Community Forums

hilgert · 08-03-2022, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winger2

What you require is a semi with a lowboy trailer. No one is going to tow across the country with a tow truck. Problem is, I know of no one who does that, hence the expense. You are having to pay for both directions.
I have shipped numerous vehicles over the years. Not one trucker ever accepted a credit card, not one.
There is a reason because folks call later and say they damaged the car and try to cancel.
They have all taken bank check, cash, or wire. I have never had an issue with any payments or getting scammed. Truckers need to truck, not sit on a phone or email trying to fight customers who falsely dispute payments.
Good luck whatever the outcome.

+1

We have shipped our 2nd car (Fiat 500C Turbo convertible...wife's "Fun in the Sun" car) several times from Florida (and back) when we decided to stay somewhere for more than a few months and wanted a second vehicle. Car transporters and other truckers want (and deserve) guaranteed payment. We have always paid the balance upon delivery with either cash or cashier's check, after which the driver unloads the vehicle. We've never had a problem with this, and have found the entire process to be fairly easy.

To the OP, for a motorhome of your size there are a limited number of options that would achieve the desired result. Good, fast, cheap...you get to pick only one or two. I think you are only going to get "good," and likely "fast" since it will be a dedicated load, but it will not be "cheap."

And be prepared to remove everything from the roof...you don't want this to happen:
https://youtu.be/X-ErHcOTa6w

.

bpu699 · 08-03-2022, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilgert

+1

We have shipped our 2nd car (Fiat 500C Turbo convertible...wife's "Fun in the Sun" car) several times from Florida (and back) when we decided to stay somewhere for more than a few months and wanted a second vehicle. Car transporters and other truckers want (and deserve) guaranteed payment. We have always paid the balance upon delivery with either cash or cashier's check, after which the driver unloads the vehicle. We've never had a problem with this, and have found the entire process to be fairly easy.

To the OP, for a motorhome of your size there are a limited number of options that would achieve the desired result. Good, fast, cheap...you get to pick only one or two. I think you are only going to get "good," and likely "fast" since it will be a dedicated load, but it will not be "cheap."

And be prepared to remove everything from the roof...you don't want this to happen:
https://youtu.be/X-ErHcOTa6w

.

Hmmm... never thought about the height issue. Being transported raises your roof line about 3 feet!!!

Depending on your RV height that is a big issue...

The federal government recommends that bridges on public roads have a clearance of at least 14 feet. This ensures that trucks shorter than the maximum truck height — 13 feet, 6 inches in most states — can pass underneath them safely.Jan 6, 2016

mg2016 · 08-03-2022, 08:15 AM

A suggestion, use this forum for help finding a good independent shop near you that will work with you. Pay them to remove the engine and ship that home. You guys return to MD where you husband can rebuild the engine and then ship it back to UT. Shouldn't be hard to crate the engine and have it shipped. Yes it means travel back and forth but you end up with an engine you can trust. Having the MH towed to a shop and paying for the labor to have the engine pulled and replaced might be your best option.

KenZ71 · 08-03-2022, 08:47 AM

Have not seen any suggestions to ask local Class A dealers for recommended transporters. They may have dealt with similar issues in transporting rigs back to manufacturer.

Also ask local charter bus operators if they have transport companies they would recommend - as they would most likely have similar experience i.e. transport a similar size vehicle back to their own shop.

Country Road · 08-03-2022, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpu699

Hmmm... never thought about the height issue. Being transported raises your roof line about 3 feet!!!

Depending on your RV height that is a big issue...

The federal government recommends that bridges on public roads have a clearance of at least 14 feet. This ensures that trucks shorter than the maximum truck height — 13 feet, 6 inches in most states — can pass underneath them safely.Jan 6, 2016

Ok, was that a for real clip or one of those videos where they stage accidents and a dummy was driving the truck! Yikes!!

hilgert · 08-03-2022, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Country Road

Ok, was that a for real clip or one of those videos where they stage accidents and a dummy was driving the truck! Yikes!!

