Sorta newbe look'n for advice With A 89 Dodge Dewl-E under 100K/New 2 Me! ;)

New to the private world so here goes;

In Jan. 2013 I retired from the US Post Office as a 30+Years, Vehicle Fleet Maintenance (VMF) Mechanic, Vehicle Fleet-Light delivery transport operator(CDL-A) With their F800 Ford+ "Take-3" trailer/elec. brakes.......26,001 + lbs.
Also Ford F-350/450 7.3 Wreckers and F-550 7.3 Roll-backs for recovery+transport.
Also drove their Frieghtliner 5+9 ton straights hauling bulk mail, local and regional(Erie-Pittsburgh, Pa.) when needed, for overtime.

Being a Federal agency we were/are exempt from log books, scales, and other DOT permits.

As a mechanic I worked on all light and heavy delivery vehicles above and admin/inspector cars+vans.

AND, I'm very thankful to the Post Office and luv'd my years service. Kind'a rare today, but never handled mail and the pressures the "Mail Man" puts up with today since the internet "kill'd" the Post Office's 1st class letter business/volume.
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That being said, I'm now retired and ready to git back out there as a O/O.

I have a solid old "mule" of a 1989 Dodge dually (10,000+GVW) with just under 120K miles, with the early mechanical Bosh, non-intercooled, non-cat-converter exhausted, Cummins with the 727 non-overdrive auto.

I use her to carrying a 9ft.truck camper which just scaled at combined total of 8480+-lbs while hauling a 300lbs+- utility trailer with a load of scrap metal (cleaned up around the garage) today for a total of 9000+-lbs.........Hey the $21 of scrap bought a case of Yingling!!

I also use her with camper to tow my hydroplane race trailer (3-5 boats and 5+engines).

She's a good old "Mule" and can keep up loaded to go racing, once spooled/boosted up with most loaded with trailer, 7.3 Fords and some Duramax's on the hills up to 80mph (When the gov kicks) between Erie,Pa.,>back at my toy box/warehouse and asheville, North Carolina> where I currently reside/snow-bird.
Yes, Really.
On the flats, the newer rigs leave me in the dust.

Manages 17MPG totally empty and around 10MPG with camper and race trailer.

^........No, Really!


What I'm considering Is using her with a gooseneck and 5th wheel hitches to do some occasional "Hot-Shot" local and OTR work. Self and/or contracted/leased-brokered , U-ship?

Some drivers I've talked to say the old Dodges do well. Others tell me to keep her for personal use and look at newer Dodge and Duramax mules.
Thing is, this mule is payed for!


Again I'm comfortably retired with a decent civil service and military disability(30%) pensions and out of debt.
But, The "Woman" and I are getting bored fast!

Any recommendations/thoughts? and what trailer do ya'll like/think will work?....Was NOT impressed with the "Take-3" elec brake trailer I used while at the Post Office.
Still have my CLEAN class-A CDL, but ignorant to log books, needed permits, insurance, etc. :smt102

Thoughts on flat loads vs car hauling?

We are new "Snow-Bird" "tween'rs" who reside Summers in Western North Carolina and Jan.- March in Central Florida.

Anyone with a complete working set-up looking to retire, move on, liquidate due to health, etc.......accounts included?


"Like a lamb thrown to the wolves"...........
Thanks, and would "preciate" any experienced driver/owner or broker recommendations,
Go Postal :smt067 Steve

 

junkypicker2.

Thanks for the info !!

17" shoes would be sweet for the o'l mule but,.....I just put 6 new Firestone "Transforce HT" 215/85/16 shoes on her.

Just got my DOT physical renewed yesterday and the drug screening results to go to "TruckMovers" within 2-3 days to start for them as soon as they receive the results....But, The "Bad Company to work for" thread "What a crock" has me re-think'n that move.

Gonn'a back it down and look more at my own Hot-Shot rig, one way or another, and just try to find a dispatcher/Broker/company will'n to take me under their wing...........Any interested listening ??

Thanks again for the "Good Luck" !!,
Go Postal :smt067

 

Bump,

Any other advice?

Brokers, Lease company(s), Hot+Shot owners that need an extra rig/partner?


Thanks again from this "New-B",
:smt067Go Postal/Steve