Saw this "Pickup" at the State Fair... International hasn't made one since about 1980... but they got back into it in a big way.... largest vehicle that can still be registered as a "pickup".....
It has true "Semi" tires...22.5's....4 wheel drive, Cummins Turbo-diesel, 4 door, 8' box. Bed floor is over 4' off the ground....
Had a request to post this pic, this is when I brought the Diamond T home from Minnesota, a trip of some 500 miles. Towed the trailer up there empty, drove the D-T onto the trailer. Really should have moved it about a foot further forward, but the brakes were half locked up on it, and I stalled it, so figured it was good right where it sat. Well it was a little light on the tongue. So I couldn't go real fast or it would sway, not that I wanted to go fast with it anyway. Left at about 8am, got in about 8 pm, so averaged about 40-45 with it, not bad considering the weight. Trailer was licensed for 9,000, I scaled it in Iowa at 8,880. Bent the heck out of the ramps loading and unloading it, so I took my tractor and drove over them a few times to straighten them out. I did get them straight enough to slide back into the slots at the rear of the trailer. I went through two tires, both were older and starting to either come apart or bulge. One I had a dealership in Minn change, (this was on a Saturday) the other I changed myself in Iowa. I had to crank the tongue jack down on the trailer, lift it as far as I could before my floor jack would lift the axle far enough to get the rim off. And it was a 2 ton jack. I know I had nearly 2,500 pounds on each tire; they were rated for 2000 each. But I made it home pretty much no problem, I did have a 40 mile stretch on the Interstate in Iowa, that wasn't pretty as I was trying to go 45, it was swaying, I was nearly getting run over, and the downhills were pretty hairy. It was quite an adventure, but one I wouldn't care to repeat. It was actually pretty crazy to try something like that, I really needed more truck up front and a heavier trailer. Should have hired a lowboy semi to do the job, but that would have cost at least $1000...
in Minnesota, just loaded....
Another view on the trailer, you can see the rear duals, the outside tire hanging over the side of the trailer....
Finally! On solid ground.....
Sadly, this is still right where she sits, haven't moved it, sat in it, started it or played with it at all. Either too much work to do, not enough time, etc. Not something I am proud of.....sure hope that changes in the near future....
Well, today went reasonably well. I managed to sleep in a bit, but woke up with a terrible pinched muscle between my shoulder. Could hardly stand. Thought, "Great, nice way to start the day". Came in and typed for a couple hours, then snoozed in the recliner. Got back up at noon, got dressed, and started to finish the report I was working on, when I heard Allen pull up. He was headed paintballing, so I told him to take the Explorer and leave the El Camino, and I would fix his steering wheel. We had worked on it Friday night til 10, got the ignition part fixed, but couldn't get the tilt steering right, and the spring assembly for the steering wheel lock wasn't right. I knew when we finished what was wrong, but we had fought it for over an hour, we were both tired. I wasn't tearing it back apart. So I cleared out some room in the Garage, and pulled it in. Tore it apart, and got it back together right. Then I unpacked the big air compressor and stood it in its place. Looks great. Now to get it anchored to the floor, wired in and plumbed. Might get some concrete anchors tomorrow. Allen came back from paintballing at 4, so we tore into his bumper. He wandered off after a while and ate a pizza, but he just isn't into working on this kind of stuff as much as I am. I got the old one off, wound up taking an hour and a half, and finally cut the last four bolts off with the torch. (At least I have one and the place to use it) It was wonderful being able to work in my Garage on concrete. He helped me get the used bumper on, we got it all bolted in and done except the bumper hitch, I will do that another time. It has a bit of rust on it, wasn't as nice as his other one, but it isn't all bent up either. Now he can use his tailgate. He left, and I thought I'd tackle the rear tire of the motorcycle. I fully expected that to be a fight, but it came off relatively easy, and the new tire went on easy, and it bolted back up without a hassle. Haven't quite figured out why that went so well. I brought the battery up, but by then it was getting dark and I was tired. I have to replace the main battery cable, will try to do that tomorrow. It would be nice to get it running, since I have never heard it run. Clean it up and put the seat on it, then it should be ready to go. Next project will be to get the blue Honda running, figure out what it's problem is. I think fuel line. Then move on to Kyle's Camaro, I would like to troubleshoot it and get the motor running. I need to get a water pump ordered for the Volvo too, I know the one on it leaks at the seal. Not in a big hurry to get it going, plenty of other projects need finished, like wiring the Garage, installing lights, finishing the overhead floor and trap doors and ladder system. It would also be nice to get the TV antenna finished up and operational too. Again, lots of projects, far too little time to work on them. Managed to get the well shocked today, so tomorrow I should have fresh water again. That will be nice, let that go far too long. Well, back after it, finish putting in a new faucet in the boys bathroom....