Real web site. This guy has an office near this bridge that has been called the "can opener", and each too-high vehicle "feeds" the can opener.

http://11foot8.com (the height of the bridge, which is in Durham, NC).

Lots and lots of RVs and other vehicles getting their roofs cleaned (or removed). There was a documentary video on this a few years back...and they discuss all the warning signs leading up to the bridge.

Watching the documentary is very entertaining.

Can't fix stupid...

Griffin379 · 08-03-2022, 11:51 AM

OP needs a double drop extendable trailer from a heavy haul company. Deck height is generally 18 inches or less and I would guess the max height on that vintage RV would be about 12ft 3 inch which should get you below the 14 foot bridge height. A qualified company would also check their software for bridge limitations along the route of travel. Landstar Transportation would be one and Keen Transportation who hauls a lot for a Cat dealers and other equipment manufacturers.

fisher99 · 08-03-2022, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettyandJoe

Thanks for the suggestions! We contacted uship.com and received a quote. We gave them a deposit, but now the broker wants an even bigger deposit and doesn't want to take a credit card for the payment, only Paypal or a wire transfer. They will not give us any information on the actual hauler or an insurance certificate until we pay them thousands of dollars. This made us very cautious. A number of people have told us this must be a scam. We are very nervous about proceeding with them.

If you have only communicated with Uship via online/email, I would suggest getting their phone number from their actual website (not any of their emails) and calling them to talk to them directly. That should avoid the possibility of a scam.

CptBill · 08-03-2022, 01:11 PM

Go with your gut, if your not comfortable with the person or company you contacted find an other one

Flyer15015 · 08-03-2022, 01:25 PM

OP,
Did you know that there are 2 Cummins shops in West valley, Utah.
Just a thought.

Mike in Colorado

Crasher · 08-03-2022, 01:36 PM

It's a tough call to make. Does one sell for salvage and start over with another coach? They could eventually get a double drop deck truck to haul it back, but it would cost a fortune and the final cost might be higher than they think. If it were me, I would find an independent shop with good reviews within 150 miles and tow it there. That $50,000 quote from Cummins seems out of line. They just don't want to work on a motorhome. Another member here had his Cummins replaced a couple years ago and it was $50,000, but his was a 15 liter 650hp big block, not the little 5.9 liter in the OP's coach. We haven't heard from the OP since yesterday morning. Maybe they have found a solution.

bigb56 · 08-03-2022, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilgert

Real web site. This guy has an office near this bridge that has been called the "can opener", and each too-high vehicle "feeds" the can opener.

http://11foot8.com (the height of the bridge, which is in Durham, NC).

Lots and lots of RVs and other vehicles getting their roofs cleaned (or removed). There was a documentary video on this a few years back...and they discuss all the warning signs leading up to the bridge.

Watching the documentary is very entertaining.

Can't fix stupid...

In Australia there's a company making holographic solutions, imagine a huge, brightly lit stop sign suddenly appearing out of thin air in front of you:
https://www.laservision.com.au/portfolio/softstop/

hilgert · 08-03-2022, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigb56

In Australia there's a company making holographic solutions, imagine a huge, brightly lit stop sign suddenly appearing out of thin air in front of you:
https://www.laservision.com.au/portfolio/softstop/

Watching the videos, I don't think anything would help. There is even a video of a military vehicle having some body sculpting work done by the bridge.

We can try to fix ignorance, but we cannot fix stupidity.

code2e · 08-03-2022, 04:06 PM

The more thought I give, I'm going to join davidcbaker with the tow truck method. There are tow trucks for sale. I looked at several up to the task. Towing it home yourself avoids the over height issues, get yourselves and all belongings home safe. Your coach even provides overnight accommodations enroute. You only need to drop the driveline.

Much to be saved in transportation costs and lodging costs. Key is buying one that will sell quick & at close to purchase price. Puts you in control. Think it's worth considering.

One other idea, in a similar theme. Having a diesel shop back home, do you know anyone there with a class 8 wrecker? They might come get you and possible bartering over the profit portion of the cost? They might have something to tow in your direction, offset some costs, who knows, could work out.