My Texas Dream Garage

[Nighttrain]

^^^ Thanks for the caution. Its a 34K GVW truck so I am just under that. Little did I know the hassles of getting a USDOT # and all other requirements for being over 26K. I have to have on file my own application for hire, a pee test and then be placed in a drug testing program. Now I know why all the other guys here are using 26K GVW trucks and hauling just 2000 gallons. (they are over loaded w/ 2000 gal)

You don't know any water pump installers down there do you? The comapny up here is so far behind. The pump will be a berkley PTO driven with air controls.

 

[shinertx]

Did somebody say shiner bock( shiner native ) you dont mind if i steal some of your ideals. I just built a new 60 x 60 x 18 shop, i like the way you built your man cave something differnt.

 

[Nighttrain]

Shiner ^^^ run with it. The more Texas themed shops on here the better. Get some pictures of your shop up here soon.

 

[bluejeep]

Nightrain, maybe i missed it but where will you get the water from? It should be a good business in your area!

 

[burrage1]

Just read the entire thread. Good luck with the business venture, but I am here for the shop and you have given me many great ideas! Thanks...

 

[Nighttrain]

bluejeep - I have a contract with the local water company and one up in Marble Falls Tx. I still am trying to get a variance for the big water company to purchase surface only water from them. The local one mixes their water with well water, which still treated and potable but has more minerals.

burrage1 - Use away, I have sorta side tracked on the garage with this bussiness. After 4 week of the pump company telling me next week I took the truck back yesterday and have found a machine company that WILL do it. The best part is that I went out today and bought a Miller Plasma cutter to cut out some brackets for the piping. Told the old lady its a business purchase and she fell for that. I should have done this business thing a long time ago because getting tools for "The business" is working.

 

[Falcon67]

> I should have done this business thing a long time ago because getting tools for "The
>business" is working.

Now you're getting the "make the rules work your you" thing going. Good documentation is all you need and you'll be good. Keep up with all of it, keep logs, depreciation, etc - can be a hassle but it'll work for you in the long run. If you need startup equipment, review the Section 179 deduction criteria. That's what it's there for.

 

[Nighttrain]

Thanks Falcon for the tip. I hope that over the next year the truck will require certain tools for maintenance. I will not go overboard, I have been buying other tools for the home etc and use my non business $$$ for those. I am documenting those purchases to show that I am not just using business deductions on that. I'll read the 179 section too, I have met with my CPA twice now and need to get back with her before I start making money.

 

[flybefree]

Good idea running your plans by a CPA!

v/r

Shaun

 

[shinertx]

will do, and once again nice shop.

 

[atxgsa]

Hey night train, great garage setup! As to your business, have your documents 10 feet wide and two feet deep so the IRS can see exactly where you made the money, how you spent it and how little you got to keep. They do not believe in creativity... Having spent two years dancing with the IRS taught me these basic things. It is solid to have your accountant on board before you start earning money.

And if necessary are you going to be doing runs to Wimberley in the future?

Cheers,

Darin

 

[Nighttrain]

atxgsa,,, Thanks for the tips, I hope I don't have any run ins with the IRS, but will be ready. My last active duty job besides being a pilot was the logistic officer with a $3m/year budget. Not saying I knew what I was doing at all but I had a great staff that did and they taught me what to look for at least in the military procurement process. A lot of checks & balance and justifications on each purchase.

Wimberley will be in my service area, I hope to do most of my business within 50 miles of dripping springs. For the DOT I have to operate within 150 miles to avoid daily trip/duty logs driving the truck. One thing I have learned is all the requirement of not just a business but the requirements of owning a big truck.

I just dropped the truck off this morning to get the last decals put on and the pump shop is ready to start work monday. Hope to be full on working it by mid next week. I have to weld some brackets this weekend. I will post pictures tonight of the truck.

 

[ODIS]

atxgsa,,, Thanks for the tips, I hope I don't have any run ins with the IRS, but will be ready. My last active duty job besides being a pilot was the logistic officer with a $3m/year budget. Not saying I knew what I was doing at all but I had a great staff that did and they taught me what to look for at least in the military procurement process. A lot of checks & balance and justifications on each purchase.

Wimberley will be in my service area, I hope to do most of my business within 50 miles of dripping springs. For the DOT I have to operate within 150 miles to avoid daily trip/duty logs driving the truck. One thing I have learned is all the requirement of not just a business but the requirements of owning a big truck.

I just dropped the truck off this morning to get the last decals put on and the pump shop is ready to start work monday. Hope to be full on working it by mid next week. I have to weld some brackets this weekend. I will post pictures tonight of the truck.

