STAKEBED TRUCKS & CLASS B LICENSE

This is the truck to have for most average deliveries. On eBay, they run about $15,000.

To obtain a Class B Driver's License, I'll need to get a physical exam and have the results submitted on a specific DMV form seen here.
 

I have successfully used Movinghelp.com twice and both times I have said to myself, "I will never move any other way". Its approximately $40 an hour for two men with a two hour minimum plus an optional tip. The movers inferred that the split is approximately 50/50 where Uhaul gets half and the movers get half. The computerized reservation system is simple and quick but keep in mind you can search for movers in different ways; the default search is something like "most references" which can sometimes result in a more expensive mover say $50 per hour, but I choose "cheapest" or "closest". Both times the movers showed up in a timely fashion, they knew what they were doing, and got the job done quicker than the time I reserved for them. They can look rough sometimes due to lack of uniforms and sweat. One time we were moving into a storage unit and the mover saved me $50 per month because he could fit my furniture into a smaller unit than I estimated. For example, hire loading movers for two hours in New York and then hire unloading movers for 2 hours in Florida

SO. CAL. WINDOW MFGs

Source is here.

1.  INTERNATIONAL ALUMINUM CORP.    

Parent company of IWC which is carried by A Plus Windows

Corp. Headquarters: Moved from Monterey Park, CA to . . .
9151 E. Imperial Highway
Downey, CA 90242 
PHONE:   
888-685-0300 Toll Free
562-940-0300 Office
Product lines: Aluminum and vinyl window and door products.
Employees: 1,500
Web site: www.intlalum.com
Windows Location:  
1551 East Orangethorpe Ave
Fullerton, CA 92831
PHONE:  714-738-5681

International Aluminum is an integrated manufacturer of a diverse line of aluminum and vinyl products. The publicly-traded firm operates 14 North American subsidiaries, including International Window Corp., which produces aluminum and vinyl windows and doors. The residential window unit operates manufacturing plants in South Gate and Hayward, CA, and Phoenix. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, it reported residential sales of approximately $65 million and commercial product sales of nearly $100 million.

2.  FLEETWOOD WINDOWS & DOORS

Headquarters: Corona, CA
Product lines: Aluminum windows and doors. Wardrobe mirror doors.
Employees: 130
Web site: www.fleetwoodusa.com

The company produces aluminum windows and doors for luxury homes and commercial applications. It sells its products throughout the United States, as well as internationally. In 2001, it added vinyl windows and sliding doors, constructing a 35,000-square-foot expansion to its manufacturing facility to accommodate the new line. In 2003, it added an aluminum entrance door line with offerings up to 4 x 12 feet.  

3.  ANLIN WINDOW SYSTEMS 

One of the 5 best selling windows in metro San Diego

Headquarters: Clovis, CA
Product lines: Vinyl windows and doors.
Employees: 300
Web site: www.anlin.com

Focusing on high-end vinyl replacement windows, Anlin recently completed a $10 million expansion project, including installation of four automated Super Spacer lines for the production of insulating glass. In 2001, it added 115,000 square feet to its plant, bringing the total to 200,000. The company, which had been a licensed manufacturer of CertainTeed Window products, now offers its own line of high-performance products designed specifically for the California market.

4.  Win-Dor Inc.*

Headquarters: Anaheim, Calif.
Employees: 220
Product Lines: Vinyl replacement windows and doors.
Web Site(s): www.windoronline.com

A number of manufacturers that are carried in the San Diego market are too small to be listed including Alsides of Ohio, American Integrity of California, CDI of Oregon, Magic of Ontario Canada, Vinyl Master of San Diego, VPI of Oregon, Window Factory of San Diego. Many of these smaller companies are in financial trouble.   Still others once featured have been gobbled up such as Superior, Window Master, Pozzi, Great Lakes,

*Sales volumes not confirmed by company

5.  Superior Windows.  A Plus Windows carries Superior.  One of the top 5 in California.

Headquarters: Hayward & Ontario CA
Product lines: Vinyl, aluminum, and wood windows and patio doors.
Employees: 1,500
Web site: www.superior-windows.com

Superior Windows has been supplying the Southwest for over 50 years with quality windows and doors.  A Plus has been installing their products for over 10 years, and Jerry has taken a tour of their Ontario facility (in metro LA).  Their wood line which comes with aluminum clad is built better than others for they use an LVL core.

