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MonaxLisa · 12-11-2010, 10:50 PM

I know it's a long shot but it doesn't hurt to ask

If anyone wants to tow Alma (31') from Belfair, WA to the Trinidad area of Colorado, send me a PM. I'm not sure where else this should be posted so I hope it's not the wrong area. We haven't figured out a date yet but I think the sooner the better is the goal. I emailed a transport company and they wanted a little under $2000 (give me a break!)

2airishuman · 12-11-2010, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonaxLisa

...I emailed a transport company and they wanted a little under $2000 (give me a break!)

2k$ is very reasonable for insured professional transport.

fuel costs will be 500-600$ ONE way

and it's 3-4 days of towing one way 4 a lay/novice driver...

and that's if the weather cooperates.

cheers
2air'

safari57 · 12-12-2010, 05:37 AM

2air' is right IMHO. My friend had his trailer towed for similar money, a bit more distance, but the tow person had a back haul to make money both ways.

The big issue people forget is that the tow driver has to get back to the home base so they have time and costs to cover. And if they aren't making a profit, why do it?

You might find someone heading that way for Christmas who would appreciate having their fuel paid for, but you then assume all the risks as to their ability to tow a trailer of that size, in winter conditions, etc etc.

Good luck, hope it works out for you.

flyfisher · 12-12-2010, 08:10 AM

Take a look at Uship.com

slowmover · 12-12-2010, 09:01 AM

Few Americans have ever broken down the cost of operating a vehicle on a mile-by-mile basis and thus do not even understand the cost of a long vacation, driving. Towing a trailer as a completely private individual with a newer 4WD diesel pickup is well above $1/mile. Before any driver-related expenses. Even with depreciation and/or other business tax deductions the overhead (as mentioned above) is significant; insurance alone is probably $1,000 monthly.

The proposed distance is above 1,500-miles. $2,000 is not at all unreasonable at $1.35/mile. It's cheap, in fact.

And if some private individual damages or destroys that trailer, who will pay? Cartage is a very old legal concept.

I would avoid uship, and look for recommended RV transport companies.

masseyfarm · 12-12-2010, 09:48 AM

[QUOTE=MonaxLisa;925859]I know it's a long shot but it doesn't hurt to ask

If anyone wants to tow Alma (31') from Belfair, WA to the Trinidad area of Colorado, send me a PM. I'm not sure where else this should be posted so I hope it's not the wrong area. We haven't figured out a date yet but I think the sooner the better is the goal. I emailed a transport company and they wanted a little under $2000 (give me a break!)[/QUOTE]

From my own experience, for an older trailer, if the trailer has not had a long distance tow recently, the chances are fair to middling that some problem will show up. Most individuals who know what they are doing would not take on your tow.
Towing is not a science, but you should know your vehicle and tow well, and even more so in the winter months.
It's different if you are buying it - you are committed and on a learning curve. But to hook on to some one else's trailer and tow that distance, could be a big sinkhole in time and money.
SUGGEST

If you are not able to tow it yourself, you could look for an outfit to haul it on a trailer to the destination. Do some research on what trucking companies are in your area and have flat deck or low beds returning empty to the Colorado region. Again there will be a cost, but very little liability for damage or maintenance for the trip.
Try your local AIRSTREAM dealer for info, as they come in on a flat deck, and it would be returning MT. Also other RV Dealers, and farm machinery outlets.

Good luck
Dave

TrailerFixer · 12-12-2010, 10:14 AM

Good luck, we tow a lot....and it's great to have a tow come up the other direction. Fuel is high and insurance, especially on vintage units....we go over the wheel bearings, the axles, the tow chains, etc etc.....been doing it for near 15 yrs. Put an ad out there for a ONE WAY TOW.....

MonaxLisa · 12-12-2010, 07:33 PM

The tires, bearings, brakes etc are new. Guess at this point I'm just going to try to sell it. Here's hoping!

Streamside · 12-12-2010, 08:59 PM

Look into shipping it on a flatbed on a train.

TrailerFixer · 12-15-2010, 11:28 AM

If we can find a tow back....which is highly possible, then we could do it in the Spring. Just an FYI. Does it need to be out of WA? for storage reasons or?

MonaxLisa · 12-16-2010, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailerFixer

If we can find a tow back....which is highly possible, then we could do it in the Spring. Just an FYI. Does it need to be out of WA? for storage reasons or?

It needs to go with because I'm living in it full time:/ But if something doesn't come together by spring I will definitely try to get ahold of you

Rodger with a D · 12-22-2010, 03:18 PM

Ho Ho Ho To All

Check out the price to rent a U-Haul Truck from your place to Colorado.

To me, I think all they need to know is that you are towing a __________ pound RV Trailer.

If you are moving for a job reason, then April's IRS Statement should have a section for this.

Rodger & Gabby
COS

mojo · 12-22-2010, 07:55 PM

U-haul does not authorize their vehicles to tow anything but their trailers. Towing any thing else and you assume all risks.

Also they are set up with a 2" ball which will not fit an Airstream and I wouldn't advise towing a 31' without a WD hitch.

JFScheck · 12-23-2010, 09:13 PM

I know Enterprise will lend F150 & 1500's - how about seeing if they rent out 2500's or 250's?

Brett - TTT · 12-24-2010, 12:54 AM

Railroads do not take this kind of freight anymore. Even if they did, you wouldn't want to ship your Airstream this way. I have had them severly damage my 70 ton railroad passenger cars when moved in freight trains: Broken windows, doors knocked off hinges, piano dislodged from its mountings, funiture tossed about, damaged couplers, bums set up housekeeping, 400# batteries stolen, 4/0 power cables stolen... Modern, profitable rail operations depend on long "unit" trains of long-haul commodities such as containers, coal, automobiles and produce from point A to point B and they don't want to be bothered with small, one-off loads. When they do accept a load such as a new Caterpiller roadgrader they get about $1.90 a mile.

U-Haul and Enterprise do not allow you to tow your trialer with their vehicles. U-Haul welds their 2" balls to the bumpers. If you attempt to tow with their truck, you invalidate your rental agreement and are not covered by any of their insurance.

We have a driver who was scheduled to deliver a trailer to Spokane in the near future. If he has not found a backhaul, he might be available. Send me an email at brett@TimelessTravelTrailers.com with your contact info and I'll put the two of you together.

richinny · 12-24-2010, 05:31 AM

the price quoted seems reasonable. the only way you might get a better deal is if someone doesn't want to make an empty return trip and is already in WA. you might try contacting the mothership to see if any of their deliveries need a return load.