What are we going to use for trucks?

Date 03-10-2009 03:51

I am sure that Toyota and Nissan will be able to put something together and give you a better truck. It won't be too hard if you have been driving Chevys. :-)

By Oregon Jake (**)

Date 03-10-2009 04:25

I'd drive a 1 ton or bigger Toyota or Nissan... if it came with a big diesel, a bullet proof automatic, and 6500# payload. Right now the big 2009 Toyota Tundra has a 1580# payload. With a good welding generator, tools, a rack, bottles, tool boxes, and sticks of iron on top it would either turn into a lowrider or pop a permanent wheelie. Lots of jobs I hit require diesel powered equipment, no exceptions.

I like Toyotas. I have a newer 4X4 Tacoma for my commuter and it's built pretty well. Made in California too.

By CWI555

Date 03-10-2009 14:34

I'd rather push a chevy than drive a toyota.

By BryonLewis (****)

Date 03-10-2009 15:30

Why?

By RonG

Date 03-10-2009 19:55

Why would you even ask why?

By BryonLewis (****)

Date 03-10-2009 20:29

Toyota is not going bankrupt and there is a reason. They know how to make not only good vehicles but good business decisions.

By RonG

Date 03-11-2009 01:26

Give me a break! Watch the evening news. That sounds like some of these folks who will not vaccinate the kids because they heard some where it may cause Autism. Look a little deeper than the end of your nose. Ford, GM and Chrys have done more for you than you will ever know.

Just like every one who bad mouths the UAW would turn down all the benefits they acquired by going thru some very periless and difficult times. I said AQUIRED by collective bargaining. But of course most every one talking it was there and they would be knowing what working conditions were like back then.

I bet most of them could not even hold on for 1 full shift even knowing there were several very hungry men just out side the door waiting for you to drop or slip up.

Well it looks like it may come full circle and you may well get a good taste of what brought about strong unions and solidarity.

There's and old saying about History repeating its self and it looks like we may get to see it. Just pray you don't wind up in a "BUSHVILLE" tent city some where.

Say what you will but be aware, if not for organized labor there would only be LABOR and very few of you understand that concept. Don't try to deny it, I read this Forum and it's pretty self explanatory.
You are all entitled to your preference because you are a citizen of the USA but before you go killing off a few million peoples lively hood consider the consequences. The less people with spending money the deeper this thing will go and it may pop up on your door step next.

By ryan gaspard (**)

Date 03-11-2009 02:22

for your info, i have a grandson that took 6 shots when he was 3 years old 4 days later he started have seizure's, ran all kinds of test everything came back negative,he continues to have seizures, now the doctors say it could be the preservatives in the shoots that cause the seizures. so i would be scared to have my kids vaccinated to,and he is not the only one in this age group with this problem. he just turned 6 years 2 weeks ago. he stayed on life support for 5 days and was in hospital for 17.

By RonG

Date 03-11-2009 03:31

Ryan, I am truly sorry about your Grandchild. I have a few of them and thank my lucky stars every day they are ok.
I do believe though that your case may be something like some kids being allergic to Peanuts or Dairy products. Not every one is but for some, just a smell can be too much. I am sorry for that analogy also, I just feel the alternative maybe even worse.

The AMA does not know as much as they like to think they do but they know more than the rest of us.

When I was a kid they lined us up and inoculated against every thing possible and wiped out a lot of child hood maladies. But as the old saying goes "No good deed goes unpunished" . Maybe it is just luck of the draw for some children but I believe over all it's worth the chance.

That said, my real hang up is that so many people let History and the lessons learned fly right over their heads.
That's why we (our economy) is in the mess we are in today. We made exactly the same mistakes EXACTLY the same as the 1st time a few generations ago even though we passed legislation to prevent it. But who ever thought a bunch of "Smartest Guys in the room" would find away around it.

Okay that's the norm even where I work we get a new CEO every 2 to 5 years and we have to make all the same mistakes over again and again with each new CEO. At least 4 times that I witnessed.

