Helpful dump trip tips

My friend Dan recently had a traumatic trip to the dump. I would like my other friends to avoid such drama. The following tips are based specifically on my experiences with in the Riverside County Waste Management system. I assume other "dumps" might be similar but different.

Tip #1 - ALWAYS COVER YOUR LOAD. If you don't it might cost you $10. If you forget, follow one of the following recommendations. I've actually gone many times w/o and never paid.

Option 1 - Take the shirt off your back and "cover your load".
(This will work for a small load, if you're a big guy)

Option 2 - Ask if you can go through and turn around because you'll have to go home and get a tarp. Usually at this point they'll say... "ah don't worry about it this time". If they just say "yes", resist the urge to speed through in hopes that there will be a different attendant when you head out (This has only worked once, usually it doesn't. It just gets them really pissed!). If they say "yes" ... move to option three.

Option 3 - Sit and wait. Ask the person leaving the dump if you can use their tarp... just for a minute to go over the scales. Someone will help you. If not, you will quickly learn how many other people did not "cover their load". Then you can build a strong case against Riverside County for their discriminatory enforcement against pastors with beards (if you are a pastor with a beard), or again, it's just a matter of time before he or she will let you through with out paying "just this once".

Option 4 - Pay the $10 and try to be like Jesus... this is not worth your salvation.

Tip #2 "MIXED REFUGE" IS CHEAPER TO DUMP THAN "GREEN WASTE"
I don't know why this is. But it will save you big bucks if when you load up the truck with biodegradable lawn clippings and tree trimmings, you throw some never ever gonna decompose plastic trash on top.

Tip #3 GOTTA GET A STICKER
Standard Procedure is to weigh in and weigh out. Next time you weigh out get a tare weight sticker to put on the inside of your door. This will prevent you from having to stop on your "weigh" out in the future. My wife never really dug it but this sticker is a badge of honor in the circles I run with. I went ahead and got two!

Tip #4 NEVER EVER GO IN A RENTED BOX TRUCK
Can you say "terrorist who for sure has chemicals (or at least tires) in there"? While this is a great way to "cover your load", the one time I did this we had every dump attendant watching us unload. Even the guy in the tractor, stopped, got out of his rig, and stood there watching us. By the time we were done I was scared of myself.

Tip #5 AVOID THE OVERLY UPTIGHT COUNTY EMPLOYEES
Go to a "Waste Management" transfer point. "Waste Management" is the private company that contracts to drive the trash trucks here in Rancho Belago. They have these transfer points where all the trash trucks dump in this warehouse right on a concrete floor. The waste, then gets put into larger trucks which make the trips all the way to the dump. Some of these are open to the public. Their rates are the same and the employees are way less uptight.

Tip #6 DONT BE LATE - THOSE FEES WILL KILL YOU!
It really would be better for you to go over your minutes on your mobile phone.

TIP #7 BRING YOUR OWN ORANGE VEST.
I've never experienced the over-enforcement of this one, but technically, that's the requirement. If you forget yours, make sure to have 3 quarters because they cost 75 cents.

TIP #8 CASH or CHECK Baby
I think they take Debit cards now, but don't plan on paying with your Visa or MC.

For more Riv Co W.M. craziness go here.
Anyone else have some helpful dump tips?