Transport suggestions for cross-country project

[kaylaenglish]

Hey there! Actually posting for a friend - they purchased a 13' from a friend in California and are trying to find a solution in getting it out to Tennessee.

Seems simple enough, but:

• It's not in tip-top shape to tow across the country, so initially they were thinking towing it on a flatbed trailer
• Due to the CA fires, there's a high demand for transport out of the state so availability is low and prices are high
• Can't rent a truck to tow it out of state (if they were to fly to CA and drive it back themselves)

Anyone have any suggestions on transport? Apologies if this isn't the right place to post but I'm new here!

[Jon in AZ]

Could they arrange for the necessary repairs to make it minimally towable in CA and use their own vehicle to pull it home? If they have a tow vehicle for the Scamp, that would almost certainly be the most cost-effective option.

Short of that, I really don't know. You seem to have exhausted the options: (1) commercial transport, (2) rent a truck and flatbed, or (3) tow it. At least the money spent on repairs would put you ahead on your renovation.

[Governor Bud]

We contracted with Mike Amirault of Desert Dog Transport. He towed our Trillium from Wisconsin to New Hampshire. Excellent, on time and reasonable 603-540-5423.

[gordon2]

Ship by rail? IDK anything about it myself, but it might be worth looking into. Looks like you would still need it to be good enough to tow to and from the rail stations...

https://www.uship.com/guides/can-you...-car-by-train/

[herons]

Rent the flatbed outside California? An extra day or two for out of state rental and extra mileage will be cheaper than CA prices.

[Bob & Jackie C]

What does it need to be road worthy,
Bob

[thrifty bill]

I had a friend move from WA State to TX. He priced rental trailers. It was cheaper to buy one. So he did. He then used the trailer, and sold it when he got to TX, for more than he originally paid for it. So he actually made money on it!

[MJo]

If I were you, I would check it out to make sure it’s not tow-able. If it’s towable, I can tell you from personal experience, you will have an easy trip. I just towed my new Scamp with my 16 year old Volvo XC-70 with 254,000 miles on it from Backus, MN to Cape Cod MA and was surprised at how easy it was. With today’s roads, you will cover the ground in faster time than you thought. And, in my case, I saw beautiful country I hadn’t seen before. Having the Scamp transported would have cost $2000.00, and I would have missed the trip.

[Diana Woodland]

There are a number of "shared shipping" solutions providers out there. Uship.com is one. You put the item, size, weight, pick-up/drop off info into their website & trucks that are not full (but already heading in the same direction) bid on the job. Sometimes it can save a *lot* of money. The thing to be careful about is some trucks are professional movers & some are a couple of guys, drinking beer on their road trip across the country. Check the reviews!

Good luck and congrats on finding your camper!

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by kaylaenglish

Hey there! Actually posting for a friend - they purchased a 13' from a friend in California and are trying to find a solution in getting it out to Tennessee. Anyone have any suggestions on transport? Apologies if this isn't the right place to post but I'm new here!

What was the solution and cost per mile?

[tractors1]

U-Ship is a broker; drivers looks for loads to fill their round-trip route as they drop off loads all around the loop, so often you can get a good deal. You review the records of the individual drivers and select one, then you are put in contact to work out the deal. I've used them for over 10 years to move trailers and antique tractors around the country with zero issues. Bought a Casita outside Denver and had it brought out to Oregon in middle of a December blizzard on a flatbed- took 3 days, and the price was $900, probably less than I would have spent on gas. Gave the driver a $100 tip for staying in communication and letting me know when he was hung up by weather. Very happy.

[Diana Woodland]

Charlie, thanks for posting what it cost to ship a Casita - really helpful as we shop & find deals in places a long way away. I've steered clients to U-Ship but never used them myself. Good to know you've had a string of good experiences with them. Thanks!

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by tractors1

U-Ship is a broker; drivers looks for loads to fill their round-trip route as they drop off loads all around the loop, so often you can get a good deal. You review the records of the individual drivers and select one, then you are put in contact to work out the deal. I've used them for over 10 years to move trailers and antique tractors around the country with zero issues. Bought a Casita outside Denver and had it brought out to Oregon in middle of a December blizzard on a flatbed- took 3 days, and the price was $900, probably less than I would have spent on gas. Gave the driver a $100 tip for staying in communication and letting me know when he was hung up by weather. Very happy.

About 2000 miles for $1000 is a good deal. Out and back about 4000 miles at 15 MPG about 170 gallons of gas at $2.30 / gal. about $400 plus meals and time off from work.

[Jindra]

Isn't there a centralized transportation network that transports vehicles from one city or state to another? If this is not possible through a truck or trailer, there are certainly other methods because a lot of such transports are done worldwide. I lived in Germany for five years, and there is a coordinated network of db fahrplan that uses trains to transport goods and vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles. I think it would be appropriate to check if this does not exist in California as well.