I don't mean to talk down to any one, I just wish some would think about how things came to be the way the are (I do not mean the economy) just our life style for one thing. It did not just happen, a lot of people paid a very dear price to give us our way of life and I don't think it (they) deserve be throw out with the wash water.
Sorry about the rant.

By Marsh Welding (**)

Date 03-11-2009 02:59

AMEN BROTHER!!! Im IBEW 45 days away from strike or lock out but id never work any other way

By Cactusthewelder (*****)

Date 03-11-2009 15:57 Edited 03-11-2009 20:05

I was part of Organized crime I mean labor for over 20 years. Sorry but I beleive in the right to work. But then again Where would we be without the Mafia ? Because thats where it(Organized labor) all started. I make more now than I ever did as union Labor and I AM smart enough to do my own contracts and I make my own deals. AND BELIEVE THIS. I have far more benefits now than I did then.

By RonG

Date 03-12-2009 14:08

Catus, I have no doubt about any thing you said and I know you are very reputable.

But, if every person or just every Welder had you're ambition and qualifications you're success story would not be as outstanding or you would have had a much greater struggle (if you can imagine that) to get where you are now.

I would be willing to bet you have had to put in an incredible amount of time achieving your success and paid some pretty dear price for it at times also.

Like they say, "If it was easy anyone could do it". Fortunately for you there are plenty of Welders who only care about earning a descent paycheck for a descent days work.

When corporations get big they hire some one to make things good for the investors with plenty of profit to go around.

Around for the INVESTORS he could care less about how it is done he only cares that it gets done and he keeps his job. If he appears to worry to much for the employees than the employer guess what. They (the investors) will replace him with some one more suitable to the concerns.

My only real point is that the UAW, GM, Ford & Chry are not things they are people just like you and the rest of us. Some trying to claw their way to the top and some just trying to hold on to what they got.

I would never invest in a Japanese auto mobile for the simple reason their Government subsidized their industry to break in to our market. In my opinion and observations they came here and spent a great deal of time studying our products and manufacturing techniques and were able to see flaws the availed out of growing a business from scratch. They were able to avoid them plus find new niches in the market they could slid into.

Just like raising a family, them kids don't come with "OWNERS MANUALS" so you do the best you can and try to learn from your mistakes, Problem is when the kid gets older and you got wiser--- well just try to turn a teenager around sometime. Better yet wait till they got kids of their own and try to tell them how to raise them,

All I am saying is some folks wishing for the "Big-3" to fail could be wishing disaster upon them self's.

Damn the older I get more I ramble. Sorry.

By Cactusthewelder (*****)

Date 03-12-2009 15:23

RonG
You are right. They did see flaws in our system and they capitalized on our mistakes. And you are right about the prices I have paid to be where I am. All buisness is the same. By that I mean, I know that if I show flaws in what I do then there is someone in line to try and do it better or different. So.. I spend those countless hours and I pay the high price to MAKE SURE I dont slip. I take care of my people the very best I can (and plenty of them will read this and I am sure they will tell you the same) Those INVESTORS you spoke about are just like the BA or BM in your hall. Their pockets are getting FAT. And every union member knows it. I do hate it for the workers and I feel for them. BUT, anytime you let a couple of greedy people speak , negotiate,and bargin for thousands more, there will be problems. The Union is still organized crime. I used to own a company in St.Louis. I was signatory to the Ironworkers there. More than once I have sat in a shady restraunt on "the Hill" (The Italian section of St.Louis) and I have passed that envelope full of cash across the table. And when I worked in Chcago Local 1 it was the same story. They (unions) tell who to hire ,when to hire and then if a guy lays down on you ..YOU CAN'T FIRE THEM. Its called Strongarmed. And unions do it everyday. Hence a STRIKE. Its just another form of a strongarm tactic. In otherwords.. If you dont give us what we want then we will cease to work and prevent anyone else for working for you. I am VERY sure that the Big 3 would be more than happy to do away with the UAW. It just so happens that because of their location. Organized crime still makes the rules. The sad part of it is this. Most of the workers have no Idea what goes on behind the closed doors and they have no idea who is really controlling their fate. They just went to work and did as they were told. Then they play follow the leader for 50 years like a trapped rat. The smart ones and the Lucky ones find a way to get out as fast as they can. Once again I feel I am smart enough to speak for myself. And ONLY I will decide who, when and where I hire someone. What to pay them, Hours we work and so on. You get the point. But then again this is just my opinion. And by the way there are TONS of people right here in the US that make a living working for the likes of foreign car makers like Toyota. so when and if you ever have the need for some sort of public aid remember this. There are more than just a few tax dollars paying for that public aid that came from places other than the Big 3