Well, it has been a while since I've had time to update this. Been crazy busy. Had another Inspection backfire, Woodsdale Blvd, old Country Club house, 60+ yrs old. They had a clogged tub drain, complained and asked me to pay for the repairs, so I refunded them their money. Reminded them that was the limit of my liability. Lo and behold, two weeks later I get another call from him saying he had carpenter ants, and they had to have someone come and treat for them, and I should have caught it, and they wanted me to pay for it or they would sue. I told him I had already refunded their fee, and if they looked at the report at all, it clearly stated that was the limit of my liability, and that there was no way he or the pest guy could prove those bugs were there on June 13 when I Inspected the house. I told him I would meet with the pest guy at the residence to observe what they had found, he is supposed to set that up. I called my attorney, he told me not to worry about it, not to give them a dime or the time of day. So I guess I would be willing to go over and see this, but then tell him he is on his own, and if he wants to come after me in court, so be it. I hate asshole people like that.
Canoe trip was fun but very hard, I was exhausted to start, and didn't feel good, and had gotten a bad hemmorhoid the day before. It was a bitch sitting on a canoe seat all week, trying to lift or carry or sit, the only time I got any relief was when I was laying down. So it was a miserable week. My extra weight slowed us down, which made it hard for Kyle and Allen. Allen didn't take his meds all week, and by the end of the week he was quite sharp with others and snappy, irritable. Not good. Jim was pissed because he was doing the work of two guys, I know he was disgusted with me, but there was nothing I could do. Needless to say, if I went on another high adventure trip I would definitely want to be in better physical shape and better prepared, emotionally and mentally as well. We got back on a Sunday, and Maureen had gone back down to Cornhusker, I called her and found out that a CIT camper who had a crush on her had gotten weird over the weekend, became obsessed with calling her, and finally threatened to take her out and commit suicide. Then come to find out he was back down at camp with the other staff! After a quick call to my attorney, I made a beeline for Camp, packed her up and moved her out. So we didn't get back til after 1 am, I didn't get home til 2. My butt was dragging by that time. Monday I did a quick Inspection, then headed for the airport, flew back up to Minneapolis, met the Dentist's family, checked into the motel, and then finally went out to eat. Came back and was able to crash, watch cable TV for a few hours. Got my Inspection done on the laptop, checked out in the morning, and spent the day at the Dental College. I think things went well for her, hope so. Nice kid, pregnant, lots of irons in the fire. Kind of an overbearing Mother, she was the Assistant. Obviously an only child situation. I got out of there and flew back into Lincoln, got in at 6, Maureen picked me up and hauled me to her Mom's where I got the Explorer and made it home, printed off the report. Then I spent the next 10 days trying to play catch up on Inspections. Came in by the bucket loads. Saturday was birthdays in Syracuse, got to see everyone, that was fun. Maureen and I went shopping Friday night at WalMart, we were both way too tired, had a lot of fun with that. I will miss her when she heads back to Emporia. She is ready, tho. Kyle went with the Fosters to St. Louis for a vacation, he didn't get back til Sunday. We spent some time working on the little blue truck, got the door swapped, the new battery in, got it started, pulled the old seat out. I finally ran out of steam after that. We were supposed to do Allen's El Camino Bumper, but he came out an hour late and made a beeline for the computer to play his games, never did come out. If he isn't interested enough to work on his car, I'm not going to do it for him. Kyle at least was interested in learning. We came in and started cleaning up a bit for Tuesday, when I invited everyone up for watermelon. Monday was Scouts, I had put the boys Eagle packets together, had Dennis sign them off Sunday at church, and Adam wouldn't sign them. Wanted to learn more about it first, figure out what he is supposed to do. Allen talked to Scott about his Cooking Merit Badge, he completed that several years ago at Laramie Peaks, never could get Craig Anderson to sign it off, so now Scott wants him to put together a menu for a campout for three days. Frustrating when they can't get the adults to sign