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$1.10-$1.12,Texas.(lumber rate)(Oops. Didnt realize that that lumber rates was on previous page)

You are welcome, Steve. Some use 5/16". Most use 3/8". I prefer the 3/8". I believe they are 20' long. I suppose I should measure them. Funny how you can forget about little things you work with on a daily basis. :lol: You want "transport quality" chains. I believe they rate them at M70. There are mail order companies who have everything you will need.

Tarping isn't that big of a deal. If you fold your tarps up correctly, it makes it much easier to use them. Securement is much more critical than the tarping. Tarping is more common sense. I don't know if there is truly a right or wrong way to tarp as long as the load is protected from the elements. There is, however, better ways in which to tarp. :lol:

There should be some tarp manufacturer's in New England. They may have everything you need. In fact, I believe that I recall seeing a company in your area on the internet. One company that carries much of the securement you will need is Northern Tool. They are a little pricey on some things, but have some retail stores across the country. They do a big mail order business. It would be less expensive if you could find a local supplier. Truck stops will often carry some of what you need, but are usually more expensive than a retailer.

About the downshifting from 6th to 5th. Don't do it. I always double down when I shift. 10th-8th, 8th-6th, 6th-4th etc. If you are still having trouble though, 5th is not directly below 4th, it is a little over to the right.

That avatar of yours is too cute

I just got the new issue of TNT, theres an ad for an 02 Reitnour " Big Bubba", 48x102, 10'1 spread, 2 boxes, 14 winches, new rubber & brakes, alum, wheels, dump valve, $25,500. Elizabethtown Pa, 717-575-1933

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Steve,
Don't be afraid of tarping, you'll be tired but you'll get the hang of it. And we flatbedders are a pretty good lot. Just ask at a loader and I'm sure someone will help show you the ropes.

Also, you may want to look for used straps and stuff. Landstar's website has a place called "for sale" that alot of drivers sell their equipment on. Good stuff for a good price.

Anyway, good luck and nice truck.

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You are welcome, Steve. I would not expect anyone who sells tarps to show you how to tarp. They usually only sell them. When you buy your trailer, they may also be able to sell you everything you need for the trailer, such as tarps, etc.,

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I think they're are places you can go to get load securement and tarping training if that helps. It certainly wouldn't hurt. Maybe someone knows a bit more about it.

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Good looking Star Car!!!! Gman's grocery list covers what you will need out there. I will add, get lightweight tarps 8footers, some 4footers, and something small to use for a smoke tarp. If a customer specifies tarping, get paid for it and do a good job protecting their freight. I lost a great customer because I let their scrap plywood get damp. As for securement, read your DOT safety regs then get with a flatbedder to show you. Tarping is an artform just like shifting.

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Not a big deal!! Are you whacko?? Just kidding. Congratulations you are officially a carrier, just like JB, USX, Schneider, Werner, Swift, etc. Make a few copies of your authority letter, put the original away for safekeeping, and frame a copy. You will need this letter, a copy of your W-9 tax form and your insurance certificate to get setup to book freight. What kind of freight will you be hauling?

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Thats it. If you live in New Hampshire, contact Seaboard Forest Products Nashua NH 603-881-3700 Rick or Elaine they have lumber loads, also Tall Tree Lumber Bondsville MA 800-387-4012. These will get you out of New England w/o hauling trash on that pretty red Star Car

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Well, I've spent most of the weekend working on my truck. My fingers are all cut, my knees hurt, I've banged my head a hundred times and my hands curl up and cramp for some reason. Just something simple as putting in an inverter turns out to be a 3 hour ordeal. Replaced lights under the bunk because the lens are all melted, now I know why. The switches didn't work when you close the bunk. Crawling inside a 4x4 space with a soldering iron to replace switches and lights really sucks!! I bought a nice DVD player that's about 6"x 8" from Walmart. I also put in an 20" LCD TV. I bought a wall mount but took it down. There really was no way to secure the TV when driving and I could see the bumps and vibration doing damage so I took up my valuable shelve space and screwed it down there. Man, this must be a major ordeal when you guys buy a new truck and need to get it the way you want it.

More aspirin and back to it.

Yep, you would think for $300, they would at least give you a gold seal. :wink: Brokers and shippers can verify that you have authority, but they will ask you to fax them a copy of your authority, along with a contract and other paperwork, before they book a load with you. If you are pulled in to a weigh station, you could be asked to show your proof of authority. The broker will likely check with the Feds but the DOT may also verify whether your authority is current and valid. I am not often pulled into a weigh station, but I always try to have everything organized and where I can easily access it. The easier I can make it for the DOT, the less time I will probably spend there and the less they will hassle me. And I have been asked to see a copy of my authority. Most of the time, they will only ask to see your Single State Registration and IFTA.

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It appears that your truck and trailer will match. :P Does the trailer have a coil package?

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Well, you may want to put a couple of coils on your trailer after your probationary period. :wink:

Nice Steve. Matching trailer,and the interior is nice too. 8)

I have a dumb question. Does PACCAR make Internationals,and Western Star as well as Petes? Why do the late model Internationals,and Western Stars' dashes,etc look kinda like Petes?

Paccar is the parent company of KenWorth and Peterbilt.

Well,yeah,I knew that,but,I didnt know if they were in cahoots with International,and Western Star.

Sorry JackR, I misunderstood your post, no they are not affliated. As to why they look alike, well everyone wants to copy the best! (a PACCAR product that is)

Western Star is Freightliner, a division of Daimler Chrysler.

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PACCAR used to be just KW and Peterbilt-Don't know how it is now.

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International trucks are part of International Harvester. Western Star is part of Freightliner which is part of Mercedes which is part of Chrysler. Or perhaps is it Chrysler who is part of Mercedes. Detroit is also owned by Mercedes. As far as them looking similar, I think some trucks will begin to resemble one another as these manufacturer's are bought out. There are many parts which are interchangeable. I don't see that they look that much alike.

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Battery Jumping
 

Steve,

The next time you jump the truck hook the jumper cables to the first battery in the series. That way you don't have to push juice through 5 dead batteries to get the truck started. Also, buy yourself a good heavy duty battery charger with the engine start option. Saves on gas.

With a regular refrigerator, you will need to do more idling to keep the batteries up or remember to turn the refrigerator off. I have left my lights on over night and my truck still start, but with a refrigerator, it can pull the batteries down in no time. :?

OPTIMA YELLOW TOP BATTERIES.


Just sayin'. :wink:

6 batteries - yikes. I supposedly got 4 on my Kenworth. Haven't opened the battery box to verify it.

Ya, I always worried about running my frig overnight without the motor and alternator running. I tried it the first time in warm weather with the motor off for 10 hours and had no problem starting. There wasn't even a hint of slow cranking. Of course the truck and batteries were only a couple of months old so the batteries were fresh. When I started the motor, the volt meter was indicating about 15 volts where it normally works down to 14 when everything is fully charged.