[MTB98]

I am considering replacing the deck on my car trailer as it has a few bad spots. I haven’t figured out exactly what I need yet do to the weather and the trailer being covered with snow and ice. Looks like it’s going to be $40 plus per board. I think it’s decked with 20’ long 2x8s. .

You might look around for someone that mills lumber and get some pricing from them. You’d probably get better lumber and pricing along with keeping your money local.

 

[MTB98]

Maybe if it paid decent money and had decent hours they could have drivers 🤔

What’s your definition of decent money and hours?

 

[MTB98]

A few weeks ago I was looking at ES pallet forks on Ebay for $650.
I should have pulled the trigger then.
They're relisted today for $825.

Check their website, still showing $650 today.

John Deere Quick Attach Pallet Forks | Express Steel Inc

See additional information below for specifications.

expresssteelinc.com

 

[MTB98]

As usual, bad times for savers.

Always wondered what will/would happen to those of us who watch their "nest egg" of money they've saved for a rainy day eroded to junk bond status.

And that includes 401ks and other work savings.

I think it’s going to be bad times for everyone.
Everyone will end up on the same level playing field, which is below the average of today. That’s the whole idea. Unless you are one of the really super wealthy elites it’s not going to begood. Could be by design, I dunno?

 

[MTB98]

It's times like this that I put on my tinfoil hat and question the "free market" economics behind this.

Nothing would choke the economy like a death spiral in housing starts.

Which is exactly what would happen if lumber prices would have stayed inflated.

Same thing as if interest rates would spike to slow down free/cheap money. Neither of those things will be allowed to happen so we will see inflation continue at a higher than normal rate.
I am glad to see lumber prices get to an almost reasonable level. I’ve been postponing a couple small outdoor projects due to the expense.

 

[MTB98]

I bought some reasonably priced lumber before Christmas for a chicken coop project. I have not looked at prices recently so just checked the Menards website for 2x4x8. Now $6.49! I think that’s about double what I paid.

 

[MTB98]

Fuel costs are up, labor costs are up, everything needed to run and maintain a business are up, Eastern Europe is on fire with no signs of improving soon, the dollar has been devalued. Home improvement projects and home building seems to be in the decline. Buckle up, we’re heading into some turbulence.

 

[MTB98]

Mostly because people are willing to pay the high prices.

Same reason vehicles sell above sticker price. It’s the gotta have it now mentally . Seems to me now is not the time to buy anything you can put off for a while. If gas prices keep going up it probably won’t be long before the used market gets flooded with pickups as people move to smaller more fuel efficient vehicles. We have seen this before.

With gas prices rising I think we will see a lot of folks switching to EVs. There aren’t a lot of new cars available without waiting so some people will be stuck with their gas guzzler for awhile. It will be interesting to see if the prices come down on trucks like they did in ‘08 and small cars and EVs increase in price even more.

 

[MTB98]

It will be interesting to see. It's not like you can just run out and buy the EV equivalent of the vehicle you are currently driving as most EVs are sub-compacts.

I also suspect that not everyone has the extra capacity to install a home charger in their existing load center. With all the supply chain issues I'd be surprised if even buying a decent home charging station is without issues.

A lot of the EVs are normal sedan sized or crossover suv sized, not many are small econoboxes.
The charging can be handled by a normal dryer or electric range plug and breaker. Even a regular 15A 120V plug will work but be slow.

 

[MTB98]

There’s also the working vehicles like mine. I’m not going out and buying a lightning to haul tools and fuel

If you’re not already in line for a Rivian or Lightning you’re going to be waiting a long time for one.
Guys (or gals) that truly need to have a truck for regular tasks are going to be in a tough spot. Most of them are working to earn money which result in more inflation as they raise prices for services to cover fuel costs.

 

[MTB98]

Same here on both accounts.

In fact…I’ve never seen one of these new fangled electric cars in person yet. Guess they are only in urban and very populated areas.

So my solution for the time being while keeping my beloved pickup is to change my routine and go to town once every 3 weeks instead of 2. But I haven’t seen gas prices go up like everyone talks about - yet…

You’ve probably seen them and not even noticed. Tesla’s look different because their front end is solid, no grill. Other makes look like their ICE counterparts.

 

[MTB98]

Are you referring to plug-in Hybrids? I was referring to true EVs. I just took a quick glimpse at the websites for Ford, Chevy, GMC, Honda and Toyota and while I see a lot of vehicle sizes and offerings for plug-in hybrids, I saw very few offerings for true EVs. Ford has the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning and GMC has the Hummer EV but everything else is compacts like the Chevy Bolt or Honda Insight. Toyota has nothing really (I'm a Highlander guy). I realize there are other brands but this was just a quick glimpse of what came to mind.

A 120V home charging option, while certainly doable, would not be practical for a lot of folks who would depend on their EV for daily transportation.

If you are going to be driving an EV daily, I doubt anyone will be running an extension cord out into the driveway from their electric dryer plug (gas dryer folks like me are out of luck).

Chevy Bolt is discontinued. The MachE is one of the more popular models. And Tesla’s are the best selling EV and they’re not small.
I’m a gas dryer guy who converted the dryer wiring to 240V garage plug😬.
I wasn’t meaning that people would drag a cord from the laundry room out to their driveway, just emphasizing that EVs don’t require some voodoo electrical system to charge at home. Most if not all homes have plenty of capacity to run an EV charger.

 

[MTB98]

I’ve seen several different discussions about New England electricity rates rising quickly. What’s going on with the prices up there?
It’s not cheap pouring $4-5 gas in a truck either.

 

[MTB98]

I agree that Teslas arent matchboxes but I would never want to go from my Highlander to a Tesla sedan. My Highlander doesn't always have enough cargo space and forget about my landscape trailer.

Tesla’s have a 5000 tow rating so you can still use your landscape trailer!
Cost to add charging would vary on each situation and owners capabilities.