There is a tire shop less than a mile from my house. They sell new and used tires. I will see if they have a trailer tire/wheel combo, or can point me in the right direction. I was already thinking of getting extra studs, and lug nuts just in case this happens again. Would also like to get a second wheel and tire if I can afford it. Makes no sense to be putting all these miles on the trailer, and not have a spare tire/wheel in case of a flat, or worse.

I definitely need to figure out the billing for these jobs better. I need to make money doing it, not lose money. Obviously the damaged gate means I will not make a profit on this trip, but I double checked my figures, and found out even before the gate incident, that I miscalculated the gas cost/usage, and was going to be in the hole by $67. Add the $80 to that, and it makes for a negative of $147 And of course, that does not include whatever it is going to cost for a wheel, tire, studs, and possibly a hub, as I found out the studs were welded into this one by the person who built the trailer.

On a slightly better note, the Jaguar is being sold. I say slightly better because the person who came out to look at it called me while I was on the way down to get the truck yesterday, and asked if he could make payments on it. He wants to make 12 payments of $250. I told him I would think about it, but was busy driving. I have had that car up for sale since November of last year, and this guy is the only one to come out and look at it, and still want to buy it. I had it listed for $2,900 and taking 12 payments of $250 will give me an extra $50, but I don't like the idea of taking payments. Obviously, I will keep the title until it is paid off, but he wants to be able to get it running, and smogged so he can drive it. I don't have much of a choice as I see it. Nobody has expressed an interest in it in 5 months. So I might as well take it while I can. This trailer incident has left me in a financial bind, and if I don't get some money coming in soon, I will be in trouble. I will however, ask for a down payment. Instead of 12 payments for $250, I will tell him the first payment has to be $500, and he can make ten payments of $250. That should help me a little more.

edit: Actually doing it this way will give me an extra $100, not $50. When I can afford it, I am going to hire an accountant. Let her do all the math.

Jim

 

Dayum that was initiation by fire there! Over Tehachipi is a substantial pull. Glad you made it ok. By the time you fix the trailer and get another haul or two, you'll start getting the process sorted out, including estimating the billing. New business usually loses money early on. The trick is sustaining the losses until you get the equipment and systems fine tuned.

 

You'll get it figured out jim. Calculating overhead and all that math. Lol.

 

Got lucky on the hub, the studs are pressed in not welded in. So I will just be buying studs, lug nuts, and a dust cap. Already bought two brand new wheels and tires from Les Schwab, for $10 less than if I had bought the wheels there, and the tires at American Tire. My friend loaned me the money to get all this done, and is holding my S&W 9mm as collateral. Which is a blessing as I don't have to sell it now to raise the money. Still need to get the lug nuts and studs though, neither Les Schwab or Pep Boys had the correct ones. Will try Autozone today after church, and if they do not have them, then I will just wait until tomorrow and go down to Redneck Trailer Supply in Fowler. Since I will need to go down there anyway for the dust cover, I might as well get the studs/lug nuts there too. It just means pushing the two tows back a day.

Yes indeed, going over the Tehachapi Pass was a challenge. Not as bad as the Grapevine, but still pretty steep. The trans only shifted down into 2nd once, and I only had to floor it twice to keep maintaining some semblance of speed. Was able to keep it above 40 mph most the time. The Grapevine is a PITA to get over in this truck, and I will have to do it on Tuesday twice, for that second tow to LA. (Oh what I wouldn't give for a diesel truck right now LOL) At least the second time the trailer will be empty (Unless a miracle happens and I win a bid for a tow back up in this direction).

Jim

 

If you do, make sure that when she says she's charging you $50, she's not really charging you $100!

 

Careful here... Unless they are licensed to operate a pawn shop, I believe you have 30 days to get it back. After that it's considered a permanent transfer and you'll need to involve a FFL dealer and the CA DOJ.

You might be able to roll it over beyond 30 days if you have someone else pay your friend off and then take the item as collateral.

Your best bet is to transfer it to someone in your immediate family. When I gave mom her S&W, it cost me $19 to the CA DOJ to transfer it. It was considered an "Intrafamilia Transfer". It was the same cost to transfer it back to me after she died.

I'd hate to see you get into a worse bind than you're already in.

 

After all you've been through suddenly fixing my Powerstroke dosen't seem like that big of a deal...

 

I am not too worried about the handgun issue. Nobody knows she has it except her, me, and her boyfriend, (who works 16 hours a day 6 days a week). The only way the authorities will ever know is if she tells them. She is afraid of guns and will not even open the box, and of course, I did not give it to her loaded.



There is the truck I am towing, and a shot of the missing wheel.



And that is the hub. Looks like I will be buying a hub after all. That one stud hole doesn't look like it will hold a new stud, so I will have to see what a hub will cost tomorrow.

Jim

 

Fact: Banks Power sticker adds 50 horsepower. Thats a much cleaner version of mine for a sec I thought it was mine till I noticed the white grille and no gash on the drivers side bed. Keep on trucking Jim.

 

Well, it is also a 2wd truck with a 5 speed manual trans. Still it looks clean, and if it was an automatic, I would be interested, except, according to the bill of sale, Doug paid $3,311 for it. So, out of my price range at the moment.

Jim

 

See shows why mine is such a steal of a deal 4x4/auto!

 

Going from Death Valley to Chico. Truck will not see too many 100+ days now. I am guessing he is buying it to re-sell on his lot, as he has a Dodge 1 ton with a car trailer already (with the Cummins diesel and he says he gets 17 mpg loaded, and 25 mpg empty on the freeway). When I did a google maps view of his address, I could see the Dodge truck and his trailer parked in front, and he told me he had it when I told him mine gets 10 mpg towing a load. LOL.

Jim

 

Yeah mine would ballpark the cummins if I kept my foot out of it so much. But I like scaring Prius's. PLus I love the diesel clatter at WOT.

 

Come for a visit Chico ain't that far away Jim. Lol.

 

If I do, it would be a short one, as I have to go to Oroville and get the Ranchero. Still, would be nice to see the truck in person.

Jim