6.  T.M. COBB CO.

Headquarters: Riverside, CA
Product lines: Wood doors and windows.
Web site: www.tmcobbco.com

Founded in 1935, T.M. Cobb serves California and its neighboring states through six manufacturing operations, three warehouses and eight sales offices. With total size of its locations now approaching 1 million square feet, the supplier of doors, windows and millwork products reports it has one of the largest flush door manufacturing operations in the West, located in San Bernardino, CA.

7.  ARCADIA WINDOWS

Headquarters: 

3225 E Washington Boulevard
Vernon, CA 90058

(323) 269-7300

Products/Services:  Re-Pair, Re-place, Re-Glaze, New & even Custom Windows for your home. 

Website: www.arcadiainc.com

8.  SIGNATURE WINDOWS (These guys may be out of business: they're website, at least, is dead.  I'll call them tomorrow.)

Headquarters:

15046 E. Nelson Ave #17

City Of Industry, CA 91744

(626) 961-5577

Products/Services: We manufacture and install dual pane, energy efficient vinyl windows.

Website: signaturewindows.net.

Email: moc.loa@niwerutangis.

Christina Crouley, President
Phone: 626-961-5577
Email: moc.loa@niwerutangis.

We manufacture and install dual pane, energy efficient vinyl windows.

Why buy from a dealer when you can buy directly from the factory. We guarantee we will beat any legitimate price.

Vinyl windows

Vinyl patio doors

Doggy doors

9.  UNITED VINYL MANUFACTURING

Headquarters:

7305 Paramount Blvd
Pico Rivera, CA 90660

(800) 717-9021

Products/Services: Manufacturer of Vinyl Windows And Doors

Website:

10.  ATI ADVANCED THOUGHT & INNVTN

Headquarters:

1111 Iowa Avenue
Riverside, CA 92507 

Phone: (909) 946-3697

Website: Atiwindows.com

President, Greggory Papp.

Human Resources Executive, Audrey Anderson.

CFO, Daniel Schwartz.

Purchasing Executive, Jennifer Alacron.

Chief Operating Officer, Stephan Schwartz.

11.  ATI WINDOWS

Headquarters:

621 South Bon View Avenue
Ontario, CA 91761 

Phone: (909) 391-6491

Website: http://bit.ly/YFkfam

Retailer for Milgard Windows.

CEO, Bob Raichle.

Human Resources, Jamie Leigh.

Controller, Jenny Yu.

BRAND NAME MFGs

1.  Pella Windows.  Wood frame windows.

2.  Simonton Windows.  Vinyl frame windows.

3.  Soft-Lite Windows.

4.  Park Avenue Windows.

5.  Wincore Windows, West Virginia.

6.  Marvin Windows & Doors, Anaheim.

Just yesterday we had 3 Marvin window replacements installed, and we're delighted.  They are sash replacements that look like original windows.  Most replacements look obviously retrofitted and have less glass area and less light coming into the house.  Marvin is wood inside (stain grade if you need that, or delivered primed), and aluminum exterior with a permanent white finish. They are beautiful, and they are available in energy efficient models.  The only drawback is that, although they tilt in for cleaning, that is not easy to do. Our son got vinyl replacement windows in his house.  He likes them, but I don't.  Look into WindowGang.com.  They're spreading all over the country, and many are doing Marvin window replacements.  I think Pella is overpriced and probably not that good.

Another contributor offered:
Probably the best replacement window is Anderson Renewal.  In vinyl, consider Atrium or Thermal Industries (and here), whichever sells in your area.

More comments:
We did Atrium brand, 200 Series vinyl, about 2.5 years ago--dual glazed, argon filled, Low-E.  11 Windows and 12-foot sliding door.  Exterior trium is formed onsite of powder coated, rolled aluminum to any width you might want.  They're great and look LOTS better than most.  

We have a rough finish stucco exterior house and the job required NO patching anywhere.  Perfect fit!  It took only two day.  We're in So. California. Getting bids was hilarious though.  Quotes ranged from $10K to $32K for the same job.

DoItYourself.com looks like a great site.

THE COMPETITION
1.  WindowGang.com. 

DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW

ANATOMY OF DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW

BEST-SELLING WINDOWS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Muntins

When looking for a tow vehicle, the biggest mistake is getting something too light and under powered.

