Trying to get her home

[Silverfoxrae]

After many months, I have an official title and registration for my trailer!
The work I needed to have completed on the trailer did not get done and therefore I need to institute Plan C = have it flat-bedded to my house. I'm trying to look into renting a tow- behind flat bed trailer. I've got to get it out of North Carolina to Florida. I'm just curious if anyone has ideas?

Rae

[Jammer]

I myself wouldn't try that. You would be better off financially to have the axle and brake work done locally and then tow it on its own running gear even if you have to pay more for labor.

You can rig temporary lights if need be.

[Minno]

You can hire trucking companies to flat bed your trailer for you but it's EXPENSIVE. We looked into it a couple of years ago when our trailer was in Mississippi still and I believe it would have been about $2500 or so for that trip. Since it sounds like you need work done anyway, why not spend the money that way and tow it home. I agree with Jammer.

Kay

[Silverfoxrae]

I haven't had any luck getting help to fix the trailer locally. I'd really like to do a lot of the work myself also. I have access to a great welder in FL and could have the frame repaired, and or new-built in my backyard. The trip to CT this time of year to my indoor shop just isn't realistic. But, I figured the much shorter trip to FL would be a positive direction. I just really really want to have the trailer in my possession. I need to look out my window and see her!!
I'm not that afraid to spend the money to have it transported, if I can find someone to do it- that will load it properly- which was why I am leaning toward the rent/self-trailer idea.
I also just thought about the fact that I am a AAA member and I was thinking maybe they might be able to move it, if it can fit on their truck, height/length...
Rae

[Silverfoxrae]

I have good news! I kept searching for transportation ideas, and got lucky. A company local to my address in CT referred me to a worldwide shipping/trucking transportation company. I'm now in process to get it all set up- maybe even within the next week, to transport my AS to it's new home! I will certainly keep y'all updated as things progress...

Rae

[mello mike]

Cool, Rae!! Let us know when you get it home.

[Melody Ranch]

Rae....Whats wrong with your 56? That is a spring axle....all you should need to tow it is wheels/tires. Get the bearings redone, (greased or replaced). If you buy new brake units...you get all the essentials you will need later anyway. Four bolts and two wires. The brake lights are a Wal-Mart special just to get you home. A couple hours shop time at most if you cant do it yourself.
By the way...post some pics.

[Silverfoxrae]

Ok. I wanted to update this thread too. Sorry for any redundancies. The airstream's frame wasn't trustworthy. It had been broken a long time ago most likely due to rough traveling cross-country and overseas. There had been a weld repair but to tow it for such a long distance had me concerned. Finding someone to do the work proved impossible after many months. It is definitly not advisable to do anything like this from such a distance again! At any rate, I decided the sfaest option would be a professional company and I found it in CH Robinson Worldwide. The costs that I'd put into welding, repairs and possibly new wheels and axels on a frame I'm probably going to entirely replace, seemed wasteful, so I really think in my case, it's money well spent. The peace of mind is priceless. Now I can look out my bedroom window and gaze down upon her. Once the snow thins out I can attempt to get her inside the shop. In the meantime, taking out the interior is the first project I'll tackle as soon as I return in Feb. So... I think I'll keep up the "end of the rainbow" thread for the progress, so stay tuned!!
Rae

[Silverfoxrae]

here she is, awaiting resto!

[BIGED52]

Rae, Looks good but I'm confused.... Did you transport it to CT or Florida? Hard to tell from the picture as both states have snow! LOL Ed

[JFScheck]

Great picture, awesome your restoring her and keeping her out of the scrap heap!

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by BIGED52

Rae, Looks good but I'm confused.... Did you transport it to CT or Florida? Hard to tell from the picture as both states have snow! LOL Ed

Good point about the snow, so I'm going with CT. No palm trees that I can see.

Hey Rae,

So I'm guessing she won't be ready in time for Springstream?

Keep us posted and best of luck.

Kevin

[Luckyducks]

Congratulations Rae! It has been a long road to get that trailer home and you finally did it. Looking forward to seeing your restoration (pics as it goes and the completed product in person). Missed you at the much warmer Canopener Rally this past weekend.

[mello mike]

She looks great. You know you made the right choice when you look out your window and you smile at your new addition.

Are you going to the Restoration Rally again this year?

[Kristi Foster]

Hi Rae,
Congratulations. Keep the Forum updated with pictures of your progress, so we can all share in the excitement. I look forward to meeting up with you again one day, when I can admire your restoration in person. Your dream is finally becoming a reality.Enjoy every moment, Kristi

[Silverfoxrae]

I am in Florida, working on my little house. The trailer is in Connecticut. I'll be there to start working on her the beginning of February. I wanted to attend the CanOpener this year, but just didn't work out with the timing. I am planning to go to Alburquerque, NM for this years' Resto Rally, and bringing the husband. That's in early June. It might be the only camping trip I attend this year, because I want to use the time to work on the trailer. Maybe- just maybe I can get her back together and towable for the fall, but we'll see!! It just feels so good to have her in my yard.
Rae

[Silverfoxrae]

Oh, so anyway, I'll be keeping the thread "the end of the rainbow is silver", in the Overlander 1957 section. (Technically my AS is a registered '57, since it was a late built '56)... See ya there! The coffee's on!
Rae

[Mikethefixit]

Rae
Glad to see you got it home. U did your home work CH Robinson is an old and reliable company. You didnt indicate how many miles or what the mileage rate was. Others may want to use that company.

[homeatlast]

Hello! I am looking for an Airstream trailer to buy ASAP, & will definitely require a pro to transport it for me from wherever I buy it to central California area. Can you please tell me the name & phone number or email address of the company you hired to move yours? I would appreciate it a lot, as I'm having no luck finding one so far...

[Silverfoxrae]

I don't have the total yet,- we used my husband's business and filed for credit with them, a simple fax, so we will be billed-(faster than a check sent, etc.) but it was approx. $2400 for a flat bed transport and an assist tow vehicle- to get the trailer on and off. The milage was approx. 800 miles, from the foothill mountains in North Carolina through the metro NJ and NY area and out into south eastern CT. (a long and somewhat challenging route- I've driven it with just my truck). The man I dealt with directly through email and phone conversation was John Thorn and the CH Robinson phone number I have is: 812-842-0000. I cannot say enough about the peace of mind I had in dealing with these folks. I only wish I could have physically met with them. I did explain the construction of the Airstream and made suggestions to how to strap it down- by the frame only- etc. I did allow them to cut into the belly pan for added strapping to my frame, only because of it's possible weakness, and the fact that the belly pan was sacrificial in my case. It's also a 26' unit, and something smaller would obviously need less of a transport vehicle, etc. I think a lot of the slant bed tow truck type transport vehicles could handle a lot of the shorter older airstreams. The newer wider and taller airstreams might need something else, but I think you'd be able to work out whatever your needs are with John.
Rae