Mercer

Thank you gentlemen. I'll rig up some jigs and attempt to make beveled lumbers myself. I'll get the pads from Mercer.

The tarp shop in OH I mentioned is tarpstop.com

As for squre 4x4 dunnage, I too haven't had many loads requiring them during my 2 years pulling flatbed at Swift. Actually, I only had to use them once when I picked up rail road ties in Kelso, CA, right in the middle of Mojave desert between I-15 and I-40. Of course, I didn't have enough dunnage that time and the nearest Home Depot was 100 miles away.

The trailer I bought came with a bunch of V-boards made of 2x4s. I've been thinking about making some steel caps that fit on ends of stacked 2x4s. Then I can use them as 4x4 dunnage.

 

we use the 4x4 every week somewhere along the way and if nothing else we use them to help snug the tarp up next to the load....

 

Tarpstop in Toledo is a great business! I never delt with them online, but every time I stepped into the store... They bent over backwards to assist me. They don't have much for truck parking though. If you go there, bobtail in!

Hope you get that Melton truck! Melton take care of their equipment. I bought one of their trucks in 03. Still wish I would of kept it. Did they leave the headache rack on it?

 

Another thing.... Get yourself some furniture pads or old carpet. Use them to protect your tarps. Otherwise you'd spend a day or 2 patching

 

A buddy of mine that was at mercer got a load and needed 16 4 X 4's. He did not have enough and went to lowes. I asked him where are you going to carry them when you are done? I like to have 8-10. Most places require 6-8 to load you. There are a lot of places that make you provide them. A few places will sale them to you before they load you. The way flat bed freight is now you need about every tool to be able to haul freight. Dunnage, v-boards, pipe stakes, coil racks etc.

 

if you're not busy I noticed a couple of slices in our tarp this morning.....

 

You want decent 4 x 4's. They come in handy. Either as dunnage of for building a bulk head. I have had a couple loads before where I built 2 bulk heads.

 

Ms. Pony,

Thanks for sending me PM. I don't have enough posts yet to reply so I'll reply here. I'll give tri-city canvas a buzz and see what they can do. 102" width is one of the requirements now, as outlined in the info packet I received. Chris the recruitor told me my pre-approval is good until Jan 30th. Realistically, my orientation will be in early February if things go smoothly.


I too hope I'll be able to get the truck. The loan is already approved, so it's just a matter of me going over to Colorado. Haven't checked if 2290 has been paid on the rig. I have non-trucking liability and comprehensive/collision insurance lined up through a local Progressive agent - just waiting for the actual VIN#.

One hiccup is I only have $9500 cash at the moment, and they are asking for $10k down. I sold $5k worth of stocks this morning, but the fund won't be available until tomorrow or Monday. Luckily there's Wells Fargo (whom I have checking account with) branch near the dealership, so I can get a certified check over there once I have enough in my account, so I'll go ahead and head over there on Sunday.

And yes, the truck comes with headache rack and a big tool box on passenger side. This was one of the deciding factors between this T6 and a 530hp Volvo 630 I was eye-balling.

Before I head out to Mercertown, I'll equip myself with as many equipment as I can think of, and some means of protecting the tarps as suggested.

Thank you all for the help!

 

Banks are closed monday.

You'll love that enclosed rack. What other equipment do you need?

I'll send you a pm myself later tonight when I have the chance.

Your 2290 has to be paid prior to finalizing the lease. Chance are you won't get the tax reciept from the dealer or Melton. Its $550 a year. If you don't get the receipt, then it will be prorated for you. Your prorated cost will be under $300, or should be. Mercer will take you to the IRS office in Louisville to get it done. The tax is due every year in July. So you will have to pay again later this year.

 

Chris was my recruiter. He is a nice guy. Was making fun of my handle tho... Tell him notarps said hi when you meet him.