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You know those huge, long log-carrying trucks? The kind carrying long stacks of pre-telephone pole stock? From time to time these guys roar by heading to some telephone pole shaping factory, we suppose, not really intending to run your Prius over.

We badly need telephone poles, both replacements and new ones. What would the world be like if we didn’t have a steady supply of telephone poles, for pete’s sake! Therefore, we should think nothing of-a log-carrying truck whizzing by.

It’s when we see two log-carrying trucks, going by in opposite directions that should make us thinking persons scratch our heads. Two trucks, each going in opposite directions. Two trucks, one coming from the east to drop off its logs into a log-shaping factory somewhere west, and the other truck coming from the west to drop off its load somewhere east. Even if you didn’t pass ninth grade geography, you should see how absurd this is. Wouldn’t it occur to them that each truck could simply swap drop-off points? I mean, is there a difference among log-shaping factories? I sincerely doubt it.

Three major explanations of this wasteful industrial behavior fly around these days:

1. More driving allows more home-away time for drivers.
2. There are better bars at City A or City B.
3. The log-chopper mill has a pushy cousin at a distant pole-shaping factory.

All these reasons are ridiculous. More likely, log business persons have been dropping off their logs at the same few places ever since Alexander Bell became a dead ringer, and by God, they ain’t gonna’ change.

There is a better plan on the horizon. Log truckers have cell phones, don’t they? The basic principle here is, one trucker calls another, they swap details about swapping now-shorter drop-off runs, and everybody saves gas. This lowers operating costs for the owners, leads to greater numbers of logging shipments, and higher pay for all drivers.

Diners could be established to cater to this specialty trade. Picture a pulled pork restaurant set up for these hard-working American drivers, with catchy slogans such as, “Try our hogs, while you swap your logs.” Or a bakery aimed at this crowd, “Munch our rolls, when you fiddle with your poles.” Maybe not that one. This could also get mistaken for an ethnic joke slam.

Why do I really think this great idea will only get a vaudeville drum roll? Alas, the clue to this sad story sits in that part above about the log-swapping restaurants. It’s the cell phones! Tree-based telephoning may be on the way out. But wait! Cell phones require towers, which require raw steel manufactured poles, which require trucks to carry the raw steel tower poles, which probably get new truck stop diners in their honor, “Co-ed showers, when trading your towers… “

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Source by Rod A. Walters

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Lifted trucks offer great styling and performance benefits. Raising your truck or SUV adds a beefy look surely will grab the attention of other drivers. The correct lift kit also gives you the capacity to travel off-road.

There are positive aspects that a lift can offer your vehicle, however, there are at least as many negatives to consider before purchasing.

First and foremost is safety; Lift kits elevate the center of gravity of your truck, making it more prone to rollovers. Lifts also raise the height of the bumper (and any reinforcement material behind the bumper) which could cause serious injury in an accident. Bumpers were made to collide with other bumpers, not other passengers. Also, sitting up high can improve visibility for a driver who is looking directly ahead, but what about those annoying cars riding in your blind spot? Now all of these negatives aren’t reasons not to put a lift on your SUV, just items to consider before purchasing, ensuring you do a quality job that will endure the life of your car.

Have you considered what your stock wheels will look like on your new and improved “monster” truck? Many truck owners also purchase new tires and rims to match the look of their lifted truck. This is a great idea and continues to add to the individuality of your vehicle. However, don’t forget that this will likely add more expense to your project. Another drawback is that when you significantly change wheel size, it is necessary to recalibrate your speedometer. This can easily be taken care of by the mechanic who mounts your lift system.

Another thing to consider is ride quality. Is my new lift going to alter the feel of my car? Will a drive down the highway become less smooth? What about fuel economy? Although lift kits undoubtedly make an off-road trip much more enjoyable and smoother, the case may not be the same on the highway. Ask to test drive a raised vehicle at your local dealer to grasp the feel of sitting higher than usual.

Once you have addressed the issues with lifting your truck or SUV, it is time to decide what kind of lift you need. There are two different options: a body lift or a suspension lift. A suspension lift kit raises the entire frame, engine, and power train, using springs, to your desired height. This option is ideal for the true off-road enthusiast. It is a bit more pricey than the other option, but provides you the best clearance for off-road capabilities. A body lift is just that, lifting the body. It does not lift the frame. This method is often a lot cheaper and looks great, but does not give your truck more clearance when off-roading. If you want to make your truck look unique and stylish, and only need to drive on established roads, a body lift is probably your best option.

