Dan Antion

From Mars with a Trailer – #1LinerWeds

 

The park is looking like fall.

About 15 years ago, I switched from driving a pickup truck to an SUV. Still wanting the option to carry 4’x8’ sheet goods and the occasional pile of lumber, I purchased a utility trailer. Having a trailer isn’t a perfect solution, but it works fairly well. I bought a small SUV this summer, and one of the features I ordered was a hitch-receiver so I could tow my utility trailer.

Last week, when I was in Boston for a couple of meetings, the casual conversation turned to home repairs. I was describing the project to replace the various steps and decks that I have been working on. I mentioned having to obtain a significant number of 12′(3.6m) pressure-treated 2x8s, and one of my friends asked how I managed to fit those in my trailer.

I explained that, while my trailer can be configured to carry 12’ lumber, my wife suggested that the $35 delivery fee was actually quite a bargain. It would save time and eliminate the need for me to pick and load the lumber I would later have to unload. My friend commented:

“We all need a little more estrogen from time to time.”

I’m not certain the desire to hitch up a trailer, drive it to the lumber yard, put on work gloves, load the trailer, secure the load with cargo straps, staple on a red flag and drag it home is a male thing. It is a new car, and I haven’t yet had the opportunity to drag my trailer around.  That said, I did appreciate my wife’s ability to consider the larger picture in this case. I can use the trailer to haul some brush to the dump.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, I’d encourage you to join in on the fun. You can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.

Canadian Geese, but heading north at the moment. Maybe they’re going to Dunkin Donuts before the long flight south.
“If we end up playing soccer, I can defend this goal.”
A blustery day.
Some color and some leaves on the ground.
“The field is in pretty good shape. The wind is drying it out nicely.”
“You playing first base? I thought we were playing soccer.”
“I need to talk to these guys.”
“Sorry, buddy. I don’t toss peanuts outside of our yard.”
The park is looking like fall.
We’re walking earlier so the sun is still on the rise.
Fall colors are beautiful.
Most of the leaves are off this tree, but the ones that are left are pretty.
I do like the red trees.

82 comments

    • Ha ha! Two trucks? And a trailer? Now I’m jealous! We won’t even talk about the welder. I miss my truck several times a year, but I don’t need one. This trailer works for normal loads. I think there were 28 or 29 boards, delivery was a better idea.

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  3. The Editor is a smart cookie and Maddie would have told you the same thing – Less time loading and hauling wood, more time to finish the project so the furry one can enjoy her newly remodeled porch. Totally worth the $35.

    I envy the red leaves in your neighborhood. I don’t see much of that in the city…the majority of the plantings are yellow and gold if you don’t count the sumac. I would like to take a fall ride, but the weekend weather has been less than stellar. Maybe Sunday…

    Have a great Wednesday, Dan.

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    • Thanks Mary. We don’t see a lot of red trees, but they stand out so well. I like when the leaves start to fall, and you can see the sun and the colored leaves and start to see the branches. It’s one of those looks I’ve tried to capture, but pictures never quite work. I hope you get some nice weather this weekend.

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  4. I think wanting to bring home your own lumber is a male trait. I suggest delivery quite often, especially for shingles, but my other half never agrees. Of course we have an 8 foot bed pickup so it’s s not easier, but still heavy.

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    • Judging from the crowd at the bar last week, it’s a guy-thing. I can’t remember having anything delivered when I had a truck, but I certainly should have opted for delivery a few times. Shingles are the worst, but bags of concrete are almost as bad.

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  7. I tend to be on the side of not paying for delivery for anything, but it makes sense here. I don’t have a pickup but when my husband suggested we could get me a smaller, more fuel-efficient truck, I opted for another van instead. There’s always something to haul. 😉

    I like those fall colors you have today.

    janet

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    • I thought about a van, Janet. I’m always amazed at how much stuff my brother can get into his. But, I wanted something smaller and a little sportier. The trailer works pretty well, and delivery from this lumberyard is a nice option. They are almost as picky as I am when choosing what boards to bring.

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  8. From Mars with a Trailer – #1LinerWeds
    No Facilities

    About 15 years ago, I switched from driving a pickup truck to an SUV. Still wanting the option to carry 4’x8’ sheet goods and the occasional pile of lumber, I purchased a utility trailer. Having a trailer isn’t a perfect solution, but it works fairly well. I bought a small SUV this summer, and one of the features I ordered was a hitch-receiver so I could tow my utility trailer.

    Last week, when I was in Boston for a couple of meetings, the casual conversation turned to home repairs. I was describing the project to replace the various steps and decks that I have been working on. I mentioned having to obtain a significant number of 12′(3.6m) pressure-treated 2x8s, and one of my friends asked how I managed to fit those in my trailer.

