hello everyone! the MAR/APR trip was completed this past weekend - 20,000 miles plus in 5 weeks - I hit more weather than I have run into in a long time but I had nothing more than a few hours delay getting through it - I had another burnt piston in the 454 engine so I am taking a drastic step - I am purchasing a VERY low mileage used engine (70k miles on a 1995 engine) - this engine will be picked up in a few days, rebuilt, and then installed in the van/RV - that will let my mechanic totally dismantle and rebuild the troublesome engine without delaying my trips - in the future I will be able to have a freshly rebuilt engine ready to be installed at a moments notice - that means I can pull into Austin on a Friday and leave Monday with a fresh engine installed! - having a back up tow vehicle AND a back up engine and transmission for the main vehicle means I will eliminate another potential delay maker for transport trips - as far as I know I am the only small livestock transport service that has gone to this extreme to provide reliable transport
I am taking reservations now for the JUN/JUL trip - most likely I will start with a quick run to the west coast to pick up a LARGE load going CA to VA - from VA I will then follow a route determined by the reservations in place at that time - even if your needs are tentative please get with me so I can have an idea of what service I might need to provide - keep in mind that gasoline prices are going to continue to rise so transport prices will never be lower than they are now - my fee plan fluctuates with gas prices but if you crunch the numbers it is easy to prove to yourself that I can do your transport cheaper than you can do it yourself without all the hassle and time involved for you to do it! I need name, address, phones, email, local directions, and a description of the animals for the pick up and name, address, phones, email, and local directions for the drop off to be able to do final planning I do not monitor the groups closely so please reply through my private email or through my TravelWithRonK Yahoo group I will be going on Social Security in July - I expect that this additional income will allow me to reduce my transport schedule to three trips per year rather than the current four - four trips per year is BRUTAL on me and the equipment! - I have been doing this pace for 6 plus years so I am looking forward to a slowdown but that does mean that my trips are more likely to be heavily loaded from start to finish - early reservations will become even more important on future trips -- questions? Ron - private email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