The next step in your search for a truck lift kit is making the purchase. Most importantly you should look around to find the best deals and quality equipment. Get quotes from your local body shop. Ask them what kits they would recommend and how much it will cost to install each type of kit. Don’t forget to get a timeline of how long the project will take. The internet is also a great source. Search for different lifts online and compare prices to your body shop. A good way to save money is to purchase the kit of your choice online and then bring it to your local mechanic and have them install it for you. Another good place to look is in truck magazines. They not only have excellent advertisements selling the latest and greatest lift kits, but the magazine could also provide some insight into which companies have good warranties, and which kits have stood the test of time and durability.

Before jumping on the lift kit bandwagon, don’t forget the issues concerning your vehicle and a lift kit. By doing the research and finding the best lift kit for your truck you are ensuring thousands of miles of off-road bliss ahead!

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Source by Jake Newberry

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If you’re looking to pour your own concrete driveway, or if you are shopping around for quotes from contractors, you may be confused as to how thick your driveway needs to be. This article will discuss driveway thickness.

Weight

How thick the concrete required for a driveway is based on the weight of the vehicles that are going to be using it. Most households with cars, trucks or SUVs can suffice with a concrete slab that is four inches thick. This is based on vehicles weighing 10,000 lbs. or less. To give an example, an average SUV or pickup truck weighs between 4000 and 6000 lbs, and even a boat on a trailer generally isn’t more than 8500.

Where you will see the need for a thicker driveway is if you plan to have heavier vehicles on it. For the average household, that larger vehicle is often an RV. Most RVs start at 10,000 lbs. and go up to 30,000 (which doesn’t necessarily take into account extra weight loaded into it). So if you are looking to find a place for your personal RV, you’ll want to go up to 5 or 6 inches of thickness for your concrete driveway.

Thicker Better for Preventing Cracking?

Concrete will crack. Period. However, thicker doesn’t always mean you are getting a guarantee of less cracking. Generally, cracking is caused by other factors that can relate to thickness, but are not caused by the thickness. For example, as mentioned above, if too much weight is put on a thinner concrete driveway, yes, it can ultimately lead to cracking. Another major cause of cracking is not having a solid base beneath the driveway. Concrete does its best on solid surfaces that have no movement. In areas where the ground is mostly sand or clay, severe cracking is more likely to happen. And, in such cases, a thinner poured driveway would suffer faster than a thicker one. However, a good contractor will know how to lay a proper base to prep the land for the concrete slab, so whether the driveway is four inches or five, precautions have been taken to protect it from excessive cracking. Likewise, the use of wire mesh or rebar (reinforcing bar) in the laying of the concrete will hold the integrity of the concrete longer, regardless of the thickness of the slab.

Price Differences

Although pricing for the job itself has many variables and can fluctuate across the country, it is approximately 20% more concrete cost to go from a four inch thick slab to a five inch thick slab. However, adding that extra inch boosts your driveway’s weight capacity by 50%.

If you do go with the four inch thickness, you’ll save money because that thickness doesn’t require rebar to strengthen it. Most contractors use the above mentioned wire mesh that is considerably cheaper and still very affective.

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Source by Stefano Grossi

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There are several easy and inexpensive ways to customize a standard tech deck fingerboard.

1.Paint Deck: One of the easiest things to do is get a piece of sand paper or an emery board and lightly scratch of the image on the fingerboard deck. After the deck is smooth and the old graphic is removed,acrylic paint can be applied.

2.Reshape Deck: A standard finger skateboard can be reshaped using a heat source. First remove the grip tape then lightly heat the deck making the plastic soft. Using your fingers bend and shape the board to create higher kicks, and curves.

3.Paint the Trucks: Painting the trucks is a great way to customize a fingerboard and make it really stand out. Take the top and bottom trucks apart, lightly sand them. Carefully paint all parts of the truck except for the threaded portion where the wheels attach.