By Sharp Tungsten (**)

Date 03-12-2009 22:09

Cactus not to start a fight about who is right or wrong or union or non. I just want to ask a question. You speak of all this corruption about the unions. And yes I am well aware of the problem but my question is do you think the unions are the only ones doing it? I ask you why Halliberton, KRB, and Bechtel were awarded there contracts in Iraq? You don't think there was some serious palm greasing there? I would also guess a good bit more money than was in your envelope. Lets talk about slugs who are connected to higher ups. Well Cactus you and me both know that happens in unions, non-union, wall street, and hell even the governement and congress. That is the oldest one in the book besides prostitution. I don't mean to argue Cactus just not let it be so one sided.

By Cactusthewelder (*****)

Date 03-12-2009 22:18

Your are VERY VERY right on the money in what you say and I agree 100%. The difference being this. If Me or you or any other Individual greases a palm then we are doing it for ourselves. We are not requiring that thousands of people follow our lead or live with good or bad of what we did or did not do. Halliburton, KRB nor Bechtel requires me to pay them to work. They hire who they want to. They fire when they want to. I am not trying to be one sided. Im just in favor of controlling my own destiny

By Sharp Tungsten (**)

Date 03-12-2009 22:30

Yes Cactus you are also very right and I have always respected you and your posts. I just wanted to clarify the fact the greed and corruption is world wide. Any employer will cut your throat for a dime. All but a few won't. Me and you know this Cactus but some of the guys just getting started will have more luck with a union at first. I believe you have already responded to the Aerotek job add on this site and you responded right. 14.50 an hour for welding? Somebody must have the crack pipe out. Now if those young guys (and that is who will that sort of job for sure) were in a union I would expect 20 dollars for a first year apprentice. After all Cactus the unions do have some of the most highly trained craftsman there are to be had. After all Cactus I believe you went through an apprenticeship just like I have and many other men. We were paid to train and weld. Not many non-union jobs will give a young guy that kind of oppurtunity. Well Cactus I just hope you don't think I am trying to start an argument or bash the non-union workers. I am actually just saying there is good and bad in both sectors of employment that's all.

By Cactusthewelder (*****)

Date 03-12-2009 23:11

You are right. I guess I have just seen to much of what really goes on behind the closed doors. It has left me with a bitter taste. And your right of the fact that I went through the program, I did learn alot. I just wish some people could see the WHOLE picture not just the part they can deposit in the Bank.

By Marsh Welding (**)

Date 03-13-2009 01:53

i think we all do see the big picture. but fot those of us that are union we really appreciate the extra benefits that come with our organized labor. im doing all i can to get away from it. the money is ok but we all would love to be self employed and like 99% of america i wasnt born into money. if it werent for the union wages and benefits i would be stuck at work there forever trying to catch up and never being able to better ourselves. i just bought a Cat dozer and backhoe to start a dirt work business and i weld on the side away from work to help too. but if it werent for the $40000 in benefits my check never sees or the good wage i would never be able to someday be self employed. there are 2 sides to everything but i didnt have sh$t till i got my union job.

