Friday, November 03, 2017

Trucking Chores

The truck isn't the only thing we put miles on.  The trailer gets its fair share of wear and tear too, and just like everything else on the truck, it's Ed's job to do the maintenance.

We have a Conestoga trailer, which is a specialized type of platform trailer in high demand for certain types of freight.  Customers specifically request it and pay handsomely for it, so Ed keeps ours in tip-top shape. 

This week he was inside our Conestoga repairing some of the holes in the roof tarping.  Over time and because of vibrations, the ribs or bows (metal bars) that allow the trailer to be opened accordion-style, had rubbed on the tarp material and caused a few bare spots. 

So one-by-one, Ed wrapped the ribs in clear plastic tubing and then using rubber cement, spread glue on wide strips of tarping material, which he then placed over the holes above the rib.  After the hole was covered, he hit the tarp strip with a heat gun to make sure it got all warm and gooey and stuck together. 

He has a very specific maintenance routine and it's one of the things he monitors religiously.  He remembers when stuff needs to be checked, replaced, repaired, updated, and takes care of it immediately.  I don't know how he remembers it all.  I have to make real lists to keep my tasks in order.  He makes mental lists, keeping it all in his head and checking things off when they're done. 

Hmmm.  Maybe I need to figure out how to sneak "take shoes off before walking on my freshly mopped floor" onto that list.  




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: 
The Haunted Trade-Off

2015: High Shine
2014: Operating Empty In The Scenic South
2013: The Sun Shines For All Cyclists
2012: Lured Into A Tourist Trap
2011: Dining At The Buckhorn
2010: Ancient Details
2009: Framed By Fake Fall
2008: Let’s Hope This Five Year Old Is As Accurate With His Predictions As He Is With His Aim For The Toilet
2007: Belated Greetings From The Great Pumpkin Pile
2006: Working Man
2005: Black And White

3 comments:

Marlaina said...

He's still young, that's how he can keep it in his head. But that will end.....LOL

Mike P said...

I can't tell you how many driver's I've encountered with trucks that desperately need maintenance. A good maintenance schedule keeps the truck working and collecting income

The Daily Rant said...

MARLAINA: I know. I used to remember SO MUCH MORE at his tender young age. LOL

MIKE P: A lot of drivers don't consider the wear and tear and how just driving can wreak havoc on a perfectly good truck. And company drivers don't really care at all since it's not their truck. You're right - good maintenance, on a schedule, allows your money maker to keep on makin' money! Thanks for commenting.