Comments By Nomad Novelist

Just be sure newbies bring ebooks.. nit paperbacks. Lol. The trainers won't like a ton of books with so little room.

BtW..I write books..if anyone is interested in audiobooks I have a few FREE coupon codes in exchange for writing a review.. honest review.

Hey RainyD, you write, too. Awesome! So do I. What do you write?

"The problem most people run into, is that they apply "normal job math" to the trucking industry, which does not work. They fail to see that they will be making MORE money than they are now, but are suddenly hung up on a per hour figure, that is inaccurate at best." ~Danielsahn

Couldn't agree more.

I enjoy listening to audiobooks, for example. After I get hired on somewhere, I will be getting paid while I listen to audiobooks.

I also have other streams of income (web design, writing fiction) that I can maintain when I'm not driving, or while I'm waiting to get unloaded, etcetera.

It's a unique job. Every job is. Calculating an "hourly wage" really doesn't account for the intangibles. And some of those are pretty valuable.

I haven't started driving yet, but in a former life, I was a strength trainer.

Here's how I plan to stay in shape, without much fuss, and in a very short amount of time, 4 days per week:

The Tabata Method [http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-conditioning/the-tabata-revolution-explained-what-why-and-how-to-tabata]

PROTOCOL -- Repeat 8 times: 20 seconds of all-out exercise, followed by 10 seconds of rest. This adds up to four minutes total per workout. Anyone has time for that.

I'll do a different exercise each time I stop for the day. Pushups, Kettlebell Squats, Handstand Pushups, Crunches, Squat Thrusts, Chins, etcetera.

Nutrition is also important. Avoid the truck stops. Buy your own food instead. Protein shakes, steamed veggies, eggs, and other real, non-processed food. Most of all, avoid liquid calories and sugar.

If you want to stay healthy, you'll find a way. Hope this helps.

James, neither one of us knows your solution is faster or not. I will have Kevin do a demo video comparison between the two products, testing 1) ease of use, 2) winding speed, 3) strap removal ease and speed, 4) ability to handle different types of straps / ropes, 5) etcetera.

I still haven't seen your suggested solution in action in a video. Until I do, and compare it to the performance of the ReelEZ solution, there's no way to know which tool is actually the best for the job.

I'm also not sure why you keep saying the ReelEZ is "complicated." It's based on a WHEEL. What could be simpler?

With all due respect, James, the product you linked to isn't simply an inferior version of the "side-encapsulated" style winder. There are features integral to the operation of the ReelEZ that you're not grasping or appreciating (because you haven't tried it):

1) The strap end grip is NOTHING like the product you linked to. There is no "insertion" or "threading a needle" like what would be required in the Kinedyne. Rather, the strap *slides in* horizontally, between a *TAPERED* knob.

2) The supposedly inferior "side-encapsulated" style--when coupled with the WEIGHTED "fly-wheel" effect of the ReelEZ reel--creates MOMENTUM when you wind it. In other words, once you get a couple turns in by hand, you could literally just give it a firm push, and the momentum of the reel itself would wind up vast swaths of your remaining strap all on its own.

3) You don't have to "gently hold your two fingers on top to guide it" like the type of winder you like. That's one of the big wins of this design.

4) Finally, the ReelEZ can wind ANYTHING--not just straps. It winds hoses, extension cords, barbed wire, Christmas tree lights--you name it.

Now I do sound like a salesman. But I'm just trying to help.

Kevin Berry, the inventor, hasn't responded to my email yet, but I'll still try to get him on here to answer any questions.

Thing is, his ReelEZ device reminds me of a George Foreman grill...just like a Foreman *looks* like a simple hotplate, the devil is in the details. His reel is really well thought out. And made right here in the USA, to boot. He's creating jobs for the local economy.

Good points about the tightening screw, Southern...

Do your straps ever slip while winding? Or do they ever get stuck on the spool?