So while it is possible to tow with a small truck, it is safer and more enjoyable to tow with a heavier vehicle that has more towing capacity than you think you'll need.

Your tow vehicle should have a factory tow package which includes a transmission cooler, a larger radiator, and heavier springs and brakes.

The tow vehicle should weigh more than the fully loaded trailer. Once you purchase the tow vehicle, you'll want to add a trailer braking system, and a trailer sway hitch.

Right now, the most affordable tow vehicles will be older SUVs like Tahoes, 4Runners, Ford Expeditions, and full sized V8 powered pickup trucks.

You can find these for under $10,000.

Examples:
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/4564759046.html
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/4563800723.html

Egg camper

The heavier truck will also likely have a longer wheelbase that will improve stability.

If you're considering a 4Runner, a V-8 was offered through the 2008 model year and in the Limited version an optional self-leveling rear air suspension. I had one that easily towed a 4,000 lb. boat/trailer combination over 5,000' mountain passes.

Be sure to inspect the truck on a lift. That way you can carefully check rear brakes and differential fluid. I once was about to buy a used Land Cruiser that the owner said was used for towing his boat to the ocean. An inspection showed seaweed tangled in the brakes and driveshaft plus seawater in the differential. I passed on that one.

TRAILERS

3.5 TON DUMP TRAILER

CARGO TRAILER 3.5 TON DUMP TRAILER

SKID-STEER TRAILER  ARE HELPFUL

 TRUCK CLASSIFICATIONS ARE HELPFUL.

WINDOW-CLEANING TOOLS & SOLUTIONS

Experienced window washer.  Own tools and equipment. Experienced with construction clean-up and post-construction of windows. Removing glue over spray stucco, paint, stickers, and wiping down the metal frames.  

CLEANING SOLUTIONS
Ammonia as a window cleaner.  She says it leaves no streaks.  And she adds "any old" soap.  Claims it's cheap to make.  Ah, yeah.  Last she adds rubbing alcohol! Never heard of that as a window cleaner.  All of this is new to me.  What do you think?  WINDOW CLEANING W/ AMMONIA & VINEGAR 

                                          I'd have thought that vinegar was the best.

WHICH CLEANSER WORKS FOR WHICH SPOTS?

Ammonia removes grease stains or fingerprints from glass.  White vinegar removes water spots, such as from rain or previous cleaning, from the glass. 

Don't combine ammonia and vinegar in the cleaning solution. Ammonia is an alkali and vinegar is an acid, so the two cancel each other out and become neutral, losing all cleaning power.

HOW TO GET WINDOWS STREAK-FREE?

The suggestion was made to rubbing alcohol to leave the windows streak-free. Never heard of that either.  Another writer suggested microfiber cloths (from the auto department at Walmart) with Invisible Glass to get the windows streak-free. The Invisible Glass does have alcohol in it and I agree to only use those rags for windows and do not use fabric softener and air dry them.

One important note is to never clean a window that has direct sunlight on it as it will definitely streak. Time it that they are cool, and in the shade.

For windows anyway, it sounds like ammonia is the powerhouse cleaner. Windex's active ingredient is ammonia.  It will remove most stains that appear on glass. What role then does vinegar play? Only superficial, frequent cleanings should you use vinegar.  I don't know.  

For drying a window, always choose micro-fiber cotton cloths.  

AMMONIA & VINEGAR

2 parts warm water; 1 part ammonia; 1 part vinegar.  That's one recipe.  

Another recipe calls for 1/3 ammonia and 2/3 water.  I guess it would depend on the glass stain.

One observer noted that certain windows, like Pella Windows, have ratings. Ratings for what I do not know.  She recalled reading a warning "Do Not Use Window Cleaners with Ammonia" as it can harm the Low E rating on that particular window.  She finished by recommending that she always uses vinegar and water and a squeegee.  

FENESTRATION ENERGY RATINGS

Did not know this.  Some windows are manufactured and sold based on their energy rating, a system established by the Feds.  There are some discrepancies as to which part of the window responsible for its energy rating. Those discrepancies are covered here.  Seems like the main window manufacturer that these upscale, residential windows and their ratings cover are EnergyStar Windows.

You can see the different energies that are rated.  My question is, "Will the same window cleaning products on standardized windows work on these specially designed windows?"

WINDOW CLEANING TOOLS  

Unger water-fed pole, $621.85 at Amazon.

ETTORE SQUEEGEE