By darren

Date 03-15-2009 08:00

there are no perfect systems. "It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried." sir winston churchill
to reject something out of hand because of one or even many flaws may leave us with nothing in its stead.
unions and all systems have their flaws or detractors but they all are in place for a reason. the free enterprise system is held in check by unions and unions are held in check by the free market (gross oversimplification)...they co exist and strike a balance although that balance is constantly shifting.

union or non union is a choice and i am glad there is a choice, what would it be like if there wasn't choice.

the real culprits are not some sleazy money grubbers who need a little extra to do the deal...they will get theirs one way or another ...karma is infallible, but the leaders of major corporations and mega politicians that manipulate markets so as to maximize their own personal gain, the banking systems and its owners...that create these systems so as to enslave us to debt...
ill get off the soap box now...after all i am just an unemployed welder...what do i know about world economics besides my world has been crushed by the latest economics.

i am neither pro union nor anti union but i am pro human rights and neither the free market or unions seem to care much about them.
darren

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 03-13-2009 02:14

This is an honest question, I ask because I don't know. How many really big engineering/construction companies like Halliburton & Bechtel are still in busness in America ? I know there must be fewer than there was 25 years ago.

By Superflux (****)

Date 03-13-2009 02:31

RonG.

"I would never invest in a Japanese auto mobile for the simple reason their Government subsidized their industry to break in to our market."

Whose government subsidized their goverment???

I wish I could not buy ANYTHING made in China, but I would have to do an incredible amount of research and live in Neanderthal conditions to acomplish this!
UGH!, mammoth taste like chicken.

By RonG

Date 03-13-2009 14:22

The Japanese Government did so, as I recall from some news broadcast years ago. I would not be surprised if ours was involved also.

I am not knocking them or their product, I guess they like to eat as well as the rest of us

I grew up in the midst of the big 3 and UAW and even worked for Ford for short while.

Life was good and I was in my early 20's and very irresponsible you might say. Trying to go to school and make my shift. They were very good about arranging shifts to allow me to make classes and like a true ingrate when I finished school I hit the wind.

Never regretted a moment of any of it, but now that I am older and have my a to try to accommodate their personal needs I have a great deal more imprecation for the consideration that was given to me.

Its things like that most people haven't a clue about or even care for that matter. They (Big 3) have a lot of excess baggage that the Japanese never had to deal with starting out.

But now they (Japanese Auto industry) are getting bogged down also because they had a promise of life time employment that's really getting into the faces today. By the way, that is another reason they put plants in the USA. They do not have that obligation here.

By ANDY LARKINS (*)

Date 03-19-2009 16:29 Edited 03-20-2009 16:16

I'm going to ask a question that everyone knows the answer, but may not realize it. Why do we have the large trade deficet with China that we have?

It is a one word answer, Walmart. I use to work for a company that provided forklifts to Presto (coffee makers, fry daddys, and such) plants in Mississippi. All of those plants are closed down and production moved to China because Walmart will tell a supplier what they will pay for a product that goes into their stores and it is up to the manufacture to provide it at that price or else someone else will.

I'm sure the Walmart now a days makes ole Mr. Sam roll over in his grave though! When he ran if if you might remember everthing was made in the USA.

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 03-20-2009 02:56

One word? Look around, every other high volume/low quality retailer is competing for the cheapest goods too. You can bash Walmart all You want, but they are hardly alone.

By ctacker (****)

Date 03-20-2009 21:50

In Sam's days we didn't have free trade with China, and If we did, he would have bought whatever he could from them if it was cheapest!

By FixaLinc (****)

Date 03-10-2009 19:56

Yep they already got some bigger ones but need to be bit heavier yet the howling wind here today would blow a Toyota or Nissan off the road lol.

By Cactusthewelder (*****)

Date 03-11-2009 15:58

Some freinds of mine who are Higher ups in Chrysler tell me that Nissan is in line to buy out the Dodge truck division

By CoonBait (*)

Date 03-11-2009 17:04

correct catus....because toyota is releasing their 1ton diesel next year...good lookn truck...inline 6 bigger than cummins

By BryonLewis (****)

Date 03-11-2009 17:48

I can't wait to see it!!!

By rick harnish (***)

Date 03-11-2009 18:34

Is it gonna have a Cat in it, as rumored?

By Cactusthewelder (*****)

Date 03-11-2009 20:04

If it does I will own one. When are they gonna be availible ?

