FullMetalJacket at Prime

Just thought I'd add this info, in case anyone might be interested.

Back before I bought the big bunk & was considering doing my own modifications/additions, I was very interested in utilizing this company's portable shower offering.

I believe they have much more potential than most all others I have seen for either interior and/or even exterior planning.

Figured I'd add this info in case anyone has pondered the possibilities, or even reads this. Pretty cool stuff compared to all the other I have seen.

Www.joolca.com

Peace Y'all. ✌

 

Been absent again due to being back out & busy, but thought I should update experience with new truck for anyone that might be interested.

Realizing now I am still not going to have time to start another thread dedicated to big bunks, even though I really should slow my ### up by now.

Ran into several tight ### facilities right from the get go, even for a regular sleeper. No surprise, as it would be just my luck. Had several more in the following months.

All I can say is that I HAVE had to be creative & think things out before hand, but I have yet to pay a jockey to dock my trailer. I am sure it will happen eventually, at some point. But, has not occured thus far.

As far as weight limitations, theoretically limited to 40,000# full up on fuel.

In practice, balance (not full weight) has been the issue.

Have always run my trailer gap as small as possible, but have had to run 5th wheel all the way back. Still front heavy & have to be especially careful to instruct loaders accordingly.

Had situation of supposed 24,000# load picked up going to CA. All good & maxed up front the way they loaded.

But, had second pick. Unbeknownst to me, another 16,000#....... Definitely limited as far as tandems.

Should have had everything taken off at that point & let broker deal with, as I had contract for 24,000# & he screwed up.

But, decided to try to work out if loaders were willing to play.

End result, after 3 reworks....... discovered that it is actually possible for me to carry 40,000# w/Cali lenght law IF things are loaded perfectly. Really sweated that one out on 1/4 or less of fuel.

Needless to say, I now have pretty much limited loads to 37,000# or less.

Best guess from examination, is that it eliminates at least 30% of loads from the 43,000# I looked at before. Possibly 40%.....

Hard to definatatively say in this screwed up market of late.

All I can update right now, but really should ease up a bit & find the time.

Might be getting too old for this run, run, run & all around the clock spot market reefer anymore. But, it has indeed worked out thus far w/truck. Even in this crap market.

Really should be about time for me to rexamine those entertainment industry options soon... ✌

 

Miss some of the folks from early on in my thread, both those that helped me & all those that I tried to help.

For those that may possibly read things here, just a little insite on all those folks.....

What might surprise some are that many are still out here on the road..... but no longer here on this site.

Includes both some of those that helped me at my start & a few of my initial fellow students. Heck, a many, many more of my own #### students from past that used to be here. To my knowlege, every single one of my former students & trainees but for one, are still driving with perfect safety records.

Just trying to say, just because you no longer see someone post here.... does not mean there was a drop out or failure.

Sometimes folks just work too hard or have just moved on with their lives. Or, other issues have intervened.

To everyone. Life is what you make of it. Make it count.

You never know when it might end.....

Peace ✌

 

So far, all still good..... aside from lousy spot market. Much more limited in loads & being much more selective, but still staying profitable with much more comfort. I'll take the trade off's, cause I can.....

Recently had run with really crazy tight, very small facilities on both ends. Reciever, was barely able to fit truck between both buildings front to back. Glad I came in early overnight when things were quite & desolate.

Shipper was the best part, though. Had a standard sleeper come in & attempted blind side dock & buried his truck in drainage ditch directly in front of me, requiring hours long wait for wrecker to extricate him before I could even pull my trailer out of dock. (Disconnected to allow wrecker additional room to get him out).

Anyways, so far no issues with even tightest facilities I have run into, even compared to even those tightest of last decade. Eventually, I am sure one will present itself impossible requiring paying a jockey, but not yet.

My words of advise, which should be operational standard for everyone regardless of truck size..... Check out all stops on satellite view ahead of time. Even that can be very deceiving though, compared to reality once there.

If any doubts at all, park it & walk yourself in to check things out, before you get yourself into a jackpot. Those few minutes spent coul save you hours of aggravation & much money in wrecker fees... not to mention vehicle damage, as demonstrated by the 1st yr driver that buried his truck in front of me.

(In case anybody wonders, would have jumped out in a heartbeat to help the guy. But, I was inside facility when all occured. Apparently, another 1yr driver DID jump out to help & directed him right into situation. Lesson......? Be very carefull of assistance. Trust more in yourself & Get the hell out & look, no matter how many times. No shame, suck that pride up.....).

If you DO happen to go in headlong & get in trouble....... Do not panick & rush things. Pause & take moment to catch your breath & really assess situation before taking any action.

As I always told my students...

If it got in there, it can come out of there same #### way........ IF you haven't panick & jacked things up beyond recognition.

Peace to any & all that still may see this thread.✌

 

Update on water situation,

Have given up on hand filling tank from interior sinks to keep drinkable from tap.

Even with just trying to keep constantly topped off, hand feeding by jugs too much of pain in the keister. Was good thought in theory, but not practice. Really wanted to side step bottled water for drinking thing, but too much of hassle.

So, back to bottled water. Rather than cases, went back to my old refillable 5gal containers filled at Walmart filtered dispensers w/rechargable electric pump.

Carry 2 5gal jugs, but could get away with just one.

Was a good try, but just using filter on hose at island taps for shower & sink water much less hassle. Still need to examine water carefully before use, even with filter.... but, much less hassle than reloading jug by jug.

Oh well, was an attempt. Living & learning by trial.

✌

 

Grey water no issue at all. Just water & soap, dump anywhere or while driving. Toilet is cartridge, so no issues there. No black water.

You know, thought same thing myself as have seen very few big bunks since I bought in Fall.

Funny as hell, since I have been at this tiny QT for nearly 2wks waiting on trailer work.

Have 156" long nose Pete parked next to me. Another 156" long nose Pete parked 3 spots down & a 156" Volvo bit further down. Earlier, had a 168" Pete come in fuel & park for a spell.

Crazy, how that #### goes, I guess. LOL

✌

 

Parking has not really been an issue.

Some shipper & recievers have been much more of issue.

All in the approach, brother.

 

5gal trap container.

Small box w/handle. Even has extendable handle & wheels, if needed.

Open side box access, pull out & dump in toilet. Reinsert & good to go.

Heh, heh..... 250'. Really, usually just keep grey water open all the time. Unless freezing & worried about creating ice while parked.