The journey begins - purchased a truck.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by blairandgretchen, Dec 10, 2014.

  1. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Guess I’ll stick with a reefer then :(
     
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  3. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Oklahoma City, OK
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    I told you and you didn’t laugh.
    My totals for March. $0000
    I know later this year will be very good and next year is to be even better.
    I worked in January and made good then took off till spring, had cataract surgery (worked great, no glasses) they the virus hit so just staying home till it passes.

    My big project for this year was to start in June.
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2020
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  4. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Mmmmmm hmmmmmm. You know you want the little fake gold circle pins for your name tag.
     
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  5. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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    Time for a new set of shoes, well, time for a deduction.

    8 Michelin X line energy D in 24.5 LP
    2 “. X line energy Z. “ “

    $5k - saved $1k with LCAPP discount. Paid out of maintenance escrow account with LS. I started putting in 3% a while back just for tires.

    $75 each on the 10 used settled the labor, balancing all 10, and valve stems.

    Finally sprang for some quick connect flags - but needed a flat surface to mount on, so had to go to the chrome shop and buy a 20” box end front bumper. $750 including the lights.

    Finished with the current work project - have to see what develops.
     
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  6. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    Nov 29, 2011
    West Virginia
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    These the same tires you been using?
     
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  7. Ringo1

    Ringo1 Light Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2014
    South Carolina
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    Nice! I remember you had Bridgestone 710's all around. You should like the Michelin drivers!
     
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  8. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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    I used the BS 710's on the T2000 for price reason at the time - and again with the 95 Pete 379 due to unavailability at the time. This time around the Michelin was available for the drives so I went with that.

    What I noticed about the 710's was that when they were about half worn, when light or empty - hydroplaning became an issue. I had 2 instances of them losing traction that scared the cash out of my pockets to spring for a new set. Didn't happen very often, but just once is enough to ruin your year. I've always run the Michelin XZA3+ on steers - these are now called X-line energy Z.

    Due to the lack of "Give a darn" by tire employees - I returned to have them re-balance the steers, due to a light shimmy in the steering wheel. This now has me doubting they balanced the drives correctly - after all , when you pay for a service, why would you expect the job to be done correctly. Had they let me stand by and watch, there probably wouldn't have been an issue, but the young punk wanted to pull the "No customers on the floor" authority feel good trick, so he got to endure the boss doing the job again right before closing time.

    One of the first expenses I quantified before even buying a truck was tires. I priced a set, estimated miles for wear, and came up with a cents per mile figure. After a couple of years I elected to have LS escrow 3% of lineal for this expense alone - though it's not possible to accurately match % of revenue to tire wear, it's ensured there's more than enough to buy tires when needed.

    I've always maintained that by buying virgin rubber, and changing out well in advance of minimum tire wear, checking inflation regularly - that you should have minimal blowouts and tire issues. So far I've been correct.

    Off to play around with a bumper, I guess.
     
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  9. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    You're not a believer in the centramatics?
     
  10. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    12,001
    60,367
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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    All positions - trailer included.
     
  11. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    12,001
    60,367
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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    Another ‘put it together’ chrome shop job.

    19CD4BCB-5FF0-47BC-841A-2CF1EFD4456D.jpeg

    Break out the wiring tools . .

    A1501766-831D-4A57-8879-6F1A55E56EDA.jpeg

    Might look good - after a return trip to the “We just sell parts” Mafia.

    9D569B6E-9B67-4775-AAD4-022B8C4F9F9E.jpeg

    Some poor quality control . . .

    D369BF11-4252-4DFC-AA3A-F491AEC2E8A6.jpeg



    Seems they forgot to suggest bottom brackets - and the license plate flip won’t work in a million engineers years.

    I’ve come to despise that place. Customer service is miles away from the real world of what and whom they cater to.
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2020
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