something off when it is completed, then they have to wind up doing part of it over again. I had that problem with Bret Daugherty and Allen's Personal Management Merit Badge as well. I know Allen is getting frustrated with it, has had about enough, and I don't blame him. I hope that I can get him through his Eagle, get that completed. I would like to see him stay with it a while, and get his palms, but I think Adam is going to expect more out of him that he is willing to give. We will see. Was headed home and got a call from Maureen that Anita was in an accident, and Maureen was with friends, unable to go get her. So I turned around and went back into town, she rearended a pickup, really took the front end out. May have totalled it. It is fixable, but the body shop will probably charge more than it is worth. So after the wrecker left I took her home. She got a ticket. I felt bad for her. At least no one was injured, the pickup only had a bent bumper. It'll kill her car insurance tho. She just had a claim for $2500 for taking out the side window, she hit a parked semi. So she will borrow Maureen's Mustang, Maureen will drive the little blue car until Friday when I get the Lumina back, then Maureen will drive it to Kaleo, and when she returns, she will get her Mustang back, and Anita can drive the Lumina until they make a decision on her van. She may have to go car shopping. Tuesday Maureen got watermelons, and brought Rich out here to borrow the red pickup, as his car died. She and Rich carried the picnic table around front, which was nice. I got there about 6, after three Inspections that day. Hot outside, about 97. Tom and Betty came up, Curt, Kris, Dylan and Kelsey, Bill, Shelley and his tribe. I can't keep track of them all. hs 5 or 6, one more on the way. I think he's nuts. no way you can give individual attention to each when there is so many. I had a hard time doing that with three, and especially if one or more is high maintenance. They had a nice time, Maureen saddled Willie, and he behaved, gave them all rides around the house. Even Mary Ann got on him. He is pretty tall for her. We got the little red motorcycle out, and Bill gave his kids all rides on that. We couldn't get the Honda started, whic I know frustrated Allen, he wanted to ride that. I wish I would have had the Odyssey running, that would have been a great time for all of them. Maybe by the time they are up next time. We had three watermelons, only made it through one. Took one back to Anita's and gave it to her, have another one left in the Garage. Good melons. We had a nice time relaxing and visitng. I need to do that more often, do that way too seldom. Maureen got her tire fixed, and we have an appointment to get the Mustang in Friday for a tune up. Got Aunt Babe's car done, basically they couldn't find the problem, wound up putting 2 circuit breakers in it, charged me $21 each for them, plus another $20 for diagnostics. $74. I can find the breakers on-line, will have to purchase a few of them. Can't afford them at that price. So we will take it to her Friday when we mow, get her new outside lights set up and operational. I got her those for her birthday. Either 88 or 89 this year. Does pretty well for that age, still on her own. I pray that when it is her time, she just goes to sleep and doesn't wake up, rather than having to go into a nursing home, or wind up drooling all over herself. Hopefully that is a long ways away yet.
Had two Inspections today in Wilber, Czech days, town was busy. Both houses checked out OK, but one had a loaded AK-47, a 12 gauge riot shot gun, and a loaded .38 Smith and Wesson handgun in the closet. Biker. Nice guy. Not. Made it back and finally made it home. Taking a break for a few minutes before writing reports. I have two Inspections tomorrow as well, suppose to go to a Adult Leader Meeting tomorrow night. Not sure about that. Don't want to be on this committee for Scouts, but it sounds like I am being pulled into it. I will at least talk with the guy, but will probably decline. My plate is way too full as it is. Well, best scram, get some reports typed. At least it is supposed to be 20 degrees cooler tomorrow, none of this 100 degree stuff....later....
There was a lot of good fellowship to be had, everyone got along, and no one killed each other. No one capsized, everyone stayed reasonably dry. We got in a lot of fishing, learned a lot about dehydrated food, the vast majority of which was really good. We saw Elk, Moose, deer, and a lot of Eagles... I think most of them would do it again, despite the difficult challenges that go along with something like this....
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