By RioCampo (***)

Date 03-11-2009 20:37

Hino diesel

By rick harnish (***)

Date 03-11-2009 20:58

Hino? Dang, couple of years ago the rumor was they were trying to team up with Caterpillar. Toyota is known for building a long lasting, well constructed vehicle. Put a Cat in it and it would be a force to be reckoned with on the market. I would still rather drive one of the big three, but man, you would have to give that truck some serious consideration.

By Marsh Welding (**)

Date 03-11-2009 22:31

i heard CAT is discontinuing their over road engines because of the bs emissions issues. that came frome a guy i know that works for a company that supplies cat with parts

By rick harnish (***)

Date 03-11-2009 23:45

I have not kept up with with the current diesel scene for about a year or so, but yeah, that is believable. Shame. We have already lost the 7.3 Powerstroke and now the 5.9 Cummins. Two solid powerhouses that simply couldnt meet new emissions standards.

By Marsh Welding (**)

Date 03-12-2009 00:48

the new 6.7 cummins is a good enginedone up right. get rid of the egr and dpf and theyre a whole different animal. i get as good as mileage with my 6.7 as ive ever got with a 5.9. the 6.7 engine saw a lot of use in ag applications before they ever put it in a dodge truck. the only bad part is you spend 30 to 60000 on a truck then you have to spend another 2500 to get the power and mileage it shouldve left the showroom floor with.

By rick harnish (***)

Date 03-12-2009 02:37

I hear ya

By RioCampo (***)

Date 03-12-2009 01:05

I have heard 2010 is cat's last year for highway engines also.

By FixaLinc (****)

Date 03-12-2009 01:14

If ever had a CAT in a big truck or fire truck and saw what dogs they were with poor performance and what the high upkeep expense was you would understand why quick.

By Marsh Welding (**)

Date 03-12-2009 01:48

company i work for has probably 10000 trucks with cats in them. the only reason they are dogs is because the trucks are specd low horse. we blow up transmissions and rearends all the time but we never have to work on the cats. cats are hard on fuel but they are far from dogs when the right engine is used with the right chassi. we have farm trucks with 430hp cats in them. can outrun about anything

By aevald

Date 03-12-2009 02:11

Hello Eric, last week I went to a training session at Pacific Power Products(Pacific Detroit Diesel). The tech basically echoed your statements about Cat getting out of the over-the-road market and for exactly the reasons that you mentioned, emissions and such. Best regards, Allan

By FixaLinc (****)

Date 03-12-2009 01:15

Well hopefully they can manage it better without a bailout every 3 or 4 years lol.

By Kix

Date 03-10-2009 19:07

I was wondering about the whole parts thing myself. I have an 06 chevy 3/4 ton with a D-max in it. I've already put wheel bearings in it and an axle seal. Who knows what else I will ahve to replace in the next couple of years. You know dam good and well we won't be able to sell these bad boys if you can't get parts for them readily and that scares me.

By Marsh Welding (**)

Date 03-10-2009 21:42

most the main components of your truck are outsourced. worry about those companies going broke first. to any of you thinking toyota or nissan would make a good heavy truck to fit your needs remember that when your company replaces you with imported help. regardless where the truck is assembled the bottom dollar goes overseas. as far as im concerned they need to put the import tax back on to get that sh$t out of here. we need to support our own before we support other countries

By BryonLewis (****)

Date 03-10-2009 22:40

Put the import tax on vehicles that are made here? It might be the best time to invest in Toyota and Nissan. The Big 3 are nearly done, maybe they can start making buggies and covered wagons for those that won't drive Japanese. LOL

By darren

Date 03-11-2009 01:40

what i wonder if they do go belly up do i still have to make my payments?

By Iron Head 49 (***)

Date 03-10-2009 22:31

As long as there is a demand for parts, someone will make them! It's the American way. ;o)

By bruce69 (*)

Date 03-10-2009 22:41

If GM goes under then they will be forced into a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which means they would go into a reorganization, which would probably be good for them financially. It will be bad for its employees/retirees. They will be around because they are too big for the gov't to let fail

By Joseph P. Kane (****)

Date 03-10-2009 23:53

What is wrong with Fords?