Shipping MH on lowboy trailer

[MJ56]

I have sold a MH to a buyer that is 764 mi away.
Our agreement includes me shipping it to buyer at agreed upon quote from shippers.
I have engaged with a broker and their first attempt to load MH today, failed.
They had a 5th wheel flatbed trailer, with the deck height at the top of the tires. He told me it was 2' 7" from ground. The problem was with the ramps. Trying to drive fwd onto trailer, the hitch on the MH dragged. Trying to back it onto trailer, the rear bumper hit the ramps before the wheels hit the ramp and begin to lift rear end of MH. We extended ramps with 2 x 10 x 8' planks x3 (4 1/2") and got it further up ramp but hitch now hits trailer frame. I was driving it, so I couldn't see to judge it. My buddy said it needed a couple more inches, I suggested 2 more planks (3") and truck driver refused.
(I'm adding a bad pic of the rig. I do have video of the drive fwd attempt.)

My opinion is they sent the wrong trailer. Any comments on this or suggestions for a capable shipping co? Roughly speaking, Chicago to Richmond VA.

[dons2346]

Either drive it or hire a delivery company to drive it. It will be cheaper than putting it on a low boy

[MJ56]

Thank You.

The MH is 27 yrs old. Steer tires are 10 yrs old. Shipping quotes were reasonable considering time, fuel, return airfare, etc. The convenience of insured shipping, door to door, on a lowboy, is worth the cost.

The transaction is completed, the buyer owns it. I can't risk the liability to drive it. The buyer could and might drive it. My obligation and questions are about shipping it.

[DieselTech39]

Got a heavy equipment dealer in the area? They might have a dock that is close to trailer height so you can drive it on.

Just a thought about the setup they sent to haul it....When I worked for the Twinkie people we shipped used iron (route trucks) out. Similar in size to a MH. The shippers brought single drop flat bed trailers with 20" rubber on the trailer and a regular semi tractor towing it. They used ramps but the RT were 137" WB so they would fit on those ramps. The one they sent you looks a little twinkie to me. JMHO

Best of luck in getin er done.

[MJ56]

Thank you.

My buddy, the owner of the lot we were at, suggested a better spot in the yard, using a slope in the land to better the angle. The driver made a good point that he didn't know what conditions would be to unload.

The driver's reason to quit, was that adding 2 more 2 x 10 planks would be unstable. I argued that the tree stump and 4 x 6 shim that he put under a joint in the ramp could likely be more unstable or dangerous than stacked planks.

I agree, seems a little twinkie to me too. I think he knew he was overloaded and wanted a way out.

[Arch Hoagland]

Assume you were able to load the coach on the trailer.

What would your height be? Any underpasses along the route?

[DieselTech39]

Originally Posted by MJ56

The driver made a good point that he didn't know what conditions would be to unload.

The driver's reason to quit, was that adding 2 more 2 x 10 planks would be unstable. I argued that the tree stump and 4 x 6 shim that he put under a joint in the ramp could likely be more unstable or dangerous than stacked planks.

I agree, seems a little twinkie to me too. I think he knew he was overloaded and wanted a way out.

Well once it's on his trailer and to the buyer I would consider it their problem to get it off.

Try to make this a short story on the shaky ramp. Always used a local tow service to get the trucks winched on the flat beds cause pretty much none of them ran. One driver couldn't wait so he set up his ramps and I used another RT to push the dead one part way up. I told him to steer the one going on the trailer, just happened that one had a Isuzu 6 cyl diesel, very heavy. He set his ramps with no bracing, told him I didn't think it would work. Well he knew better and was in a hurry. While loading he steered it just a little too close to the left ...you guessed it...left front wheel off ramp and bent his brand new 1.4K ramps. . Needles to say he was HOT. Wanted me or the Co to pay for them. , plus he then had to wait that extra hour for the wrecker service to finish loading it.

Probably right about the driver thinking of and out. Smart man.

Again best of luck. Just be patient and you'll find the right shipper.

[MJ56]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Assume you were able to load the coach on the trailer.

What would your height be? Any underpasses along the route?

Thank you.

We measured the MH at 10' 6" to top of AC units.
I googled 34 ft lowboy and saw similar trailers. I saw most were on 2- 7,000 lb axles. Others had 2- 12,000 lb axles, on a 40' trailer. MH weighs 15,700 lbs. MH is 33-34'. 11 paces for me. Trailer was same as MH.

I didn't notice that shim was loose until after the 2nd attempt.
I didn't realize the liability I had, driving it on his trailer, until I was back home.

[Murf2u]

Agreed. Find a heavy equip., farm equip. dealer, possibly even a large farm, or trucking company with cross dock services, that has a free-standing loading dock.

[bailiff]

I am not sure but most trailers like that has a double axle with dual wheels, it's only rated for 20K lbs. Minus the weight of the trailer, you are pushing it.


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[wildirishman]

Here is a picture of mine being loaded for transport. No issues with the right trailer.

[FleetMan]

I worked for a public transit company for a few years. We shipped city busses via flatbed truck routinely. These were heavy duty low boy trailers which should be available most anywhere in the country if you do a little searching. The right equipment makes for a trouble free move.

[JohnRR]

Be happy that the driver backed out, I for one don't think he had much of a chance to complete the trip successfully.

[MJ56]

Here is a link to the video of loading attempt.
First time I've used this Dropbox. I hope it works.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0itfe56dog...oading%201.mp4