The pumpkin book provides a method to record and keep track of the load information for various reasons. Its a convenient way to have all the numbers at hand when you need them at a receiver or shipper. My only complaint about the pumpkin book is ITS TOO SMALL to write all that information on and its hard to read so.... I created a full page sheet, similar to the pumpkin sheets only I keep them on a clipboard. They're larger and I can actually see them better and there's more room to write the information down. Of course I tailor made them to my specifications. I find that works much better for me. Every time I come home, I print out a new batch of blank sheets to take back out with me and file the previous ones. I agree, it's best to keep records. Every man for himself out there in this world.