4. Paint Bolts/Screws: Painting the micro screws and tiny bolts is often over looked on custom fingerboards.The tiny parts can be painted by tying them to a piece of thread and dipping them into the desired paint color.

5. Dye Wheels: The wheels that come with tech decks can be dyed using regular fabric dyes. Follow the manufacturers instructions for using the dye. But leave the wheels in for longer than is suggested to insure a brighter color.

6. Change Wheels: Anybody serious about customizing their fingerboard will eventually look into getting new wheels. Completely custom after market wheels can be bought that feature high tech micro ball bearing that increase the speed.

7. Add Risers: Risers are the small plastic pieces that sit under the bottom of the truck. Adding risers can increase the pop of the board making tricks easier.

8. Change Bushings: Tech decks come with hard plastic bushings that do not allow for much give. Soft PVC bushings can be found in a variety of colors and add a great customized look.

9. Add Pivot Cups: Pivot cups are used when the contact between the the kingpin on the top truck and the master hole on the bottom truck are not connecting. The pivot cup covers the gap between the two and holds the truck firmly together. They come in a variety of colors.

10.Custom Grip Tape: customizing the grip tape on a fingerboard is easy. Using a pencil draw out a design on the paper side of the tape. Cut of the design arranging different colors to form different patterns.

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Source by Bobby Alexander

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The truck tool box has come a long ways in 50 years. What used to roll around the bed of the truck now rests comfortably out of the way across the bed. The cross-over tool box being the most common, it stretches across the bed of the truck, resting on the bed rails on either side. Positioned up behind the cab and up off the bed floor, it is not only handy but provides maximum carrying room in the bed. The tools and stuff in the box are easy to get at. And so is what you’re hauling!

You can find these truck tool boxes made out of aluminum, steel, and heavy duty poly plastics. The steel ones, while probably the most sturdy, are also the most heavy. Aluminum is now quite sturdy and much lighter weight. This is important if you are hauling a lot of heavy gear or equipment. They also don’t rust. The hard plastic boxes are lighter weight as well, but not as sturdy I don’t think.

There are also several options for the lids providing access to the tools in the box. The single lid is okay, but you pretty much need to be in the bed of the truck to make that work. The upside is that you can see ALL of the contents, and access any longer tools easier. There are also dual lids, gull wing lids, and split lids – which open independently and are more accessible from the side of the truck.

The lighter weight aluminum tool boxes are also handy if you have need for a portable box, to haul around a job site, or to put in the back of your Van, SUV, or old station wagon. As they are lighter weight and sturdy, they are much easier to lug in and out, or around.

They are making hand held tool boxes now that are made to fit specific places in your rig. This gives you the light weight mobility of an aluminum hand-held box, with the convenience of a stationery made-to-fit box which won’t be rolling around your truck or van. There are cross-over models, as well as models that fit in the wheel wells or behind or under the seats.

Of course there are still the regular size hand held aluminum tool boxes that are made to be carried around to where ever you’re working, whether it’s your job or your weekend project. Made of aluminum makes them light weight, and so easier to carry and easier to store.

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Source by JF Cost

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Truck parts prices change partly by supply and demand just like anything else. It’s been my observation that parts prices and availability for Chevy, Ford and Dodge trucks have been such that driving old trucks “forever” worked well. Sheer numbers of these trucks on the road guaranteed a supply of used truck parts plus a demand for new parts too. However with the closing of many parts plants, doesn’t it make you wonder where the parts will come from to keep older trucks on the road.

Spare parts for older trucks often were made in batches on regular production equipment and then stored until there was a call for a part. At that time the part was shipped from inventory and then at some point the inventory level triggered an order for another run of parts to be produced.

I drive a 1976 Chevy C10 with about 50,000 miles on it. Can you imagine going back just that far how many pickup part numbers have been built just for Chevrolet trucks? The number is in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions. All parts must be tracked and the manufacturing data available for these parts to be produced when needed. In addition, production tooling and equipment must be ready and on hand to make parts when the existing stock drops to the reorder level.

My guess is that at some point in time some pieces of the truck parts system will just report that the parts requested are not available. Already my review of the GM online parts site shows it stops well short of the 1976 model year. That probably means a decision to drop older parts inventories and manufacturing has already been made, maybe. That may mean that after-market parts makers will step in to fill the gap. Probably only if tooling up to make parts is justified by a proven demand for a certain volume of pieces. Otherwise, the investment is not justified.

