Quote:
Originally Posted by rank
I've used my ramps once in three years. Lately everybody wants ramps, but they are so clueless about them it's ridiculous. They want ramps so they can save the cost of an RGN or the cost of bringing in a flat bed tow truck. Here's two examples just from today.
#1
Broker: "It's 6 wheeled freightliner dump truck". Do you have ramps?
Me: Yes I have ramps. What's the model of the truck?
Broker: I don't know.
Me: How much ground clearance does it have and what's the wheel base?
Broker: I don't know why?
Me: Because the bottom of the truck might get hung up on my trailer as I'm loading.
Broker: Never thought about that. That's why I've never driven a truck.
#2
Broker: do you have ramps?
Me: Yes. What have you got?
Broker: It's an excavator.
Me: Tracks or wheels?
Broker: I----don't-----know.
Me: What model is it?
Broker: I don't know but it weighs 34,000 lbs.
Me: 34,000 lbs? Not on my ramps.
The one above is a good one.
I was able to load the first OTR tractor on the deck.I was worried the day before, because I have 16kibs load limit on my 14 ft ramps.The day before I went to Copart, I was able to load my own tractor on the ramps.The drives got up to the (I backed up)top deck and I heard a scrub.Just when the front wheel was about to start climbing the ramps, I stopped.Unknowingly, the back farrings got hung up on the top edge of the ramp.The drives did make it to the top deck and the ramps did not bend as I was thinking.I could have raised the self leveling valve to give me more clearance to make it all the way, but at least this gave me confidence about the weight limit.My truck weighs 17.5kibs and so I knew I would be fine.
At the auction, the first columbias' clutch was soo high, and so when I was driving up the ramps, I sometimes had to stop mid way on the ramps to re-steer.Stopping abruptly on the ramps and resteering caused a jerk in weight.This jerk/sudden stops caused one of my ramps to bend a bit.Anyway I was able to make it up there and then call the wrecker to have them put that on the top deck.That part was easy, and so was driving the 2nd columbia up the deck.There were parts all over the place to pick up and strap.There were the air dam/air scoops I had to pick and strap on the fiftth wheel.They were huge for one person to carry and then climb up on top to put them on the fifth wheel.There were other parts like the stacks and brackets.
Every time I do auctions, I run into some hard ass labor.6 hrs,8 chains and 12 straps later I was on my way.
I think I will stay away from these auctions as much as I can ,and I already try to stay away from moving machinery/vehicle with wheels.A 46kibs BOOM vehicle destroyed some of my cross members 8 months ago.Never again.
The wrecker charged $220 and which the shipper paid 4.
The shipper, who is also a trucker with 5 trucks(Cottrell) could have easily ordered an RGN, but would have needed 2 of them because both trucks took up 46ft in length.
He also claims he can find me a clean truck and as clean as these Columbias for dirt cheap.I will see what he comes up with.
While waiting for the gates to open at Copart, I was able to locate Shorter ramps for $450 about 10 miles down the street.They were 8ft length with 12kibs limit, and that would have worked in getting that first Columbia up the top deck.It wasn't justifiable in this economy and since I rarely do these kind of loads, so I told the shipper to pay for the wrecker.
GMAN, IN THIS ECONOMY IT IS NOT WORTH SPENDING $3000 ON 14FT AND 8FT RAMPS.I ALREADY SPENT ALMOST $1K ON THESE 14FT.THAT MONEY INVESTED IS ENOUGH.