So,
I'm trying to sort out a priority list for equipment purchase. I've already got a good saw and safety gear. My transport rig is my wife's minivan (Sienna LE with 3.5l V6, tow package which incl tranny cooler is installed) and an old but still solid 4x8 utility trailer. My woodsplitter is a standard splitting maul and a bacon & egg breakfast.
A scrounge today from somewhat far (60km) netted me about 6 cords, half of which I've brought home now, the rest next weekend. I've got some serious rounds to split and I figure I'll be hauling and splitting at odd times of the year (IOW, whenever the scrounge gods call).
The dilemma I'm facing tonight: A truck and trailer combo would have halved my trips. A splitter would let me get on with the task of c/s/s.
I've spotted a 3/4ton truck in what appears to be good shape, with over 400,000kms on it, for about $1k. A decent (non-Chinese) splitter is going to be that or more on the used market. Truck carries maintenance, repairs, insurance and gas and will sit most of the time until a scrounge or dump run is required. Some small scrounges can be done with the van and trailer (saves $$ on gas), but I'd like to avoid putting the miles on the van if I can. A splitter can be rented on a weekend basis so I can save my ibg lads and rent a splitter a few times a year.
Questions, questions. So, what do you think is a more critical piece of equipment to secure - transport or processing - and why?
I'm trying to sort out a priority list for equipment purchase. I've already got a good saw and safety gear. My transport rig is my wife's minivan (Sienna LE with 3.5l V6, tow package which incl tranny cooler is installed) and an old but still solid 4x8 utility trailer. My woodsplitter is a standard splitting maul and a bacon & egg breakfast.
A scrounge today from somewhat far (60km) netted me about 6 cords, half of which I've brought home now, the rest next weekend. I've got some serious rounds to split and I figure I'll be hauling and splitting at odd times of the year (IOW, whenever the scrounge gods call).
The dilemma I'm facing tonight: A truck and trailer combo would have halved my trips. A splitter would let me get on with the task of c/s/s.
I've spotted a 3/4ton truck in what appears to be good shape, with over 400,000kms on it, for about $1k. A decent (non-Chinese) splitter is going to be that or more on the used market. Truck carries maintenance, repairs, insurance and gas and will sit most of the time until a scrounge or dump run is required. Some small scrounges can be done with the van and trailer (saves $$ on gas), but I'd like to avoid putting the miles on the van if I can. A splitter can be rented on a weekend basis so I can save my ibg lads and rent a splitter a few times a year.
Questions, questions. So, what do you think is a more critical piece of equipment to secure - transport or processing - and why?