Truck parts for older American pickups have historically been relatively cheap and easy to get. That may change as the auto industry changes. That means many serviceable and valuable vehicles will die an early death from lack of affordable service parts. That surely seems like a shame.

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Source by Al Bullington

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With auto repossessions at an all-time high, getting into the repo business has never looked more lucrative.  And while you can make up to $500 per repo’ed car, investing in a tow truck isn’t cheap.

The good news is, you probably don’t need a tow truck to start your own repo business.  Here’s 3 ways you can get started in the repo industry on a shoestring budget:

Tip #1 – Partner With A Locksmith and Literally Drive The Repo Cars Away!

Nowadays, finance companies keep key codes on file for every car they own.  The key codes are a “blueprint” that tells locksmiths exactly how to create a key the same as the original.

Even if the bank doesn’t have the key codes, you can find companies online that will supply key codes for any domestic or foreign vehicle in less than an hour.  All you need to give them is the make, model and VIN number.

With your original key in hand, you can have someone follow you to the repo site and you can drive the car away!

Tip #2 – Work From Home and Help Banks Track Down Repo Cars

You don’t need to be a repo man to earn a living in the repossession industry.  You can start out by helping banks or dealerships track down hard-to-find debtors.  This service is called skip-tracing.  And they’re willing to pay big money for it since their cars are worth thousands of dollars.

You can charge $30-$100/hour to provide skip tracing services to banks – or even other repossession companies.  Of course, you’ll need to invest time and money in good training, but it’s well worth it considering you could make $60,000 starting out – without a degree!

Tip #3 – Become A Repo Job Broker

If you don’t like working nights and dealing with confrontational people, you could setup a web site to get repossession job leads in your town, and sell those leads to other repo businesses.  Then, as you gain more experience in the repo industry, you could take on more and more jobs yourself.

While these money-making tips are no substitute for having the right repossession tools, they’ll help you make money to pay for the equipment you’ll need later on!

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Source by Dirk Windler

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Many folks want to build a truck wash and then start making a business plan. They go look at a truck wash and then think to themselves, well I can build something like that cheap enough. Get a steal building, put down some concrete, buy some equipment and suddenly I am in business right? Sure, in theory.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Truck Wash? Well, down and dirty somewhere between $225K to $400K not including property. I have seen them done cheaper, but generally by the time it is completed it comes out to a heck of a lot more. And once you build a truck wash you want to be sure it makes money to pay off all those loans and the ROI on the property too. But what about the cost of the truck washing services? Well consider about $28.50 to $35.00 average ticket. Now most truck washes get a good $45 to $ 55 for a tractor trailer rig, but due to some local fleet deals, some bobtails and full price combos the average is generally lower. As the Founder of the Truck Wash Guys often new entrants into the market will ask me questions about the industry for instance this recent question;

“The truck wash model appears very compelling. Do you have any rules of thumb as to what I should expect to pay to build one, what ticket average I might look for, and how much I can expect to drop to the bottom line?”

The answer is that these costs vary by region and it is not such a simple answer. Although I do hope you learned a little bit from today’s discussions? I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

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Source by Lance Winslow

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If you own a car, there are good chances of you needing towing services at some point in your life. Whether it is a flat tire, a car breakdown or your vehicle meeting with an accident, you would certainly need the help of a valuable trailer towing service. You can avail towing services for your need 24 hours a day and even on holidays as well as inclement weathers.

When looking for a tow truck, it is important to get services from a professional and reputable provider. Vehicles that are not protected well can get damaged while in transit and lead to a difficult situation. You are likely to have a bad day when you are looking for the services of a tow truck, and it makes sense not to let this terrible experience make the situation even worse. Hence, it would do well to first do your own homework on the range of services available before utilizing any of them for the safety of your car. Before selecting any towing company, you should get answers to few questions like how much would they charge for providing the services of boosting the battery service, doing tire repair, the amount they charge per tow and the distance to which they offer their tow truck service. If the reasons for getting tow truck service are due to tire fixing, car towing, or jump start, it is important to get it done by a qualified towing service. If the services provided by the towing company are not perfectly done, there are good chances of damaging your car during its tow.