    I explained that, while my trailer can be configured to carry 12’ lumber, my wife suggested

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. What a great line! And the opposite is also valid: Some women could use a little testosterone. (Or as has been said: “grow a pair!”) But don’t say I said that, I could be tossed out of the “Women Rule” Club. They get discounts, like, everywhere!

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  13. All this talk about trailers and Mars is making me think about making a mulch run. Except we exercise the U portion of SUV. It is not so sporty and a little dusty after the mulch run. And it is part of exercise program. Of course the full bag of mulch lifting usually falls to Mars.

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  14. even with a truck with an 8 foot truck in the family and a small SUV and a trailer, there are times when my husband and I just don’t want to lift the heavy stuff anymore. We will be watching for the delivery truck when I order my new front french doors this spring!!

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  16. Hmmm, I’m on Team Delivery almost all the time now. You get older, you get wiser, you have a back you’d rather not throw out of whack… things change. Love the squirrel on the post. Nice photo

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  18. In my younger days I was vehemently anti- fees. If it was something I could do then why on earth would I pay someone else to do it for me?? With years came wisdom and your wife’s right — sometimes the cost/benefit works out in favor of paying the fee.

    My two cents? We could use more estrogen input in all areas of life. There’s a lot to be said for well rounded perspectives.

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    • When you factor in time and gas and the aches and pains that will surely come, delivery isn’t a bad option. It’s a flat fee, so it’s expensive for small amounts. But 28-29 12’ boards, it was worth it.

      As for everything else, you’re probably right.

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  19. Terrific one-liner! And my hat’s off to the Editor for realizing delivery, this time, would be much more practical. Never underestimate the power of estrogen Dan!!!

    The fall colors in your area are beautiful. Not so colorful here yet, and, like you, I’m wondering how many leaves will remain on the trees after this approaching storm hits.

    I hope those birds figure out which game they want to play before they are rained out!
    🐾Ginger 🐾

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    • Thanks Ginger. I’m learning to listen to her ideas. It’s only been 36 years 😏

      I’m sitting outside with Miss Maddie and leaves are falling as the storm moves in.

      I think the birds would prefer it if the town stopped spraying for bugs. They need to eat

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  20. The inclination to do-it-all-myself (“the hard way”) is definitely a male thing. After nearly two years of living in a house that still needs the interior painted, I suggested taking part of a recent minor windfall and hiring a professional painter. Hubby’s response (despite his age, bad back, bad neck, and episodes of vertigo) was, “We don’t need to hire anyone. I can do it.” I suggested that I could help, and was refused. I refuse to nag. Hopefully, that painting will somehow get done sometime in the next 10 years.

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  23. Those birds are definitely headed to DD, and that red tree is gorgeous. :-) Now, we’ll get to the meat of the post – truck, utility trailer, or delivery. These are all good options, but after wanting a truck for several years and now having one for two – I vote TRUCK. With my silver hair and big smile, I can always get someone to load it for me at the lumber yard or box store, and then I don’t have to bend over to take it off. I drive my truck on the grass to wherever my project is and work from the tailgate. I love my truck. I’m like Charleton Heston – “I’ll give you my truck when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.” :-)

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    • I think you’re right about the birds.

      I knew you would vote in favor of your truck ;-) I do like my trailer for sheet goods. I can back it into the garage, lift the sheets out with a hoist, pull the trailer out and put saw horses under the sheets. Every project doesn’t work this way, but when it does, it saves a lot of wear on my back. I can imagine you working off the tailgate.

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  27. I guess we do sometimes need a little more estrogen, lol! Or brains? Totally agree it’s only intelligent to “save” the newness of your SUV as long as possible.
    Like the collage-look on your blog -does it go with you blog theme, or do you put in a certain code? Love all the Fall trees!

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    • Thanks, I’m glad you like the look. The collage is just the WordPress gallery option. They are still trying to get that working right for the new editor, but the option is still available. Sometimes, the best choice is the smartest one – sometimes, it’s not clear.

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    • Thanks Deborah. If you have a truck, or a trailer, there is a strong desire to use them. Sometimes, it’s better to wait for the delivery. I get it.

      The park is very pretty this time of year. I like the row of trees that all turn in unison, especially as the sun is rising later.

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  30. I think this is win win. You get the truck to use for most jobs, and you don’t have to load and haul all the heavy wood. A wise editor! The wind was howling yesterday, but we still have plenty of beautiful leaves to admire.

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    • That’s a good question, Glynis. I think women are more able to separate what’s practical from what they want to do. At least in some cases. I’ve seen this with programmers through my career. Guys get focused on an answer, where women will more easily let go of one answer if something better comes along.

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  32. Uh, around here, anything that can be delivered SHALL BE DELIVERED! The Mister is the same and I’m not questioning his manhood.
    I love your fall photos — we haven’t peaked yet :)

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