The inventor could tell you more about how his device avoids both these common pitfalls (which I believe is why he designed it). I'll try to get him on here in the next day or two (he's internet adverse).

I'm sure he'd like real-world feedback, regardless. He's constantly tweaking and improving his designs.

James, can you show me a video of the product you like? Seeing is believing.

Did you watch the video I linked to? If you did, I don't see how you could call it clumsy. But I could be wrong. Show me a video. Or make one of your own. Prove your solution is better. If I'm wrong, I want to know. But I need proof, not opinions. I've shown you video and bad reviews for the product you recommend. Where's your proof?

I haven't used the Road Pro. But I've used the ReelEZ. Guess we're even on that front.

I looked for a video for the "RoadPro RPSW-5000 Black Steel Strap Winder" that was linked to, but couldn't find one. Here is the direct link to the demo video I mentioned above for the ReelEZ strap winder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP3MHVgI2OI

He's got a patent pending on the "quick release" nob that holds the strap when winding. It's tapered, so after you're done winding, the strap just slides off.

Also forgot to mention above... Concerning the magnet not sticking to an aluminum rail? Well, if you look at the back of the ReelEz reel, you'll see that it's slotted to "hang" over any truck rail in the event you don't have steel nearby. Of course, you can also just hold it.

Finally, if you look at the reviews on Amazon for the product linked near the top of this thread, they're pretty poor in terms of the quality of the product. The ReelEz reels are very nice in terms of fabrication quality. Clean welds, beautiful paint, etcetera.

Go ahead and accuse me of being a shill if you want. I already got paid. I'm just trying to help.

Does anyone know where to buy a strap winder? Iv been told flying j and pilots but every one Iv been to in the past 2 weeks don't have them.

Here is the best one you'll ever find. Mind in the USA: Reel EZ 8" Strap Winding Wheel

Made with 14 gauge steel Tig welded Powder coated for durability 95 pound magnet for easy on/off mounting Wheel locks to hub while in use, but easily removable with a click Handle attachment for semi truck bed, tool box, utility box, or farm vehicle mounting Can be hand-operated

FULL DISCLOSURE: I was paid to build the website for this product. I'm not the inventor, but I do know him, and he's a nice guy. The reels he makes are first-rate.

I'm sure you were paid because, no offense here, that's the exact sort of design we're telling him to avoid. It's clumsy, slow, and difficult winding from the side. That odd behavior of closing in around the strap makes getting it out more time consuming. The one linked near the top of the the thread is the one we're saying is the best/fastest. Once you position your hand properly, which is easily learned, you can roll as fast as you can spin your hand, then one solid quick tap from the side will free the strap. I roll my straps in no more than 10 seconds each using this method, and that's being slow and lazy.

I'm not paid to sell them. I ALREADY got paid to build the website. I was simply trying to help the OP solve their problem.

Did you watch the video on the homepage demo-ing its use?

I've used this thing--it's far from clumsy... And as far it being "time consuming" getting the strap out? Not at all. Literally 1 second. If you want, I'll get the inventor on this thread to answer your questions. He's far more knowledgable about his product than I am. Like I said, I just built the website. I don't make a dime on his sales.

If I get into flat-bedding after school, I'll definitely be packing his ReelEz reel with me.

Does anyone know where to buy a strap winder? Iv been told flying j and pilots but every one Iv been to in the past 2 weeks don't have them.

Here is the best one you'll ever find. Mind in the USA: Reel EZ 8" Strap Winding Wheel

Made with 14 gauge steel Tig welded Powder coated for durability 95 pound magnet for easy on/off mounting Wheel locks to hub while in use, but easily removable with a click Handle attachment for semi truck bed, tool box, utility box, or farm vehicle mounting Can be hand-operated

FULL DISCLOSURE: I was paid to build the website for this product. I'm not the inventor, but I do know him, and he's a nice guy. The reels he makes are first-rate.