If you are unsure about the type of towing service you require for your specific need, you can inform the service provider about the kind of vehicle that you want to be towed. Any professional towing service will be able to advise you if your vehicle needs a flatbed tow truck service for its transportation. You could need towing service to help you get out of emergencies. It is in these situations that the best and efficient towing companies can help you get out of the unpleasant situations the most. The helpful employees of these towing companies can provide you with advice and help in selecting the right tow trucks for your specific situation. When it comes to selecting the right two trailer towing services, you are likely to find yourself in a confused situation. But you can free yourself of worry by the right selection of specialized and reliable company and ensure saving both your money and time. Next time when you are stuck somewhere, get precious advises and skill of a reliable towing company.

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Source by Kris Tryber

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Ford boasts that the top seller for 2017 and the past 39 years is the F-150. The 2017 F-150’s are claimed to be the best ever in their lineup with a starting MSRP of $26,730 for the XL pickup only having 4 x 2 drive train, with estimated MPG at 18-24. The attributes are impressive torque, capability and good fuel economy. Ford is now offering tailgate and box side steps making access to the cargo box a breeze. Keep in mind everything you add jacks the price up, and if you have your heart set on these amenities right out of the gate, that gives your sales person room to work their magic by dancing you through higher priced add-on items to the basic bare bones MSRP making that monthly payment skyrocket. Make sure you know what comes standard and what does not, including the total prices of all the options tacked on. Tonneau covers, running boards etc. are usually not included in the price of even higher end models like the King Ranch, Platinum and Raptor.

Chevrolet claims fame in their proven power and performance full size pickup trucks like the Colorado and Silverado. Chevy has made some bold muscular changes to their front end on the Silverado, a more sculpted hood and signature LED lighting accents. They boast about their world class EcoTec3 engines that offer impressive V8 fuel economy. However, I believe it was noted that their claims regarding their steel truck beds vs. the Ford aluminum beds weren’t exactly tested fairly. Anyone observing their video of the competition product testing would have to see this for themselves. I personally can’t imagine any truck owner having cement cinder blocks dumped into their unprotected/unlined pickup bed. Landscape blocks such as those are usually loaded on a pallet.

All Chevy Silverado lines have phased out 6-speed transmissions and been upgraded to 8-speed automatic. They have added some new cool colors in the premium finish line like deep ocean blue and Siren red. MSRP for the 2017 Silverado 1500 is $27,585 and would obviously cost much more if you purchased it with any other options other than the bare bones items included. The estimated MPG on this Chevy mirrors the stats of the Ford F-150.

Dodge Ram 1500 Express Quad Cab 4 x 4 is very popular but has a higher MSRP of $35,795 for a V-8 automatic. Anything that is not included as standard in whatever model you are looking at will drive that price up higher than you may want to pay for what should be included for a $35,000 truck and is not. Obviously whatever you use your truck for dictates what you have to have as opposed to what you want to have. Be wise and prudent in the choices on your wish list and don’t be talked into pretty stuff you could add later at your own pace. If you plan to tow with your truck, the GVW rate on the 1500 Express is 6,800 lbs. If you want 4-corner air suspension, it will cost you another $1715 while tacking on another $27/month to your truck payment. These are all examples of things to consider.

Let’s explore a bit higher on the truck lineup. The GMC Sierra 1500 Denali premium pickup has a starting MSRP of $52,155. It’s considered a light duty truck with a full size pickup design, signature Denali accents, distinctive lighting and a sculpted front end with bold lines. It’s a beauty for sure. The maximum GVW on this one is 9,300 lbs. Price hikers include the 3.23 rear axle ratio, bed steps and tonneau cover. Obviously the larger the truck bed, the larger the price tag, so be careful not to get a huge truck bed if you won’t be hauling large amounts of cargo. All weather floor mats are a really good investment and I am pro-floor protection all the way, but are they necessary the day you drive out of the dealership? No, especially if you won’t be adding passengers right away.

Buying a new truck can be an exciting venture and so worth all the confusion and information. Do your homework and trust your salesperson if you have had successful transactions with that person or dealership in the past.

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Source by Sal Falco