Where is everyone #5

@PoleCrusher what ended up being the issue with that DEF system?

Sorry if you mentioned it and I missed it.

 

no damage to the Pete. Unhooking it was the first thing I did. Before grabbing the extinguisher and before calling 911

 

No I didn’t see a cigarette but judging from the rush to that conclusion by two troopers and the fire chief, I gather it happens fairly often. We had a similar incident 20 years ago but the driver was a smoker so I always figured it was his cigarette. I don’t smoke

 

Troopers said That same night there was another tow operator a few miles away working on a Prime van loaded with apples that rolled over. He said the tow company billed $120,000 and they wrecked the trailer trying to upright it with airbags. I wonder how many small fleets are well capitalized enough to foot the bill to get their equipment out of impound? This doesn’t get talked about much in all the “how to be a O/O” threads

Lesson 1: have a big line of credit.
Lesson 2: If you can drive your truck away do it. Once it’s on the tow operators lot he owns it. Troopers told me to bobtail away but I stayed to move the trailer. I succeded in avoiding the heavy wrecker charge but I should’ve dropped the trailer and stayed the night off property. In the end I would’ve paid the bill anyway but I don’t like to be held hostage either.
Lesson 3: structure your business as a Corp or LLC or whatever so long as your assets are out of reach.

 

Kind of what I thought. I’m like ####, I was just minding my own business. How much if caused a wreck?

 

I have a hard time believing they charged that much. Not doubting you. Doubting the trooper.

 

After this I’ll believe anything

 

We can ask @D.Tibbitt what his cost.

 

That is robbery. Glad you and the Pete are ok. Hate hearing those storys.

I have cleaned up my share of burnt hay/straw loads. Never seen one cost that much.

With that said. Most never had insurance coverage and the farmer walked away not paying us. Salvage had no value. 3 out of 5 we got stuck cleaning it up for free.

But never held equipment besides damaged unit. Unless requested.

 

Today is move in day at UW River Falls. Mama ain’t going to do very well with this.