And the winner is....................

[RostyC]

Before I get to that, let me say thanks to Rev for being heads up and getting my user name back. I tried to get back in a few times but was unsuccessful. So thank you!

I've been busy running the truck and doing some construction and things are going as well as can be expected in this economy.

Ok so let's get to the winner, since I started in late October I thought of this post often, if not daily and it would always help to make me realize that things will get easier.

So without further ado......... Ladies and Gentlemen..................Big Diesel for this post.....

The only thing you will do in the first couple of months will be writing a lot checks ,warping the credit card and wringing your hans........

You will second guess yourself nearly everyday those first two months also.....

But.... once you get into a rythym and invoices begin to be paid to you.... you will never look back..... 8)

And you ain't *****tin brother! That's the real deal.

I am starting to get a little rhythm so things are starting to get easier but I got a long way to go, and hopefully I never stop learning.

I gotta tell you guys a little about my first week cause it's pretty funny. My wife was with me for the whole week, and she loved it and turns out she also likes chrome and shinny things. I'm thinking of getting my wiener chromed.

ANYWAYS!

My first load was lumber and I couldn't believe how hard it was to get the straps over the load. I thought to myself "you can hang 100 sheets of drywall a day and you can't get this piece of ***** strap over the load, friggin loser!" Next thing I know my wife is on top the load straightening them out, she jumped right in there. Well I continued to fight with the straps all week. The last load I did for the week was a load of paint that went to Rochester, NY and from there we bounced to Buffalo to pick up some warehouse racks coming back. Those things scared the crap outta me, he loaded them on top of one another, so I belly strapped the first set then he loaded the second. Well, I wound up not having a strap in a spot where I thought I needed one so out comes my portable 2" strap.

After securing the racks, I pulled out of the way and onto the access road to throw this 2" strap over the load which is like 13'4 tall, and at this point I'm tired. So my wife is on the opposite side of the truck and I ball the strap up and throw it over and I hear her say "Didn't make it" so I pull it back and ball it up again and wing it and I hear again "didn't make it" I thought MF'er I'll get this b!tch so this time I ball it with the buckle, figuring the weight will help get it over, well I threw that sucker as hard as I could outta frustration really and then I hear "oh no Dave."

I walked around the other side of the truck and there is my strap, it definitely cleared the load and also managed to get it over the telephone/electric wires as well. So there it is dangling there, and there I am probably thinking of BigD's post. "What have I done to myself?" Now, my wife is scared that I'm going to get shocked and she'll be stuck in Buffalo alone with a truck and a fried husband, but luckily the buckle was facing opposite the lines so it most likely wasn't going to hook, but if it did I was outta there, I'd a went up the street and tried again with a new strap. It pulled off and I got over successfully on the fourth try.

Now the straps are easy, I have yet to chain, and I've only tarped two loads so I have a lot more frustration in the days and weeks ahead I'm sure,but that's ok.

The truck is running well and I'm putting a lot of the money I'm making back into it till I get it where I want it. I'm trying to be very proactive with maintenance and I'll get there.

I find myself saying "you know what I need" a lot these days.

I haven't had time to keep up with the board a whole lot so I hope all you guys and gals and your family's are doing well.

[GMAN]

Welcome back, RostyC. I am glad Rev could get your user name back. There were some glitches with the change over from the old format. It sounds like you are getting your feet wet. You will learn as you go along. There is a way to throw your straps that makes it much easier to get them over the top. You leave it rolled up and toss it primarily using your wrist and elbow. Watch some veteran flat bedder's to see how they toss them over the top. It can really get frustrating in a heavy wind. When I throw them I will usually hold on to the end without the hook to prevent the entire strap from flying over to the other side. You will get the hang of it. All it takes is practice.

[RostyC]

Oh yeah I got the hang of them now doing exactly the way you just described. At first I was trying the other way where you throw it like a hook shot in basketball but that just didn't take for me. Now they go over and most of time are not twisted at all.

You know what's funny too, I can go from hero to zero in a matter of seconds some days. This job can humble you quick that's for sure.

[Orangetxguy]

Good for you Rosty. Hopefully this economy will be good to you, and let you survive.

[mike3fan]

Congrats,sounds like you're learning and having fun....

How are you finding loads any trouble? making contacts? getting fair rates?

[RostyC]

Congrats,sounds like you're learning and having fun....

How are you finding loads any trouble? making contacts? getting fair rates?

