDAY. At $400/hr for a downed rig they tend to want you to haul ***. A lot of times you will also be required to stay on location for days at a time. Be prepared to have about $5K in credit out there every month for fuel and associated costs. Also, make sure you find a CPA that knows the business. They will REALLY be able to help you make out good at the end of the year is they know the in's-and-out's of the business.

 

[coldLBZ]

Thanks for the info, keep it coming.

 

[akdiesel]

Be carefull when traveling the main roads with your company truck that has your logo on it. It is just like having a sign on it that says "Sue Me".
If you are going to do work for one of the big oil companies than I would assume that the fuel/torn up equipment will be covered under the contract that you sign with them.

 

[SpoolinTurbo]

akdiesel: Hey you slope monkey! how's life. You needa look me up sometime now that we're within spittin distance of each other. I'm out on KGB.

Coldlbz: Don't know much bout the oil field hotshot stuff, but if it means anything, the security company that covers the trans-alaska pipeline uses Chevrolet Duramax Diesel crewcabs religiously for their patrol rigs on the haul road... guess there might be a reason for it