The deal went through on my truck today

[Tobin S.]

This is related to this thread ----> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=9399607&mesg_id=9399607

I told you everything about that truck but where the lug nuts were manufactured, but neglected to give you the make and model in the OP. It's a 2007 International 9400i. I think that model has been discontinued in the last few years and replaced with something that's a little more aerodynamic, and a lot more ugly, called a Prostar. My apologies to any Prostar owners out there. :)

I talked to the salesman today and my loan has been approved. The truck is going in the shop today to have those minor repairs taken care of. Tomorrow I will go in, plunk down the down payment, and sign on the dotted line. Hopefully the truck will be done by tomorrow, but I doubt it will be. It's got an a/c problem that may take a little time to diagnose and repair. But I'm thinking I should have the truck in the parking lot of my condo community by Monday afternoon. Shortly thereafter I will probably have a talk with a nice police officer, who got called out to the community, who will tell me to park the truck somewhere else. :) There is a truck stop down the road that I can park the truck at, but I don't know if I'll feel right leaving it unattended there for longer than a day. I think I'm going to post an ad on craigslist seeing if I can find someone who can rent a little space to me for a reasonable price. Maybe a farmer.

So, to recap: I will officially own a semi tomorrow. My last day at my current job is the 25th. I report to my new one on July 7th. I'll be on the road by July 9th. I still have a boat load of stuff to do between now and then including purchasing or renting a 53' trailer- the big box kind. When I get the whole truck together I'll post a bunch of pics inside and out.

[Brickbat]

1. Corn Binder FTW!

Sorry -- I know it's bigger than a Binder. I love Internationals, all sizes.

I wish I could "rec" this. I've been following your threads and am excited for your new adventure.

[Tobin S.]

2. Corn Binder, Hay Wagon, Thirteen Letter Shit Spreader

:D

Thanks for the unofficial rec. I owned a truck about 11 years ago. It was an International, too. A '93 flat top 9700 cabover with a spring ride suspension. That truck about beat me to death. I had it for a little over two years, though, and it only left me stranded on the side of the road twice- and once was my fault for running it out of fuel. It was good old truck as long as you remembered to strap yourself in to keep your head from banging on the roof. That thing bucked like a pissed off bull. Those rodeo guys didn't have nothing on me.

[Flaxbee]

3. so, I'm ignorant of the world of trucking...

I know at your current almost-over job, you did local runs, local trucking.

Now you'll be doing long-haul driving and own the cab (is it called a rig?) What's the proper wording?

How does this work? Do you deliver what your new employer schedules for you? What kinds of cargo will you be driving?

What are the benefits of owning your own truck? I'm guessing you are able to make more money ... ? What else goes into a decision like this?

How long will you be away on any given delivery?

[Tobin S.]

4. A truck with a trailer is a rig. Or you can call it a tractor-trailer, semi, or just plain "truck"

I'll have to buy a trailer, too, but a lot of companies you can lease to provide the trailer. Doing it this way nets me more money, though. I'll be hauling a 53' dry van- the big box kind that you probably see the most of on the highway. I'll be hauling LTL freight outbound which is several small loads put together to make one big one. I'll take that freight across the country to a big city, more than likely, and make several stops delivering each portion of the load. Then I will be set up with a back haul to get me back to my home terminal. Types of freight will be anything they can put in the box. There is really no limit beyond weight restrictions and the size of the trailer.

The benefits of owning a truck are that you will make more money if you are doing it right (a lot of people don't), you will be able to determine where you go (called non-forced dispatch), increased freedom, and you can determine your own home time. It's also fun....if you are doing it right. :)

I can be away from home anywhere from 6 days to however long I want to be gone.

The thing that goes into making a decision like this is personal. I've been working for other people for most of my career and it has sapped the life right out of me. I desire freedom and independence and I don't have either one right now. But this is not for everyone. A lot of drivers think it's too risky because they have a family to think about. Others think it's it's just plain too risky and desire the security that comes with working for an established company. Most importantly, though, my life has become dull and unsatisfying. I don't think that's a good way to go through life.

[Ptah]

5. I am enjoying being 'along for the ride' with you, Tobin.

Thanks for sharing.



:thumbsup:

[Tobin S.]

7. Thanks Ptah.

I'm glad you enjoy the threads, because I enjoy talking about trucking.

[Inchworm]

6. Awesome! I'll share a quote from dad

"If the wheels aren't rolling, it's not making money"

Great news Tobin!

Have a few songs lol

30,000 Pounds of Banannas ... a PA song :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZZqnVYB4UA

East Bound and Down ... a hot load song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHZJej98_T0

:applause:

[Tobin S.]

8. Thanks for the tunes, man

That's the first time I've heard the banana tune. I'll have to look up the lyrics to that.

[MissHoneychurch]

9. One big step closer to your goal

Congrats Tobin!!! :thumbsup:

[Tobin S.]

10. Thanks MissHoneychurch!

Pretty soon I'll be tooling down the road listening to all of the trucker songs in Inchworm's thread.

[In_The_Wind]

11. Hurray for you!

Good Luck



We were looking into renting a 53' trailer from Fleet in Memphis. They seemed to have the best deals.

[MineralMan]

12. Oh, you must post a photo. Cornbinders Rule!

[Mopar151]

13. Canadian truck racing

Drags, uphill, with loaded trailers. 2000+ horsepower is rumored. Wild time.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwLpKG5TIZA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxv2hOlFav4&NR=1&feature=fvwp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk37_Mi3TY4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmDscD3gjr8&feature=related

Midwestern Semi pullers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OQYFCf8Mcg