Shipping a rig to a rally

[eDJ_]

Over time I've noticed lot of people here wanting to attend rally's that are way across the the country from where they live.  Many of our rigs are doing well to get 15 mpg even.

Just a thought here.  What about shipping the rig via tractor trailer and as those trailers could hire at least a couple of Vans
(or other types of rigs) perhaps those who know each other could pair up and secure a trucking company to split the cost.  On arrival they could attend the event and then afterwards drive home or tour in that region before slowly returning to their origins.  

Then the question would be how the rigs owners would travel to the rally after picking up their rig.

But it's just a thought.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

...it is also a lot more $$$ than driving them.
Even if you put 4 vans on a car carrier...still more.

 

[Amboman]

That take away all fun IMHO.

 

[eDJ_]

Thanks for the replies.  I didn't know and have wondered about it.  

Now I'm wondering about a Dodge Pickup with a Cummins Diesel towing a car trailer.

 

[Amboman]

What kind of rig are you trying to get there?

 

[tx2sturgis]

Average stepdeck rates are around $2.50 per mile...and that varies based on length of haul, region, time of year, direction, demand, tolls, fuel surcharges, pick-up and drop-off points, etc etc etc.

That's about 10 times more per mile than the fuel cost alone for a van getting 15mpg.

Two average high-roof vans could fit on a stepdeck, making the split cost about $1.25 per mile per van. Still, 5 times more than simply driving. Unless you pay extra for 'exclusive use', the driver or carrier might pickup and drop off other cargo along the route, delaying the transport...possibly a few days to a week or more. The two vans would need to have the same pickup and drop-off points or the rates will go up.

More than two minivans and non-highroof regular vans can be loaded on a normal auto-transport (or enclosed auto-transport) (door to door shipping) but the rates are usually higher with longer shipping times. 

Then, add in your personal costs to get YOU from the pickup point to the dropoff points...bus line, airline, or carpool of some kind, any of these will cost you even more money.

Shipping by rail is usually a lot cheaper but the logistics can add cost and complexity...not to mention that rail transport is slow. Sometimes VERY slow. 

Here is a standard rate calculator, but remember, these rates are for small cars....but large vans might be about double the price, since each transport can't haul as many large vans as it could haul small cars.

https://www.transportreviews.com/Quotes/

Use the buttons on the right side of the page to get ideas about average rates for average small cars.

 

[MrNoodly]

There have been a few times I wanted to be at a certain place far from me at a certain time. But rather than be at Point A until just before the event, traveling to Point B for the event, then returning to Point A after the event, I make the event just one destination on a slow migration, a slow circuit. My changes of camp, explorations, supply runs and other movements between now and then would be in the general direction of the event. And I would have more than the event in my travel plans. That way it's not, "Sheesh, you spent that much on gas just to go to that event!" It's, "I spent that much on gas for two months of nomadic living."

 

[eDJ_]

It's just a question I had no idea of an answer and wondered if anyone else here had.   My original musing was, "If a person was in Pittsburgh, PA, or further east, and wanted to attend the rally in Quartzsite...could they save any money by shipping their rig there opposed to driving there and back ?

Since I've been on this Forum,  I've noticed the number of people getting into this by buying an older rig with high mileage on it.  Many of them young people and a growing number of them are females. (the social side of this being quite intriguing to many of these new members) 

Thanks for posting that link tx2sturgis.

.....and Noodly, I agree,  drifting one's way along an itinerary would be the way to go.  It's why I mention that 2-2-2
system to new combers.  As for those who only get a few days a year for vacation attending rallies like those we speak of here may be a bit of a challenge.  Thus my wondering about shipping one's rig to distant destinations.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Some people ship RVs or vans in shipping containers all over the world...then fly to the destination, hop in the rig, and explore a whole continent...then do it again on the next continent.

Nothing wrong with it, but it ain't cheap. If you have the money, and/or not as much time, it's entirely doable.

 

[highdesertranger]

yeah I checked about shipping my truck and trailer to Alaska from So. California it was a lot cheaper to drive. highdesertranger

 

[Sky King]

Souunds like the "Bikers" that pay to have their bikes hauled to Sturgis. Why not get someone to tow it for you that's going there anyway?

 

[JD GUMBEE]

You know, if you could find one of the RV transport companies, you might be able to get a good deal from someone on a return trip. You never know.
The advantage between RV movers and craigslist being...at least the RV mover is not going to be a delusional speed-freak on a bender. (Most of the time. LOL)

 

[julianclar]

I think it's also worth thinking about how much it will cost (I'm talking about transportation) and how quickly the rig veda tractor trailer will reach you. For example, I used to transport goods all over America and I will tell you that this is a very tedious process. People who have never done this do not understand how long it will take. First, all the documents will be processed, then the time for transportation, customs control and everything like that. It is also worth considering the amount of transportation. Your cargo is quite heavy, so you should not count on a hundred bucks. The higher the weight of the cargo, the higher the cost of transportation. In any case, I wish you good luck and if someone decides to try it, then it's worth it!

 

[wayne49]

The people that use transport service most, is the folks who do the Burning Man thing.
They may not want to drive their expensive RVs all that way, and especially not the last miles onto the site.
Obviously, they have money to burn. Bada bum.

RV rental places will also use the transport method to deliver multiple RVs on site.

Watching traffic and people on US-95 passing through Nye County to Burning Man over the years.

 

[MrNoodly]

When you ship your vehicle you also have to ship yourself.

 

[BelgianPup]

The average price of gas right now across America is about $3.20. Est. 3,000 miles / (@15 mpg) = 200 gals x $3.20 avg = $640.