Me too! I waste so much time on those it make me want to

 

I'm glad I'm not alone on this. It really irks me when someone is like: "so what everyone else does?"

Theres been this one guy selling HID kits, car detailing, headlight cleaning, LED's, Strobes, and probably some other BS. His posts were full of big pictures, all kinds of info proclaiming thats its his business, but his website has been under reconstruction (for like 2 months...). He had been posting the same 4-5 ads (sometimes under multiple sections) at least 3+ times a day for the past few months. Its finally quieted down to only like 2 ads that are mostly text, but still several times a day.

All I want to find is cheap Ford parts (and maybe old MK1 VW stuff) and good deals on tools or whatever, it sickens me that people try to promote their business that way.

 

Yep, and that's where it gets expensive.
DOT means the truck has to be in absolutely 100% condition. You must be 100% at ALL times, not just inspection time. I know the DOT guys will set up at some of the larger gas stations in our area and flag guys down for a random check. Landscapers were getting tickets left and right for improper tie-downs and being overloaded last year. Matter of fact, I've got a stupid story to go along with that. My neighbor has a mid-200's chevy extended cab duall dump truck and he tows a tandem axle trailer with a bobcat on it. Twice last year he was pulled over, DOT shut him down and forced him to leave the trailer right there on the spot and it could not be moved unless by a tow truck and until all fees were paid. Why? Because the machine wasn't properly chained down........umm DUH!

I'll bet it gets REAL fun when you start trucking all over and have to follow the rules of each state you travel through...

 

As far as the truck goes...better start searching for a parts truck so you have parts on hand!

I watch farmers around here buy brand new trucks and work them into the ground and trade them in for new ones every 2 years. I watch them get beat into the ground, and they're all Fords. They just got their batch of 2011's last month. Their 6.4's were already smoking blue 3 months ago, which I think pushed the issue of getting the new 2011's. I was able to follow the 6.4 up hill through the center of town, and man...something just wasn't right! Blue smoke and a lot of it... Newer trucks just can't take the beaitng an older rig can take. It's hard to beat the reliability of a mechanical diesel and a cast iron 4 speed sometimes...

I speak from expeience, I rely on my truck every day for my landscaping business...and I've had many days where some parts let go and crap...talk about scrambling to get stuff taken care of! Ya got 8 jobs lined up in a day, if you lose a day you now have 16 for the next day...

Better get friendly with the guys in the 1st generation Stroke forum and buy spares for all the common failing parts, and then buy a parts truck also!

I know my parts truck has come in VERY handy. I used the radiator, alternator, starter, an injector line, CDR valve, and I've kept all the brake calipers and all other core type parts to trade those in and I've bought new ones and have those on the shelf so when my truck does get "down", It's quick to get back up and running.

 

Your right that story is as stupid as your neighbor. If you can't secure a piece of equipment correctly at four points on a trailer then he shouldn't be on the road. No excuse for laziness. Not the first time or the second!