Tandem Sliding and Pin pulling tool

The Sta-Rat is the best trucking investment I ever made, hands down!

 

Carry a 3lb sledge and hit them if the handle won't pull. It's that's simple and anything else is just a waste.

 

How is it a waste when I can attach my Sta-Rat, go back to the truck, gently rock it back and forth until the pins line up correctly, and let the tool do the work?

 

That's all weel and good if the handle will stay pulled out in the notch. If not better have a sta rat or a buddy to hold it out.

 

The Sta Rat is responsible for keeping me out of shoulder surgery. Saves time, frustration and sweat. Tried to do it with a hammer, vise grips and seen the sta rat was the tool to have!

 

I'm just saying that you should already have the hammer so you don't need to spend the money on that tool.

As for the handle issue, you should also already have a pair of vice grips, it doesn't take rocket science, just common sense.

I'm not knocking the tool, just saying that it is not necessary is all. It amàzes me how many guys I see trying to slide their tandems and just yank and rock and get all upset. I'll show them that by wacking the pins and using the vice grips make it easier and Almost every single one of them says "I never thought of that" and then " Thank you"......the ones that don't and get upset or angry I just put off as a typical van driver who gets upset when they have to do more than swing 2 doors and hold a steering wheel.

 

I'm not saying the hammer and vice grip way is wrong, and I'm certainly not trying sell a new idea with the Sta-Rat, I just prefer to use the tool that works easiest. I don't have to lean into or over the tires to beat on a pin to get my tandems to slide. I've had my Sta-Rat since 2005 when I worked on a dedicated fleet that had some old, worn out trailers. I feel that the tool has paid for itself over the years, and actually works better now then the day I bought it. I may get in trouble for posting this and it may get removed, but here is a video showing just how easy it is to use the Sta-Rat tool. Draw your own conclusions, but I think it beats hammering on the pins and clamping a vice grip to the lever to keep it in place.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5ZjU2lVYf0[/ame]

 

I have never seen one in use, and you are right, that is a great idea. I know of a few times tho when even that would not have helped with some of the rusted/stuck pins I have seen. But if I ever go back to pulling a van, I may just have to invest in one of those. How much do they run???

 

If I remember right it was north of $80 at the time. To me it was worth every penny though, considering how easy it is to use, and how many times I've saved myself a ton of aggrivation with it.

 

Ive had a sta-rat for 3 years now, and if is still the best tool investment ive ever made