Game plan

Think of it as the reverse of what you have seen gas prices do...when the price of oil goes down eventually we saw relief at the pump but it took a while...some little blip happens like higher barrel price or a refinery goes off line and they have no problem cranking up the price as quick as they can. Steel market takes a crap (less demand) and prices drop like a rock...it is going to take some time to see some significant relief at the steel pump like it or not.

Yes some have seen a slight increase in steel price and hopefully it will continue but in order for me to get back to where I was less then a year ago my price is going to have to jump over 150% and I just don't see that happening in the next 6 months to a year. My Buyer from the yard I use calls me about once a month to keep me updated on prices so that is what I'm basing this post on...take it for what it's worth.

And the next truck you buy Devin, do yourself a favor and get one with an 8 ft bed and leave the 6 footers for the guys that get trucks to drive and not actually use them for work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by junkfreak

What do you base this on?
We like facts. To me steel has never been "high" priced. Iam already seeing price increase.
So if you got some solid info please share.

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Read the last two issues of scrap magazine.

and yes we will/are seeing a small increase because the Chinese new year ended
increasing the exports, domestic markets have to match. But that maybe offset by Obama vetoing Keystone pipeline.

Threat of war will not have a great effect on the steel market, as most modern weapons are aluminum and silicon(missiles) the US army has more tanks then crews and have begged congress to stop buying M1s. shipbuilding just is not on any ones mind at all as the US clearly has the most capable Navy in the world In short there is no reason for the steel market to go up... So it wont, unless someone sees something on the future others have missed expect Steel to stay about 1/2 october 2014s price

You can rent Uhaul trailers at 16. I know that for a fact. Maybe you could rent one for the day and double your payload.

There's always a way to buy something. But, not knowing the circumstances, I won't make a judgement.

A trailer could be registered to someone else. My F150 that I bought at 16 is registered to my father still. Of course, we get along. If that's not the case here, you may not want to do that.

I refuse to rent equipment, though. The last time we looked at renting a car, I bought a Buick instead. Three years later, I still own that car and love it! The way I see it, a Uhaul trailer will cost about $50 (At least- they always want to force "extra" days, it seems). Save a little, and own something.

Owning is always better than renting for this kind of stuff.

C. Dream- The number on that piece probably related to the soil they claimed to have mapped it to. The USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) which used to be the Soil Conservation Service has soil maps for most of the U.S. (Alaska is pretty light) at various scales but its sample based, obviously they couldn't have taken cores and such every whatever measurement you want to give it distance. So your wet spot may actually be that type of soil or they think they know enough characteristics to think it is. Still lots of interpretation involved. But the USDA doesn't have any regulatory enforcement unless you're signed up for one of their programs.

But the individual states can regulate as much as they feel like unless and until someone takes them to court and wins. South Dakota is pretty light on regulation but from what I've heard about MN they have lots of rule writers on the payroll. I know reading their trapping regs (which they don't allow non-residents to do unless that person owns land in the state) a guy just about needs a 30 foot tape measure in his trapping kit (certain distance for this, another distance for that). Lots of bureaucrats sitting around conference tables writing rules...

I guess if you got rid of them by just moving your junkers into the woods a bit and they haven't been back, you're probably doing good. I wonder how many Twin City burbs have laws against dumpster prowling???

Devin- Sorry for hijacking your thread

Devin,

I think your title says it all; it is really the answer to your own question...Reevalute your situation.

I will on comment with a recomendation as I had/have a similar ongoing situation. I use a 20 yard trailer to haul junk/store scrap. My problem is actually opposite of yours. Instead of people stealing; they try to dispose of things into my trailer. This is fine and good when its metal but more times than not, its boxes of old stuff, old tvs, furniture, general garbage, things of no value. I have a rolling tarp and locks on the trailer but sometimes people still huck stuff on top of the tarp anyways. I know have my tarp chained and 99% of the time would be morons don't mess around because it looks too hard to mess with.

Here is what i would do if I was you... You can try a tarp with bike chains but tarps can be cut. I cannot see thieves not making a bunch of noise raiding your metal dumpster but I digress... If you really want to stop them; save your steel sheet peices and drill holes and run a chain through across the top of the top or use things like chain link fencing or anything that takes up space- flatten down duct work, run chains through the pcs on top securly and lock them together or to the sides of the container. Unlock the locks when it is ready to be picked up.

All else fails chain everything together and make em work for it.

If you cannot catch em...outwit em.

Russell