or do I?
Went to an auction today, cabinet shop liquidation. Came to an old Uhaul that wasn’t on the inventory. Said it ran 4 months ago, but was towed to this location, no battery, driveline in cab.
Hadn’t really looked at it more than a walk by.
Auctioneer worked his way down to $100 before someone jumped in….I’m thinkin’ scrap would be more than that, so I come in at $200, other guy goes once more and I buy it for $400. Then started looking at what I bought. Tank not sour, hmmmm, hadn’t sat through a winter…that’s good. Oil’s nice and clean.
Came home, grabbed a battery and some tools, went back and fired it right up! A little rough, needs a tune up for sure, exhaust donut leaking. Gobs of oil pressure, temp steady….dang this is cool!
Install driveline.
Mobile Storage!
Not sure I need it, but what’s a guy gonna do?
Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
Replies
at $400 you didn't do any wrong.
Good deal! Time to turn it into an advertising billboard for your business.
cool
Get some Rims for it & tint the windows!
Don't forget a thumpn -n- pumpn system.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Pimp my U-haul...X-hibit be knockin on yer crib.
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
What kind of title and registration did you get from the cabinet shop? Your home state? Seems a little odd that U-Haul would sell one of their units with the company logo still on it.
Otherwise...where can I find an auction like that? If nothing else, that's an easy resale for a nice profit.
Yeah, Idaho title will be in my name. They guarantee title.
She's a '72 so it been a while since it's been in UHaul's fleet. I thought the same thing about the signage, I imagine they're more careful now.
Had no intention of buying a truck, but I'm a sucker for a deal...it's the only thing I bought...bid on a few others.
I was thinking about one of those POD things to load out all the #### that's in the Forever Garage so I can paint in the next coupla weeks. Now I have my own...and it moves!
Cabinet shops around seem to be dropping like flies...it's not pretty.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Heck, the TIRES on the thing may be worth $400. I don't think you could get hurt for that amount.Too bad it's a Ford.(-:
Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. [Theodore Roosevelt]
Funny you should mention the tires. When I was under it putin' driveline in I noticed the rubber...all matching and lots of tread. I'm kinda stoked.
I was asking myself what would make me jump on this and balk at buying a Blum Minipress for the same money....go figure.
Ford helps to balance the fleet. Already have representation from GM and Chrysler. Seems like all old Uhauls were Fords.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Yeah, the Ryder's are GM.Mine is a 12' cube low floor. Bought at 85K miles Drove it daily for years, then slowed to just moving it job to job - a few hundred miles a year on it. The brakes and steering were both getting wobbly and I was looking at tires too, maybe 2-3 grand to keep it on the road, so I parked it near the shop for storage and use a 14' AL trailer now. That cost me six grand new, but far less upkeep and easier to move job to job
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Had no intention of buying a truck, but I'm a sucker for a deal...
Me too, as anyone seeing all the bargain materials and bathroom fixtures I have in storage can attest.
But hey, if it's a good investment, one that can be easily sold for a profit, why not?
There are lots of possibilities for that truck body. You could fit it out as a weekend camper by making a temporary wall with a window and entry door to stick in the roll up opening. Could be made in two lightweight sections.
Remove the tools, roll out a piece of carpet, set up a comfortable living space, install end wall and go fishing or hunting in style.
You have all winter to turn it into a Fest Bus and sell it to those intrepid venturers.
Would that make it a Festibus?
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Wasn't he on Gunsmoke?
Addams Family, I think.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
"Yes sir, Marshall Dillon!
A festibus for the restofus?
From what I understand, Uhaul aways looked after their trucks. So you should be good for a long time.
Hi, sorry, but from my own experience , I am of the opinon that u haul is on the lowest rung of rentals, and they did a very poor job of maint. on trucks I have rented in the past. This was at least 8 yeas ago, so perhaps they have changed, but l stay away from them ever since
"From what I understand, Uhaul aways looked after their trucks. So you should be good for a long time."Not always so. Only in the last few years has U-Haul started cleaning up their act. Use to be franchisees would get most money by turning around and renting vehicles as fast as they could. Mechanical inspections fell by the wayside and many dealers would merely give the vehicles a once over and ship them out to be rented asap. The Scoutmaster of our troop is a manager for U-Haul service center and he says the company really turned around in the last 10 years or so from what it was.
Edited 11/1/2008 9:33 pm ET by ted
"From what I understand, Uhaul aways looked after their trucks."
Myth.
friend of a friend is a big truck re-seller. He said all the rental co's skimp on basic maintenence ... the trucks never sit one plave too long ... so if it's due for an oil change ... they just hope someone rents it for a one way trip and it's off their books.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
THe local guy must have been a odd ball, his trucks were old but good!
How do you stay in business if your "tools" are not looked after?
Uhaul is not cheap after all the mileage charges are added.
Shoulda tried $350.
Well, just like a poor broke relative, you are stuck with it now!
;)
Congratulations!
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Funny thing, during the trying to move $ up, the auctioneer suggested that everyone has to own one of these at some point in their lives.
Guess it's my time!
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Was once in a similar situation. An auction at a fencing company that was getting rid of some old stock. They were auctioning off a flatbed truck they used for transporting lumber and materials, and I started jonesing for it but ultimately couldn't convince myself. It sold for about the same price.
Got an old scroll saw for $20 and a zillion linear feet of 4' cedar planks for $5 though.
Man, Oh man! All I see is pure, unadulterated, carpenter lovin' potential there. Great deal.
I'm thinking you go Site Commander on that like Tools of the Trade Mag.
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1515&articleID=751412
(the first Site Commander was the best, couldn't find pics of that one though)
I see some fold-up/roll-up sides, a full shop inside, a kitchen, and office, a napping loft, polished aluminum, chrome, lights, windows, plasma tv's, and....WOW!
Put some business graphics on the side and park it on site; get major R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
Don't forget to remove the governor....not much respect when you are only going 55 on the expressway as everyone passes you while giving the finger.
GK
What to do? Here's what ...
First, make sure those are the correct tires ... for example, a one ton truck needs ten ply truck tires, not something less.
Then ... get out a tape measure, and measure the height of it. Measure exactly. Then, start looking at overhead clearances real close. It's simply amazing how many things are out there to nail a tall truck.
Now you have a tough choice to make .... do you want a shop on wheels, or a materials warehouse? The answer will decide what to do with the inside. The low floor and built-in ramp are real blessings.
I don't know what the top / roof is like, but here are two thoughts:
1) UPS trucks usually have translucent roof panels, to let in light; and,
2) I often work atop y truck, so my roof has been beefed up and given a non-slip coating.
A decent paint job might cost you 10X what the truck cost you .... but you have an awesome billboard for advertising your business. Indeed, I'd look for a high-traffic place to park it off-hours, just for the advertising.