[TheForge] sheet metal repairs

[terry l. ridder]

hello


On Sun, 3 Oct 2021, jerry Frost wrote: 
> You're right Bruce and it's not something someone with serious mobility
> issues is going to do himself nor cheaply. Not and have something reliable.
> Just the lift is going to be several thousand dollars for a good one.
> Provided it MUST be installed in the front driver's side of the bed. That
> just escapes me who wants to stand on the shoulder in traffic to unload a
> scooter?
>

I am just paying for the repair to the truck bed.
The truck has been inspected by both Ford and the VA Mobility people and
if deemed not to be a rust bucket. The only rust is in the  wheel wells
of the bed. I would rather pay for a rebuilt bed than a newer used
truck. A new truck is not an option. A new truck is a poor expenditure 
of money.

>
>
> There is a jib boom type that runs as low is $750 for the low end, powered
> seems to start around $1,000 and up.
>
> There are scooter/chair lifts that connect to a trailer hitch receiver and
> are powered from the socket.
>

The VA is paying for this so they get to make the equipment calls. They
do not have good experience with rear receiver hitch carriers. They are
hit frequently in parking lots. The mobility vehicle is also stolen
more often from the rear reciever hitch carriers. The mobilty vehicle in
the truck bed held down by the lifting arm of the lift makes it more
difficult to steal the mobilty vehicle.

>
>
> The big problem is hanging several thousand dollars worth of important gear
> from a rust bucket in the first place. The fab shops that build specialty
> beds up here won't put a bed or repair one on a rust bucket, there's too
> much liability.
>

Several shops are working up estimates to repair or replace the bed.
The shops are short staff because of the CCP virus nightmare. It is
taking longer than usual to get jobs done.

> In a year or so prices on used vehicles will come down, production of new
> vehicles is beginning to pick back up. Then there's keeping an eye open for
> a good deal to turn up, you see some pretty good ones even here. It just
> takes patience and a realistic list of expectations.
>

Please define what is meant by "a realistic list of expectations."
I have no expectations at the moment.
I give thanks to GOD each morning being able to wakeup and see nature.
Having had cancer I no longer take time for granted.

I know i do not want to pay cash for a new/used pickup truck when
there is the cancer question mark concerning the future. The  current
truck meets most of the needs currently.

There are two items which aare considered in waiting.

The doctors cannot state with 100% certainty that I am cancer free. The
VA is checking me every 3 months for cancer markers. oct 13th is the
next checkup. obviously dying from cancer would make the entire lift and
mobility scooter a mute point..

The doctors feel that the sooner I am able to be more independant the
better both physically and mentally.

Waiting a year is time i may not have.

>
> Frosty
>

-- 
terry l. ridder ><>