Mercer

Now it is good to have a bunch of equipment. But since your just starting this adventurous trek, don't run yourself broke. Start with the minimum that Mercer requires. Then acquire the rest as you roll down the road or as you need it.

You'd be surprised what you can buy off other drivers when their company goes belly up & leaves them stranded across the country.

 

Holy macro, 7-page worth of posts a single day! I feel like I opened Pandora's box

Seriously guys, I very much appreciate all the info and your time.

OK, I missed this. What's involved doing this? I'd rather do OTR, but want to keep my options open.

You know, Gale Banks makes a box for diesel P/Us that allows you to change programs on the fly. I wonder if there's a way to adapt that somehow?

Too bad I don't know anything about computer programming. I could be making extra money if I knew how.

That's the way I was taught by the guy who trained me. Then after a while, Swift changed their policy and wouldn't let us hook one end of binders directly on rub rails any more.

Not sure about smelling like a rose (especially in a literal sense), but I see what you're saying.

In 2008, I managed to do 120k+ miles (on odometer) in a truck governed at 62 mph. Now I can do the same for a lot less driving hours, and I own the full responsibility of my operation - it's not worth risking it fudging logs just to get extra few bucks a week.

Plus, it was pretty intense trying to make money in a 62-mph truck getting 32 cents a mile. I'm not going to slack off or anything, but I'd like to kick it back a notch.

You're correct it's my first shot at being an O/O. Although I always did a walk around before starting for a day (especially when I had loads that have tendency to settle/loosen up), I admit that I hadn't gone the extent of checking tire pressure every morning trying to save time. I'll try to make a habit of more through pre-trip. If not, my first tow expense sure will be sure to force me inspect my rig daily

Good advice on oil change and greasing zerks. Also, as per Ray (roshea)'s recommendation, I'll install bypass filter system as soon as my cash flow allows.

 

Haven't driven a KW yet, but one thing that caught my eye - the pedal layout.

I use left foot brake and float gears to downshift when slowing down or coming to stop. This seems to shorten stopping distance quite a bit as I don't have to back off the brakes. I may not be able to do it with KW's pedal layout. I'll find out in next week.

Other than that, I'm sure it'll be a huge leap compared to the Columbia I used to drive.

That thing was a dog. The engine was rated at 455hp at 1850 rpm. Yet, it was governed at 1700 rpm. And 9-speed transmission. And couldn't build momentum beyond 62.0mph before start climbing a hill. It was brutal going up Grapevine and Cabbage pulling 49,000 lbs of lumber!

That's how I got my trailer!

Good advice. I'll still get furniture pads, but I'll stick with just bare minimum requirement until I officially sign the lease.

I thought $20k was enough to get me started comfortably. Well, I know it is enough (for my risk tolerance anyway), but it sure makes me nervous when the savings I built up over the past 2 years are flying out the window like there's no tomorrow.

I am aware I'm in the toughest phase any start-up business faces - invested in most of equipments, too late to turn back, and no money coming in yet. I need to hang tight, and do whatever it takes to get my gig going.

You guys have been a great moral support for me. Thank you. When I run into any of you guys on the road, lunch is on me. Maybe not for the first couple of months, unless you like cup noodles

 

want to talk to you about the ECM stuff...geeze y'all I am trying to "clean the house" and you all typed yourselves todeath last night while I was trying to sleep........anyway KATZ did ya get the info I pm'd?

 

I sure did. That online catalog is pretty cool. Thank you!

 

I myself am looking at those systems. I'm considering the gulf coast because I've heard nothing but praises of them. Any of the systems will easily save a man $150 a month.

Your starting off in a better position then I did... Trust me when I say that! I had nothing! Came out of the truck, gave up trucking all together. A few months later I was on the verge of losing my house. I had to do something, but refused to go back into a company truck. I didn't have 2 pennies to rub together, but had great credit that was going to be gone if I lost my house. So I did a sign & drive on the truck... It sat in the driveway for 2 weeks while I scrambled to get my equipment. I pawned all my guns... Pawned the title to my Jeep... Borrowed $1000 from my sister... Did what I had to do to pay the 2290 & give Mercer the 50% for equipment.

7 months later.... I still don't have 2 pennies to rub together. My bills are caught up. My guns are at home. My title to my jeep is at home. My sister is paid off. And all my equipment is paid off other then the truck & trailer.

Anything can be done if you have the desire & the willingness to learn.

You will run into us eventually... And as broke as I am, a cup of noodles sound good!

 

you are welcome to come by the house I'm prolly gonna go buy ribbs......( and a printer)

 

Naw... I'm going to pump some fuel here in a minute & get cruising! Anyhow, I heard where your trying to get that printer to fit.... And I don't want to be a witness!

 

funny verry funny....

 

My only question is... Where do you put the paper?