Wishing you continued success with your venture.

All the best!

Ody.

 

[t4runner]

Great thread, outstanding build.

 

[SpeedinLemon]

I just dropped the truck off this morning to get the last decals put on and the pump shop is ready to start work monday. Hope to be full on working it by mid next week. I have to weld some brackets this weekend. I will post pictures tonight of the truck.

Don't leave us hangin' man....let's see that truck!!

Chris

 

[machine_punk]

Great job on finding a need and filling it (the best way to start a business). Glad to see things are coming together. My wife and I are always on the lookout for business ideas.

M_P

 

[Nighttrain]

Thanks guys, sorry for the delay in pictures. Ill see if I can load some from work, my home computer is not working with me on this. Good news I stopped by the welding shop today, they have the pump installed, they are really working with me on this project unlike the last shop. I dropped off some valves for them and they are thinking it will be done by Friday. The foreman spent about 30 minutes with me making sure everything is how I wanted it from the discharge pipe to the air controler in the cab. They are aldo going to do some other fab work for me with stainless pipe. Thanks for hanging in with me on this. As soon as the truck is operational its on to the bathroom in the shop then the stain on the floor..

 

[ODIS]

Good to read that the H2O hauler is nearly completed and that all the hoops have been jumped. Wishing you all success.

Ody.

 

[Nighttrain]

Drum roll please! Introducing my new hobby/side job.

After 8 months of dealing with installer and parts etc etc.. I have the PTO pump installed and am now in business. Hope this pays for itself.

I am pumping water into my rain gutter. These are all attached to a 30K gallon tank out back. We are only on rain water here, no city water or well. Lot of folks in these parts are on rain water also. SO no rain means they have to call for water to be trucked in.

 

[tinbender 66]

Congrats! That's a nice looking rig. I hope you knock 'em dead!

 

[HOTFR8]

Hope the new business works well for you. To date I have never needed to have water carted in but have had the fear of it being carted out, yes stolen.

 

[kald]

Very Nice Rig!! Have you taken axle weights when loaded yet to verify weight distribution?

 

[shopnut]

I am pumping water into my rain gutter. These are all attached to a 30K gallon tank out back. We are only on rain water here, no city water or well. Lot of folks in these parts are on rain water also. SO no rain means they have to call for water to be trucked in.

I find it interesting that people (including yourself) can live on rainwater alone without some backup source (most of the time anyways).

We probably get enough rain here in summer to make it through the entire year (given a very large storage tank), but I never heard of anyone doing it.

Good luck with the new (side) business. I'm sure there will be some happy people seeing you pull up in their drive

 

[jonahbones]

Shopnut I was thinking just the opposite, generally Australia is a lot drier artisan water has a very high mineral content 30000 litres would be a house supply for 5 people for 12 months and 60000 litres desireable for firefighting. All this normally collected from rainwater in rural areas. Water supply for the five major cities are dams in closed catchment areas, however the last drought has shown the necessity of moving to recycled and rain water in urban areas as well.
Interesting how the details of something fundamental varies from country to country.

 

[Leeroy254]

Nice build thread. Good luck with the business.

 

[SpeedinLemon]

So how about an update on the truck and new biz? Hope its keeping you as busy as you want to be. All the mechanicals and pumps working as planned?

Chris

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Hey Nighttrain, nice looking rig! Love the logo on the back of the tank; might be time to update the GJ avatar.

 

[flybefree]

Great looking truck...you did it right, which comes as no suprise to anyone who has read your build thread.

Sounds like a really good buisness idea...ole Zig would approve.

Shaun

 

[Nighttrain]

Quick update, business has been good! Several 11hr:59min days hauling water. All is working great up till the point I got a roadside inspection. Just a little over-weight. I knew I was close and had only been putting in 2000 gal of water.

What I did not take into consideration was the residual water that had not been pumped out. (tank is a 2350 gal) Everything else checked out. I was glad to get a good weight on the truck though. Front axle was just at 12K # which is right where it is needed. I learned that even though the truck is built for 22700# on the rear axel the State of Texas limits all singlet axles to 20000#.

I have been working with my insurance to get a bond to send in to Texas to get an overweight permit to allow for 22000# on the rear. This will give me my 2000 gallon water load I need. I did remove the 100 gallon aux fuel tank and pump. I still may need to remove the side boxes on the truck. I really like the look but I estimate I have 800 lbs of steel just hanging on there. The weight of the flat bed is pushing 7000lbs. I under estimated that big time. The gooseneck and pintle hitch back plates are 1". I would hate to cut those out to lighten the load but may need too. If I do I know now where I will be getting the steel for a welding table from.

