How Do I Become a Hopper Driver?

Jump to:

• What is a hopper trailer?
• What are the benefits of hopper bottom jobs?
• How do I become a hopper driver?

Are you interested in hauling hopper trailers? Driving with Prime may be the perfect way to get started. In 2024, we announced that hopper trailer transport, which is designed to carry a wide variety of agricultural products and other commodities, would be added to our trucking lineup. This addition was in response to customer requests for this service as we continue to evolve our transportation solutions. 

Keep reading to learn more about how hopper trailers work, the benefits of hopper bottom jobs and how you can get started. 

What Is a Hopper Trailer?

A “hopper type” vehicle is defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as being “capable of discharging its load through a bottom opening without tilting.” The FMCSA clarifies that belly dump trailers are considered “hopper type” vehicles, but rear dump trailers and roll-off containers do not meet the definition of a bottom discharging vehicle. The key to the hopper trailer is its quick unloading ability via the power of gravity. 

Outside of using gravity to discharge the load, Prime hopper trailers are equipped with vibration systems that help clear product from the trailer into the proper container.  While not exclusive, these trailers are generally used to haul various agricultural products, including corn, soybeans, grain meal mixes and bone meal. 

Now that we’ve had a chance to show you around this new type of trailer, let’s work through some of the biggest benefits of hopper bottom jobs and how you can become a hopper driver.

Three Benefits of Hopper Bottom Jobs

While each division has its potential benefits and drawbacks, hopper bottom jobs can be desirable to drivers for three key reasons:

1. More potential home time. Grain elevators typically don’t operate at night or on weekends, which could lead to more home time if you are local to the area. 
2. Additional hauling opportunities. Hopper trailers allow for faster unloads than other types of bulk transport, which can lead to opportunities for more jobs.
3. No special endorsements are required. You are not required to have a special endorsement added to your Class A CDL to haul hopper trailers. However, at Prime, we require all drivers to have their tanker endorsement.

Getting Started: How Do I Become a Hopper Driver?

If you are new to the trucking industry, gaining a Class A CDL is the first step to hauling loads. If you don’t have one, applying for the Prime Training Program is the best way to start your career in transportation. Our program allows you to earn your CDL for free. After earning your CDL, you begin earning weekly pay while you complete the second phase of training.

If you are currently a driver for Prime, contact your fleet manager to see if hopper trailer routes are available in your area. If you are leasing a truck from another division, you will need to contact our Success Leasing office for information on available options. 

Want to start hauling hopper trailers? Apply to become a Prime driver today to join this exciting new division in our transportation services lineup.