Forum Discussion

Kaz's avatar
Kaz
Explorer
May 05, 2015

RV Delivery Service

We're thinking about a family gathering out West, and I'm trying to figure out an option for my son (who has a pop-up camper) but who can't afford to take off 3 or 4 days driving each way. One option I was wondering about is an RV delivery service of some kind, like someone who would for a fee haul the trailer from the Atlanta area to, say, Jackson WY (and of course we have to get it back too). I Googled "RV delivery service" and got a fair number of hits, but they mostly seemed designed for motorhomes, or 5th wheels, or truck-bed kinds of deliveries (and priced accordingly).

I feel like I'm missing something obvious. Any suggestions? Thanks very much,

Skip
  • Kaz wrote:
    Kaz wrote:
    (snip, snip)I was hoping there's an easy way to find something like starving college students.(snip, snip)


    Well, upon further research, I did find this article: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/how-to-drive-across-the-country-for-free/ that references this site: http://www.autodriveaway.com. I'll keep doing some research, but anyone have any thoughts/experience with companies such as that?

    Skip
    That autodriveaway deals with vehicles, not trailers. I'd not trust a pop-up to be towed and I think many delivery companies would dispatch a flat bed to load it. As others have said, you'll be paying BIG money to transport it, better to rent or buy a tent.
  • I would think that with a college kid you'd need to supply the tow vehicle as well.
  • Kaz wrote:
    DownTheAvenue wrote:
    Atlanta to Jackson, Wy is 1900 miles towing it out and back is 3800 miles. With a going rate of over $1.00 per mile, the cost could exceed the value of the pop up! Even shipping would be very expensive. Renting a unit there makes the most sense.

    Right. I was hoping there's an easy way to find something like starving college students. When I was in college, I would have taken a week to drive someone's car cross-county for a few dollars, but that was back in the day when young people actually had to repay their student loans. (I know ... that was snide ... I take it back.) Unless someone comes up with something really creative, I'll assume you're right and go the rental route or something like that.
    Simple math will answer your question.
    3800 miles at 10 miles per gallon is 380 gallons $2.50 gallon $950.00
    Three day trip, so two nights each way in a cheap hotel $300.00. 5 nights in Jackson, Wyoming while your family vacations $750.00 minimum. Food etc. for 10 days $200.00. That's $2200 in expenses, minimum before they make a dollar one. If they don't stay in Jackson, they would need to fly home for those 5 days, so you don't save a penny. If they drove your vehicle as the tow vehicle, they would be stuck in a hotel with no way to go anywhere. If they drove their own vehicle, you would probably need to rent a car or something to get around, either way another expense. The RV transport services you see are almost always geared to relocating seasonal RVs, where the big outlay of money is spread over a longer period of time. The best option for your family might be an RV park with cabins or other lodging. Use your RV and your family rent a cabin. You would be in the same location. The Virginian might be a good choice in Jackson. Further south Headwaters Resort, located between Yellowstone and Grand Teton would also fit the bill.
  • Not even factory RV delivery tows popups, the cost is just too high relative to value of the RV. Popups get stacked on a flatbed truck or trailer, two to four per trip, sometimes up-ended, sometimes sharing with a small travel trailer.

    I ran into this when I asked a dealer about ordering me one, something he did not have in stock. He told me it would be a long time before delivery because of the need to make up a load going to one destination or a few places near each other. Much the same way cars are delivered to dealers.
  • Just an FYI, the first week of June I am delivering a classic boat from Okla. City to Chico, Ca. 1720 miles. I'm charging $1.25 per mile, so a little over $2100 for the delivery. About five days of my time, I'll pay the gas and hotel from the proceeds.
    That being said, I think the rental option is your best option, or maybe he could just get a nice hotel room in Jackson and you can play chauffer each day.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,102 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 18, 2025