A couple of the other trucks here were pulled over also and did not fare as well, they are under 26000 gvw trucks so do not have CDLs etc. With 2000 gal of water they are over 26k GVW. So kinda good for me as my truck goes to 34700 GVW. And I have done all the USDOT/TXDMV and CDL route.

Between my real job and now this not much in the garage. I bought a jib crane (another thread) and will document the install on here. I think I have narrowed down the location of the install to my lean-too outside. I won't have to cut any cement, just dig the hole and install. I will also be able to run an air line for the hoist.

Well I have four deliveries today so better get going.

I am hoping to start my bathroom completion in the shop here in the next month, also have my sons bedroom to finish out in the house. Been waiting for the weather to cool down on that since its up stairs.

Thanks for all the good words!

 

[Wingnut65]

Great update, Night Train. Interesting learning about other parts of life that I don't deal with every day - water delivery and trucking. Like shopnut said, we get so much water that we probably could last all year for water supply and possibly irrigation as well, but that much storage would be huge.

Reminds me of an college cafeteria we designed at the University of the Virgin Islands that had a full cistern instead of a basement. I can only imagine how much water they could store.

Keep up the good work. The shop will be there when you have a break.

 

[Bronson]

Good luck with the new business, You will T. Boone looking over His shoulder!
I just protested My water bill this morning, $111 for 1 month. I live alone, I bathroom, stack washer and drier , and a 500 gallon collector on My shop. No way I used the amount they say I did. I have replaced all of My supply side water lines over the last few years, and quit watering My yard months ago, it is dead and gone. I have no leaks, anywhere, so, where is that water going?
If this drought continues, I dont know what will happen to Us. Keep praying for rain!

 

[W_A_Watson_II]

I love the trucks looks as well, but you might end up building a scaled back tank bed to get the weight where you want it, and devise a way to swap between the current bed and a bed/tank set up depending on the work you are performing. Good luck and look forward to updates on the garage and truck.

 

[93fim5]

Just read through the entire thread and love it! Any info on your rain water collection system and holding tank? Been building a pole barn south of Post, Texas for hunting and water is an issue as well in that area. Really curious in your filtration and pump setup and any suppliers. Glad to see another Texan!

 

[Nighttrain]

Bronson Ill bring you a load of water, lets see we can trade the new british sports car for it.

Wingnut, not many places can you sell water, but here its has more value than gold I guess.

WA Watson, I hate to cut up this bed on the truck and just cannot swing $5000 for a lighter one right now. I think I can can cut most off without causing too much damage. I will keep all the parts to re-weld on at a later date.

93 I will do a post on my rainwater system, there are several on here that have interest and or collect also. Before moving here (central Texas) I had never heard of rainwater collection for a sole source of water. Its a neat system and is so much better than well water. Plus I am making money right now when it does not rain.

 

[don long]

Nighttrain
Was just thinking about you so I looked you up too see whats new.
I remembered all of those electrical outlets high on your wall and was wondering if any neon was shinning in the shop yet

I see you have been busy with your new business venture
so you have an excuse for not working on the shop

good luck with that
just remember that life is too short not to spend time in the garage

take care and I'll be checkin in
Don

 

[Nighttrain]

^^^^ Thanks Don, No neon just yet but am looking for some real soon. I am trying not to just go with the beer theme since I have some young kids and I just don't want to advertise it as much. I do like the Blue Moon neon and I am trying to look for anything Texas or tropical. Also any car related will be going up.

Thanks for checking in, I do plan on spend more time in the garage besides working on the truck.

Thanks again Don.

 

[kansas cat]

Been a long time since we heard anything here...hows the truck and the shop coming along?

 

[Aussie Mike]

Just read through the whole thread. Some great ideas in there. I love your office area and work benches.

Cheers

Michael

 

[machine_punk]

Yes! How are thinks going with the water tanker business? Any new stuff in the shop?

 

[J-man67]

The end of the thread...SO SAD! Everything this far has turned out great. GOOD JOB! Love the new truck and business. Thats something I really wouldn't mind doing as I love to drive and I have ALWAYS been addicted to water. Started when I was young, haha. Always yelled at to STOP TOUCHING THE HOSE!! When I didn't have a hose, I would go natural and use my very own...maybe that's what they were always yelling at me for ??? Anyway, the garage/shop/office came out GREAT. Well thought out and executed. ENJOY!!!