…that she just couldn’t work up any interest in money. Of course in her case it’s because she grew up rolling in the stuff. I don’t care about rocks and dirt for the same reason.
But I also, to be honest, never cared about money for its own sake. Sometimes, alas, it seemed to care about me to an abusive degree. One reason I ended up out here.
And sometimes I need to spend some, because necessary things break. A minor but annoying case in point…
That much-faded nylon strap was holding five expensive (there’s that pesky money thing again) sheets of AC plywood against earth’s surly bonds while they were in the Jeep trailer and the Jeep was climbing the Lair’s steep driveway on Saturday afternoon.
And then it wasn’t. Guess I loved it till it was real. Or maybe I just used it till it was broken, but the fact remains that I can’t get along without trailer tie-downs and mine were all in that condition or nearly so. Did the plywood that’s destined to be my finished bedroom floor no good at all when that one broke.
Good ones are expensive, so yesterday I did something I normally disdain to do: I bought some out of one of those “Only 4.99!” bins. The mechanisms are crap, but I don’t really need the mechanisms. There’s nothing wrong with the works of the old tie-downs, it’s just the straps that are shot. So I’ll swap new straps for old, lube up the old works while I’m thinking of it, and be back in business for a minor outlay.
Unfortunately I’m still dipping into my glaucoma meds fund to keep the project bubbling, and I’m getting nastygrams from the ophthalmologist for having canceled my last scheduled appointment. But this morning should help repair a bit of that: After breakfast I’m off over the plateau to talk to some distant neighbors about a paying gig for next week. That’ll use up my gasoline reserves, of course, but that’s what they’re for and the Jerry cans are currently all full.
Onward! Enjoy your holiday. After this meet is over I plan to enjoy mine.
Good luck on the paying gig! Filthy Capitalism still has its place.
As for the ribbons from those cheap tie downs, keep them out of the sun and they might last an entire year. Perhaps someone here can suggest a cheap but more durable alternative material?
Honestly I could get a lot more use from them if I stored them inside the Jeep instead of strapped to the trailer. It just adds so much to the hassle factor. I never use them anywhere but on the trailer.
But even with the UV damage they last a good long while. These are over 10 years old.
https://www.amazon.com/Country-Brook-Design-Polypro-Webbing/dp/B003K12LGM/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499183714&sr=1-4&keywords=nylon+webbing
25 yards of heavy duty webbing for $12.95
Should refill those mechanisms several times. Lots of other options if 1 1/2 inch web is not the right size, but this seemed to be the best deal.
As for storing the straps if you can scrounge up a .50 caliber ammo can the can could be bolted to the outside front of the trailer and the straps plus any tools you think you may need stored inside. This keeps the straps out of the sun and handy as well.
That’s a good idea I hadn’t considered, MJR.
I mounted an ammo box to the front of my utility trailer a while ago. Inside are a set of straps, a spare latch pin and a 6’X8′ tarp with bungee cord for those times when I’m moving things that can be blown out (brush, mulch etc.) or that I don’t want to get wet. Just be careful of one thing, when you mount it remember to leave room for the top to open.
That is a really really good idea, MJR. Thanks
ML beat me to it. Nylon webbing is for sale all over. Of course, there’s the little issue of stitching the stuff together when you replace it on the ratchets.
What I do with my tie downs is roll them up and put them in a sock. Keeps them from tangling themselves up in the storage bag where they live. For the small ones, I actually bought a bag of kids’ socks at WalMart, otherwise a worn adult sock works just fine.
Jed, no need to stitch. Just tie a water knot (Google it if you’re not familiar; basic climbing knot). It cuts down strength by about 50% but for most webbing that’s still more than adequate.
Joel,not fishing for gratitude here,but I donated money to (I thought ) the medical fund. Did you get that,or should we investigate ?
Things are a bit unsettled with Paypal here at the moment, billf. A couple of people did kick in recently (much appreciated) but I only get that information through the person who handles it for me. I can’t even log on to Paypal without crashing my computer. No idea why, but it’s been that way for months. So I can’t look at the account, much less read any accompanying messages. If any contributions are earmarked for one particular use or another I’ve always tried to honor that intent, but right now I’ve no way of knowing. If I’ve inadvertently spent med fund money on building materials, it’ll free up funds I can spend on glaucoma meds in the next week or two.
Joel, does that little Android pad of yours have a browser? If so, that could be a solution to your current Paypal issue.
Alas, that little Android pad refuses to connect to any wi-fi network. You do give me an idea, though – I have a spare laptop squirreled away, and hadn’t considered trying that.