RCW,
I also burn hardwood pellets for heating the house. Being retired now, it's easy tending the pellet stove. I just finished up my initial 3 tons. Several days ago, I went and bought another ton and brought it home. I use my big double axle trailer that I haul my tractor with for the first three tons and do the pellets on pallet transport in the fall before the snow flys.
During winter, I refuse to tow a trailer around in the snow/salt/slop.
I actually had a small utility trailer axle tube rust out and fail.
It was a sobering experience for me as good trailers aren't cheap.
Anyway, during winter, all of my good trailers are stored out behind the barn.
I use the Toyota pickup for hauling pallets #4 and #5.
Unfortunately, the Tacoma is a short bed and it's limited to 1000 pounds,
so a pallet is two trips.
Last year we burned 4.5 tons and had a half ton leftover starting this season.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a total this year of over 5.5 tons.
We have oil fired hot water backup heat, and that includes domestic hot water.
So we always have a heating oil bill, but it's pretty small due to being used exclusively
for domestic hot water.
