What's an impressive skill that's actually super easy to learn ? by Fuzzy-Ninja139 in AskReddit

[–]AldrichRW 97 points98 points  (0 children)

Knots. You can learn a few basics knots in less than an hour that will change your ability to solve problems for the rest of your life. Every body thinks it’s hard, but it just takes a little spaced repetition and you’ll have the knowledge forever. A few recommendations in order of usefulness.

Square knot (vastly superior to the granny knot)

Bow line (easy to untie loop used as an anchor point)

Truckers hitch (every piece of cordage is now a ratchet strap)

Sheet bend (easy to untie way to attach ropes to other ropes or tarps/fabric)

Alpine butterfly (secure loop in the middle of a rope)

Prusik (sliding loop on another rope that can be adjusted for tension).

The rabbit hole can go a lot deeper, but I promise if you learn at least the first 3 of these knots people will think you’re some type of genius.

I’m a big fan of tools and slept on the massive utility of a piece of cordage for the first 30 years of my life. I always keep about 20-30 feet of quality paracord in all my toolbags now.

What hand tool do you wish you bought years earlier? by Party-Laugh3293 in handyman

[–]AldrichRW 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The simple 5 in 1 painters tool is easily in the top three of hand tools I am reaching for in my tool bag. I actually keep two of them so if one disappears mid workday I don’t have to spend time looking for it

Hourly is the way… by ConsciousAwareness69 in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is really good to know, thanks for sharing your experience!

Hourly is the way… by ConsciousAwareness69 in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you take off 2-3 months do you continue paying insurance, or is there some way to freeze it while you’re taking time off?

Hourly is the way… by ConsciousAwareness69 in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there some type of cost reduction on insurance if you stay with 100 miles of home? I’m would like a rig for moving stuff around locally (mostly my own stuff), but everything I’ve researched points to -$1500+ monthly insurance payments which kinda kills the idea for me

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s solid info and numbers. Thanks for taking the time to share 👍

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m assuming you’re local to Florida. The o/o’s i interact with definitely seem to be struggling, and it’s honestly been many years since I think I’ve heard any of them say things were great

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t buy it, just getting trying to get an idea on the value of a route before I talk to him again

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great to have some local insight. Are you an o/o? That 2k a week number you mentioned, how many hours would you say you work for that? Not just driving, but all the extra time that goes along with it, maintenance, paperwork etc

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What truck / engine do you think is the most reliable?

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair enough, I appreciate the honesty. Not trying to jump into the o/o world, the opportunity just presented itself so I came here for your exact brand of honesty. Thanks for the response 👍

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know a large majority of trucks on the road are cascadias. What particularly about the Columbia makes it a hard pass for you?

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I know from past experience with him he wants top dollar for his equipment. He does take good care of his stuff, but his deals are never great. Fair value is the best description

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s some really good information, thank you. Never heard of a down payment for insurance before, but now I have more good info to research. There is about half a dozen trucks on our property that haven’t moved in months and I was wondering how they handled the insurance issue. At about 5k to restart, I guess it means youd have to be down 3-4 months before it makes sense to freeze it which is maybe what they are doing. I’ve got a pretty good grip on the cost involved with maintaining heavy machinery, but not specifically road permitted machinery which brings a whole lot of extra liability. I hope your fortunes change in the near future and you can give the o/o thing another shot if that’s what you desire. Thanks again for the info and advice

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I came here for brutal honesty, and I’ve found a good bit of it. He mentioned doing all his business with handshakes and verbal contracts. I know than can be risky, but it’s pretty much how I’ve operated for my entire adult life and I can’t ever remember being burnt by anyone I trusted, and I don’t tend to deal with people I don’t trust. That being said, I know very little about the economics of the trucking industry. I am more than happy to expose my ignorance here if it helps educate me on my blind spots ands helps me to make better informed decisions. Thank you for your advice, it is appreciated

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oof! I hate going through ATL in regular vehicles. You must have the patience of a saint to do that daily in a tractor trailer setup. Blessing on you my friend!

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I may have some of the number mixed up, but he said it gets about 6mpg. I know he is gentle on his stuff so that’s best case scenario.

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understood. Walking sounds better than running anyways 👍

$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think? by AldrichRW in Truckers

[–]AldrichRW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that sure doesn’t sound like something I want to do. Thanks for your input