Rollback transport of 31'?

[Darkspeed]

Hello I just bought a 1972 31' Land Yacht-Sovereign to restore. It has sat in the same spot all of it life and the hitch is damaged from rust. I need to transport it 134 miles home. Is it possible to get an airstream this long on a rollback tow truck? Anyone done this? Thanks for the help!

[thecatsandi]

A rollback or flatbed trailer. It will be expensive. can you put new axles on it? How about a new coupler?

[Darkspeed]

Are the axels hard to change? I am just concerned about pulling something that sat for 30+ years without going through everything. I could weld on a new hitch but I thought it would be safer to truck it as long as it would not damage the skins loading and unloading

[wasagachris]

Darkspeed is this the trailer that was on E-bay recently? If it is I wouldn't recommend towing it at all. I saw how badly damaged the tongue was and you can guarantee further frame damage that is enclosed in the belly pan. Axles are not something you want to try and change in the field. You will need air toold to remove the severly rusted bolts, jacks to lift the trailer and a jack to support the old axles and to lift the new ones in place.

[Mikethefixit]

Darkspeed
Id recommed NOT attempting to pull this trailer if the tongue is as severly deteriated as is indicated. Someone with a HOT SHOT trailer could haul it for you I think is a better idea. HOT SHOTS are trailers either 5th wheel or goose neck and there are some tongue type trailers pulled by 1 ton pickups. I would think the biggest problem will be getting it loaded without damaging it further.
GOOD LUCK

[Phrunes]

Darkspeed, Call Mickperk (Mike Perkins) from San Diego, he is on UShip and he has the equipment necessary to safely move your new baby. He's fully insured and has a great reputation. His prices are reasonable too. He is a retired firefighter and this is his retirement gig.

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by Phrunes

Darkspeed, Call Mickperk (Mike Perkins) from San Diego, he is on UShip and he has the equipment necessary to safely move your new baby. He's fully insured and has a great reputation. His prices are reasonable too. He is a retired firefighter and this is his retirement gig.

In California ? I am moving it in Florida?

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by wasagachris

Darkspeed is this the trailer that was on E-bay recently? If it is I wouldn't recommend towing it at all. I saw how badly damaged the tongue was and you can guarantee further frame damage that is enclosed in the belly pan. Axles are not something you want to try and change in the field. You will need air toold to remove the severly rusted bolts, jacks to lift the trailer and a jack to support the old axles and to lift the new ones in place.

Yes this is the one on eBay with the hitch rot. I have built trailers from scratch so welding on a new hitch is not a problem, it was the axles I was concerned about. Is it a given they need replacing and not just repacking?

[Aviator]

I would count on replacing the axles. It is not hard to do and there are several threads on this forum about replacing them. This is one from my perspective.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f437...ion-72600.html

It is not a difficult job, ad the axles are readily available.

[Darkspeed]

Local place called atlas towing have a special lowboy for this - 150 per hour, 4 hours travel, 1 hour to load, 1 hour to unload = $750 . More than I expected.

[wasagachris]

Originally Posted by Darkspeed

Yes this is the one on eBay with the hitch rot. I have built trailers from scratch so welding on a new hitch is not a problem, it was the axles I was concerned about. Is it a given they need replacing and not just repacking?

The A frame actually goes about 3ft back inside the belly, unless you're prepared to open it up and replace it in the field then have it trucked. I would guarantee that the rest of the frame is in as poor a condition and wouldn't survive a tow home.
When I built a new frame for mine the A frame was the only salvageable part. Given the condition of yours the rest of the frame will be worse.
I'd hate to see it explode on the highway and ruin your purchase and most probably kill someone in the process.
As for the axles yes they definately will need replacing, however they would survive a 4 hr trip to get it home. Repack the bearings , replace the tires, repair the brakes and the axle would work. But why pour money into an axle that you would be replacing anyway.
My opinion is to have it trucked home and fix it all there. Easiest and safest way to do it and in the long run the cheapest.

[Mikethefixit]

Dark Speed
I know its not what you expected. But this is a specialized move. Figure about 6 miles to the gallon at $4.25 a gallon and the driver at 15 or 20 bucks an hr.and If the guy is licensed and bonded and insured.ITS not a bad deal,PROVIDE he can get it ON and OFF the truck without further damage. THEN you can go to work on it at home. IF its a 73 and has set all its life the axles will definately need replaced. There are several players in the game now and prices are a little better that they were when I did mine 2 yrs ago.
GOOD LUCK

[Darkspeed]

Thanks everyone this has been a big help!

[Phrunes]

Originally Posted by Darkspeed

In California ? I am moving it in Florida?

He is Nationwide...and may be deadheading from your area.

The quote I got for fuel was in the $400.00 range...San Diego to Phoenix to San Francisco

[Splitrock]

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqEOKjE...2Dv9pQ~~_3.JPG

This it?

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by Splitrock

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqEOKjE...2Dv9pQ~~_3.JPG

This it?

Yes

[Splitrock]

This gonna be a parts trailer?

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by Splitrock

This gonna be a parts trailer?

For a couple of years it's going to be used as a cabin, then it may get restored later

[Splitrock]

Guess I'd hire a house mover. It looks to me like it needs a sub structure under it before moving.

Good luck with the move.