Need 5th wheel transport

[mickeyleighe]

Hi,
I came to this forum hoping someone would help me find a way to get my 1999 28ft.fifth wheel from Florida to Washington state.
I am a retired schoolteacher and came up here last summer to visit kids and grandkids. Health problems prevent me from going back to Florida and I need my "home". I've checked several RV transport services, but am nervous about letting someone haul it that I don't know and don't know how to check references. They say they are licensed and bonded, but how do I know? Anyone can say anything on the internet. I have a friend who wants to bring it up for me, but he has no truck. The only truck rental we found, (suitable for hauling a 5th wheel) is in Denver Colorado.
Any suggestions for a grandmother sleeping on an air mattress in her eight-year old granddaughter's room?
Thanks!

[GOLDWINGER2]

Most transport companies are brokers. They post the jobs for independents to complete. Every year the independent must provide proof of insurance to be able to accept jobs from the transport company. The problem comes when a carrier drops the coverage and does not notify the transport company. The driver should be able to show you current proof of insurance. There is a phone number on the policy and you can contact the company during regular business hours. I used to do a lot of work for McNutt Auto Transport, it would really confuse the customer when I showed up with a XXX XXXX XXX sign on my truck.
After going over all of the paperwork they would be OK. The brokers can pass the load but the carrier that it is passed to should not pass it once again. Do your research and good luck.
J

[mickeyleighe]

Thanks, J,
I appreciate your reply. I did get a bid from someone who said he was an "auto transport" carrier. Since I've never seen a car carrier transporting a fifth wheel, I was suspicious. He told me it was something they do on a regular basis.
I hate to be so cynical, but I live on a fixed income and have to be very careful with what little I have...
I appreciate your help,
Mickey

[RustyJC]

There are a number of past and present RV transporters who hang out on truck forums such as Turbo Diesel Register. Where this has been discussed, they pretty uniformly say that anyone who doesn't charge at least $1/mile is losing money. That seems to be the minimum going rate. Be sure they're bonded and insured.

Rusty

[Route 66]

Try www.uship.com.

[TXiceman]

Depending on the age and condition of the RV, it might be less expensive to sell it in FL and buy a new one in WA. It is not cheap to get one transported.

As for transport insurance, they should have a insurance certificate that can be provided. All you have to do is to call the insurance carrier and confirm the coverage and limits.

Ken

[GOLDWINGER2]

Originally Posted by mickeyleighe

Thanks, J,
I appreciate your reply. I did get a bid from someone who said he was an "auto transport" carrier. Since I've never seen a car carrier transporting a fifth wheel, I was suspicious. He told me it was something they do on a regular basis.
I hate to be so cynical, but I live on a fixed income and have to be very careful with what little I have...
I appreciate your help,
Mickey

He could be OK, he only has to drop his multi-car carrier and hook up your trailer. Most operators carry at least $500,000 cargo insurance so you'll be covered
if anything happens. My truck is set up to pull any trailer in my weight range. A 28 ft. fiver would have been a piece of cake.
J

[edj]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Depending on the age and condition of the RV, it might be less expensive to sell it in FL and buy a new one in WA. It is not cheap to get one transported.

Ken

I agree.... He stated it was a 1999 28 foot trailer. At this point, it probably would cost as much or more to get a shipper to haul it from FL to WA than the trailer is worth. Unless he (or a friend who will only charge expenses) can get down there to haul it back, it will likely cost way too much. If I was in his situation, I would seriously consider selling it in FL and buying another one in WA.

[Ray,IN]

I agree with Ken and Ed. At the current transportation rates, you will likely be money ahead to sell your present one in FL and buy another where you are now.
If you wish to further investigate transportation costs and time-lines, here are some suggestions to peruse:
Free Shipping Quotes for Horse Transport, Car Transport RV Shipping Quotes and more | FindAHauler.com
previously suggested:
Auto Transport & Car Shipping Quotes | Vehicle Shipping & Transport
and many more are found by typing in "RV transport company" into a search engine. Keep in mind as fuel prices are rising, so are transportation costs. I seem to remember reading the average loaded cost was somewhere around $1.47/mile, which includes their expenses to get back home.

[GOLDWINGER2]

Originally Posted by edj

I agree.... He stated it was a 1999 28 foot trailer. At this point, it probably would cost as much or more to get a shipper to haul it from FL to WA than the trailer is worth. Unless he (or a friend who will only charge expenses) can get down there to haul it back, it will likely cost way too much. If I was in his situation, I would seriously consider selling it in FL and buying another one in WA.

Most of the time it's not about the worth of the object.
People like what they have, they trust it. I transported a lot of cars and wondered "why". They paid me, I got it to them in one piece and everybody was happy.
I began to understand that people want what they want and will pay for it. She has already worked all of the bugs out of her fiver and wants it. That's how I feel about my '88 Pace, it's not worth much but it's trouble free. No over heating, no dragging brakes, dash A/C is cold, genny fires right up, and slides don't hang up.
OOOPS, no slides. Still, I love it and it's going with me where I go.
J

[historyljc]

Welcome Mickey,
Looks like you're getting plenty of good advise from the forum. Best of luck.