My New Truck/Trailer is AWESOME!!

My oldest son has been driving my newest truck/trailer for about two weeks and the early returns are fantastic.  Besides the fact that he is running like a horse -- just over 5,000 miles by the time he gets home tonight -- the expenses have also been reduced because of the light-weight trailer.

When I was a driver, much of my 'windshield time' was spent visualizing the Perfect Truck and the Perfect trailer.  This setup above is almost it, for what we do.  The perfect truck -- in my mind -- is a 2005- 2007 Dodge Ram with the 5.9 Cummins.  (Yes, the early model 2007s still had the 5.9.  They switched to the 6.7 mid-year to meet the new EPA requirements).  Dodge finally figured out an automatic transmission that could handle the torque the 5.9 generated. 

The perfect trailer -- to me -- would allow us to carry pipe up to 40' or two cars at a time.  Because many of our out-bound loads are relatively light (10-12,000 lbs) we really didn't need a heavy, beefy trailer.  My older trailers all have dual, tandem axles - 4 tires/axle -- and were rated to 24,000#.  They also weighed about 7,500 lbs empty.  The one above is rated to 14,000 lbs and weighs 4,200 lbs empty.  Less weight = better fuel economy.

I am having a 'bridge' built that will mount across the very rear of the trailer -- on the end of the dove-tail -- that will give us a support point at deck height for really long pipe.  The bridge will lift off and store on the gooseneck when we are hauling cars.

About the only thing I want different on my next trailer is a solid deck at least 96" wide.  This deck is open in the middle (it's technically a car hauler) and only 84" wide.  And I have my eyes on one now.  But it's going to be 2-3 months before the cashflow will allow more expansion. 

Those 5,000 miles Nathan has driven consumed more than $1200 in fuel.  That's on top of all the other money I spend getting this equipment setup.  It is typically 45-60 days before the out-go and the income get in balance because most of our customers are on 30-day billing.  But we pay OUR expenses (fuel, oil, insurance, motels, tires, maintenance, etc) as we go.

It would be nice if I could find another experienced driver or two.  They need their own diesel pick-up truck.  Brand doesn't matter; age and mileage do.  They need to be a motivated, self-starter anxious to make some money by working hard.  There is more to this than holding the steering wheel and keeping it between the lines.  Ask Nathan!

Detailed info is on my website here:   www.stsHOTshots.com  Click on the 'Owner/Operator' tab.