Well, I would say that trucking IS in my blood. My grandfather was a trucker, and I learned a lot from riding along with him as I was growing up. Granted, this was over 20 years ago, but I was bitten by the bug. I almost followed in his footsteps right after high school...but a twist of fate turned me down a different path.

If you follow your passions and do what you love in life, you won't work a day in your life.

I did follow another passion, and for me, the above statement is true. I fully understand that trucking isn't just a profession - it is a way of life. If you look at what you do for a living as a job - simply as 'work' - you're in the wrong line of business. On the other hand, if you bust your ### day in day out, take the good with the bad, make enough money to support your family and put a little away in the bank...and above all else, you're HAPPY doing it...then you've found your passion.

I have been blessed enough to find and pursue several passions in my life, and trucking is one of those that I haven't tackled yet...but I'm slowly working on it.

The bottom line is if I listened to all the folks who told me no, I'd still be at my high school job as a cashier at the local A&P. Maybe if I was lucky, I'd be a bookkeeper there, or maybe even assistant store manager. If that happened to be my passion, there would be nothing wrong with that. It isn't, so I moved on.

Whenever somebody tells me no, I find another person who will say yes. Don't get me wrong...I don't dismiss the naysayers criticism and comments - being a relative outsider, they still know more than I do. I take what they say and filter it to see if what they saying is true and factual, and if it is, what actions do I have to take to avoid what it is they're telling me?

What I DO disregard is the blanket statements such as 'You can't do it' or 'that will never work' that are not backed up with any facts, and are made simply because the individual is bitter, filled with vitriol, burned out, etc. We all know people like this...are they a pleasure to be around?

As far as the 'part time' end of the deal...well, perhaps I stated that incorrectly. I have another friend who is doing the exact same thing I have in mind, and he also has another profession besides trucking. He spends most of his 'down time' either working on the truck or driving it. I understand you get out of it what you put into it, but there are a lot of different niches in the industry, and I am finding out which ones would best suit my particular situation. I never stated that I wanted to do OTR trucking exclusively, and in fact, regional driving is much more suited to what I want to do and what time I have available. Considering the lanes and other factors in my area, most of the year running inside of 500 miles from where the truck will be based will keep me profitable. A few times a year, mostly in the spring, going outside that range will turn a better profit.

Anyway, I have always been a go-getter, always loved a good challenger, and I have always pursued my passions and done the required research to learn as much as I can and avoid the pitfalls that have happened to those who have gone before me. I almost never say 'always', but the previous sentence pretty much says exactly who I am and what I'm about.

wow i love everything you share and agree with your thoughts 100 percent! cant wait till you start a blog about your journey cause alot of people will get inspiration from it. I am in the midst of starting a blog myself once i find the right truck hehe..
There are plenty to choose from in this market, freight wont stay down forever cause there are to many entrepeneurs out there that will start a business eventually and will need their product moved... I hope anyways!

2nd. In one of the other forums, you have people talking about doing documentaries.

Mr Wings2Wheels, YOU should do a documentary. You are not some parasite trying to make a buck off of someone else's blood and sweat. Get you one of those little digital videocams and go to work. I greatly appreciate your posts.

Thank YOU very much for your kind words sir!

I try to do my part, and that includes continued service to our country as a part-time Air National Guardsman. My wife and I are also trying to raise two young boys to become men and productive members of society, NOT some leaches who think that they are entitled to something other than the chance to make something of themselves through their own blood, sweat, and tears. Too many have lost sight of the fact that we are not owed ANYTHING in this country. We have the RIGHT to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...but we do NOT have the RIGHT to equal results of the previously stated liberties.

Geez...ME making a documentary? Dirty Harry once said, "A man's GOT to know his limitations..." Doing a documentary is definitely beyond mine!

However, I have been told that I have a certain knack for the written word; so perhaps I will start a 'blog' as I continue on my journey.

Only time will tell. Milemover, I also wish you very very best in your endeavors. Keep us up to date with how things are going for you!

I would be interested to know a bit more about the tractor you have. Could you please give us a rundown on the specs of your 1984 Kenworth K100 Aerodyne and why you went for this particular tractor. Other points would be, what type of trailer you will end up pulling and the mpg you hope to achieve.

1984 Kenworth K100C Aerodyne
Driveline with 430,000 original miles
Motor is Cummins reman with 28,000 miles
Cummins BC IV 400hp - CPL 676
Eaton-Fuller 13 Speed Transmission
3.73 rears
8-bag air ride
Air ride cab
24.5" tall rubber
If you're interested in anything else, just ask.

Loaded, can count on 5.5 mpg all day, everyday. Possibly can squeeze a bit more out of it with careful driving and/or lighter loads, but 5.5 is a solid number.

Trailer will be a Utility or Great Dane 53' reefer.

Why a 25 year old tractor? I bought it from a good friend who I trust. I knew what I was getting. I didn't want an anteater; I love the 'old school' trucks. I've always had a passion for COE Kenworths, so that had a lot to do with it. The bottom line is I would rather have a 25 year old truck that is a known quantity, that I know how to work on, than something much newer, with computerized everything and lots of emissions controls and blah blah blah. Will I have to work a little harder than the guy getting a few more mpg out of his rig? Sure. That will be factored in to my direct operating costs. I'm still talking to operators of older rigs and seeing how much they set aside for maintenance (it amazes me how many people don't figure a number (or numbers) at all).

Any more questions, just ask.

I'm doing good to get 4.5 with the exact same drivetrain

__________________
Never Underestimate the power of the Schwartz!

Thats whats hard to find (the niche)

Thanks for the update! I don't have enough posts to send you a PM (but I'm a regular in the Politics section, so I'll have 50 posts pretty soon), and thought resurrecting your old thread would get your attention.

Have you posted pictures of your K100?

Keep up the good work!

What about the motor? Is it a BC IV? What CPL?

Full-time engine fan, or one with a clutch?

Dual fuel rails?

Have you ever replaced the fuel supply lines from the tank to the pump (i.e., are they original?)

There's a ton of small differences that can certainly get you + or - 1.0 mpg from my rig.