Tried to do the same when I was moving cross country with the family AND the AirStream. Short answer, there are NO big moving companies that have vehicles that are set up to move anything like an AirStream. All the companies I looked at had 2" balls and 10K limits on the bumper hitches. Plus there is NO LIABILITY if you deviate from what they equipe the truck with - should there be a wreck, or a problem of ANY sort!!!!
Consider having that TT moved on a flat bed, or else rent a TV locally that will get there and back with none of the issues of renting a truck from the big truck rental co's. Check with local dealers - they have to have a LOAD of big trucks/SUV's sitting around that they would love to make a few bucks on, rather than havingt them sit around and gathering dust (and costing them $'s to have sit). Just a thought.
Keep us posted, oh and be SURE to post LOADS of photos when you get that AS home!!!
When thinking about what I was going to do in this situation, I decided I'd probably spend less by buying a truck local to where my Airstream was... and selling it when I got home (though in our case it's a vintage truck and we're keeping it as our tow vehicle.)
It's a big gamble compared to renting or borrowing someone elses. In terms of what you're going to find mechanically when you pick it up, whether or not you'll make your money back when you try and resell it later, and insuring it and driving without the title in your name... it's all a risk - but one I decided to take.
I flew down south, bought the old Jeep sight unseen, drove out to pick up the Airstream and towed it home without major issues (leaky seal on the oil pan and the alternator died one night.)
Thankfully, the only big engine troubles I've had with it have all cropped up *since* I've been home!
Another total shot in the dark, and it's really such a slim chance I don't even know why I'm writing this...
Once in a while people will post on their local Craigslist to find auto transporters.
IF somebody happened to have a big V8 truck...
and IF they lived in Arkansas...
and IF they happened to randomly want it driven to Phoenix or Seattle...
then you might be able to end up with a free (or just gas) type of ride.
Again, extremely small chance, but might make a post in the Craigslists near your new trailer and see what happens - it's free, and you never know.
Well if I tell you how I have done it six times and not tell any one... I will let you know! Go and rent a ryder truck!... Tell them you will be using a car hauler.... And when you show up tell them that you have changed your mind and dont need the car hauler!... Keep in mind that it comes with a 2-5/8 ball so you may have to switch out the ball with a quick stop at wally world... The standard 16 ft truck with nothing in it has more than enough power! On average it has been about $500.00 for the rental pluss gass... If you are unsure the road worthiness of the trailer you can for an extra $150.00 use the car hauler... I take the wheels off and strap the drums to the car hauler... (I replace all my trailers with new axles any way!)....
But dont tell any one I told about the ryder way!
I think uhaul or ryder is the way to go.. I haven't found a rental company that rents pickups with tow packages..
My brother in law wanted to haul his pickup to kansas form seattle, "You didn't hear this from me" they didn't have much to move so I told him to get a bigger truck and put his small toyota in the back of it... Had to get a flat bed tow truck to dirve it out onto to unload but worked great....
Man Uhaul and Ryder are abused but thats what rental are for...
Thats why I would never buy a used rental vehicle...
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
Here's a picture of a Ryder rented to tow a Bambi after a brake failure on the tow vehicle. It was all that was available for towing a trailer at the time.
The last 2 seem to be really similar, it looks like you can enter your info and then they find the mover for you? Almost like an insurance broker I think..
If anyone else has info or sites to add, that would be helpful!
Horizon Transport has a few hundred pick ups towing campers all over the country. We also have a few flatbed trucks to move campers with. Licensed, insured, etc.
Godspeed,
Trent
__________________
TV1: Black Sheep, 2001 Dodge 3500, 792,xxx miles,a few non-stock parts here and there...
TV2: Brownie, 1989 Dodge W250, only 253,000 miles!
Enterprise has a commercial branch that rents pickups with towing equipment. The website notes that they are only for commercial use only - but if you figure out a way around that....
I used Ryder about 12yrs ago to move back to WI from OH. Got a small box truck and a tow dolley from them to put my Jetta on...Im sure I coulda pulled just about anythign with the truck..including an AS...had I had one then :-)
__________________ Jay (KB8VMO) & Sheri Kids, cats, horses, & donkeys WBCCI #10917 AIR #32349
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