Loads are scarce right now but I'm getting about 3 or 4 days a week in the truck, and sometimes I need days to do the construction stuff rather there's loads or not, but it is slow on both sides right now. I'm home every night now except for the NY loads. I get anywhere from 1 to 4 loads a day, mostly MD,VA, and PA.

I think the rates are fair but I'm also going to seek some advice on that and see what I come up with. I'm not real comfortable putting out numbers on forums right now but I will check to see how I'm doing.

[Rev.Vassago]

Before I get to that, let me say thanks to Rev for being heads up and getting my user name back. I tried to get back in a few times but was unsuccessful. So thank you!

Glad I could help. Keep us updated!

[Mackman]

Put a pic. up of your truck. I also run in PA DE NJ.

[RostyC]

Put a pic. up of your truck. I also run in PA DE NJ.

You scare me, I don't know if I want to run into you Mackman.
I'm only kidding. If you see me give me a shout.


Are you familiar with Elizabethville, PA. or rte 225 at all Mackman?

[BigDiesel]

Remember that in slower times, providing top notch service is very important........ Your customers will remember it................

[RostyC]

Some of the things I've done to the truck so far:
Six new tires on trailer, I got two to go, there about 30 percent though so it's not a rush.
Air Weigh Scale, I just now got it calibrated about two loads ago but it seems like it was worth it, we'll see.

New: shocks, exhaust Y pipe, fuel lines, water temp gauge ( I thought I broke it when I was trying to replace the lite and the lite fell into the gauge, but I think now that it was already screwed up, at least that's what I'm telling everyone ), new lite grommets for some of the gauges.

The things I'm working on getting done in the near future as money allows: New power steering fluid lines, rad flush, fill, thermostat and new fluid lines. Steam clean the entire underside and look to see what air lines I want to replace. Fix the differential temp gauges. Transmission fluid lines replaced as well. Now keep in mind not all this stuff is bad I'm doing for my maintenance file and so I know what I got.

Other things for the truck: Power inverter. (I need help with this one because I'm going to start pricing them out, I got an estimate on the labor but I'm wandering what a good inverter is for the money.) Espar heater and maybe something for A/C.

Things I need for the trailer: Another tool box for the other side in between the spreads. Aluminum wheels. Tire inflation system, dunnage rack. I'm forgetting a lot here but the list grows every day I swear.

Once I have truck mechanically where I want it then I can work on the cool stuff, paint job, chrome, some of those naked woman mudflaps! etc....

Feel free to add to the list or whatever other thoughts you guys might have....

[RostyC]

Hey where is everyone? I feel like I'm in here by myself. Y'all leave me alone in here I'll dance around naked singin show tunes or something..... now wouldn't that be a sight to see huh? Uglier than Bandits Cousin gettin it on with his little dog.......... Well, maybe just uglier than BC himself, jeezus that boy is ugly.

[Rev.Vassago]

They all left because of you. True story.

[GMAN]

Hey where is everyone? I feel like I'm in here by myself. Y'all leave me alone in here I'll dance around naked singin show tunes or something..... now wouldn't that be a sight to see huh? Uglier than Bandits Cousin gettin it on with his little dog.......... Well, maybe just uglier than BC himself, jeezus that boy is ugly.

Well, I would not want you to feel all alone, RostyC. Just don't start prancin' around naked.

[Red Clay Rambler]

OK, I'll contribute a question, Rosty. Are you using your own authority or are you leased to a company? Sorry if you've already told us in another post and I missed it.

[RostyC]

OK, I'll contribute a question, Rosty. Are you using your own authority or are you leased to a company? Sorry if you've already told us in another post and I missed it.

I'm under my own authority RCR.

[RostyC]

They all left because of you. True story.

That's not the first time I've heard that actually, I wonder if it's because of my constant ing all the time? At 38 yrs old it's certainly not the high school butt I used to have.

[RostyC]

Well, I would not want you to feel all alone, RostyC. Just don't start prancin' around naked.

Thanks G.
I finally got back in the forum and last night when I checked the board all I saw was my name as the last poster for like 5 or six threads, and I thought "gee wizz I finally get a chance to talk and no one is around to hear it", or see it as the case may be.

[GMAN]

Traffic has been off a little lately, Rosty.

[geomon]

Hey Rosty...I'm still readin tho not posting as much lately....holiday/work etc. But I'm glad you're back posting as I hope to learn from your experiences as well as the others who have come before so thanks for hangin in there and Happy Holidays to you and your family!!!