Can I move my TC on a flat bed trailer?

JohnAM wrote:
I use a Reico dolly with hitch to move my camper into the garage, since it is to tall to fit on the truck. It is an extra step but is not difficult.

I have decided against the use of my trailer....I did go ahead and purchase the torklift front tie downs for my truck...gonna wait on the rear ones until I make a decision on replacing my hitch/receiver for possible towing. And I will just use some cargo straps on the rear to secure the camper, just need to travel approx. 60 miles to get home.

But I like the Reico dolly concept for getting the TC from the driveway into my shop. I am going to go buy some of the heavy duty casters and build myself a dolly for moving from driveway to building. That will be nice inside the building to move around when not needed.

Thanks,
Phil

I've done it.
To load it I just welded up a long brace that goes across the front of the camper, bolts to the jack mounting brackets, and holds the jacks out about a foot on each side.

If you tie it down to the trailer, don't make the binders too tight. There should be a little give in the binders or tiedowns so you don't damage the anchor points on the camper.
If you don't already have the spring loaded turnbuckles, the nylon tiedown straps may be better than the chains and binders as they will stretch and give a bit.
If your trailer is too wide for the jacks to straddle, you may be able to use some pipe or poles to roll it on the trailer after removing the jacks. You would want to reinstall the jacks to remove the rollers so the camper sits flat on the trailer. A lot of work to remove and install the jacks twice but it should get the job done.
Also, if you have a rubber bed mat use that as well for extra grip between the trailer and camper. You will want one for the truck anyway when you mount the camper.
Good Luck.

One issue I'd be concerned about is, will the camper be supported by the jacks or will the camper base be sitting on the flatbed as per Woodhog's post. I'd be uncomfortable expecting the jacks to carry the camper while in motion, but you'd need a forklift of sorts to get it on and off the trailer if that is the case. If you can get the jacks outside the flatbed with the camper weight being supported the same as it would be on a pickup, go for it.

I use a Reico dolly with hitch to move my camper into the garage, since it is to tall to fit on the truck. It is an extra step but is not difficult.

Grit dog wrote:

woodhog wrote:
Off they go !

Omfg! The weight cops will freak out at that pic!

To the op, yes you can haul it on a flat bed if the jacks clear the sides of the trailer and nothing handles down below truck bed level on the camper like the rear overhang. Otherwise it's much more difficult to load.
Edit, just read your post above. It will be a pita to load up if the jacks don't clear the trailer.
I'd spend a couple hours installing the tie downs on the truck since you need em anyway rather than time jerry rigging the camper onto a trailer.
Gettin it into your shop is a separate issue at this point. If driveway and shop are paved and flat/level you could build or buy dollies to set the camper on to roll it in the shop, but again not real practical to do regularly.

That's the conclusion I have come to also...I really do appreciate everyone's feedback. Being new to all this it helps me to hear from others who have experience with TC's.

woodhog wrote:
Off they go !

Omfg! The weight cops will freak out at that pic!

To the op, yes you can haul it on a flat bed if the jacks clear the sides of the trailer and nothing handles down below truck bed level on the camper like the rear overhang. Otherwise it's much more difficult to load.
Edit, just read your post above. It will be a pita to load up if the jacks don't clear the trailer.
I'd spend a couple hours installing the tie downs on the truck since you need em anyway rather than time jerry rigging the camper onto a trailer.
Gettin it into your shop is a separate issue at this point. If driveway and shop are paved and flat/level you could build or buy dollies to set the camper on to roll it in the shop, but again not real practical to do regularly.

The only issue is the capacity of the trailer. When you said "small trailer" I was envisioning a single axle 5x8 or something like that. That camper weighs close to 4000lbs, I'm sure.

Since you're using a tandem-axle car trailer, you've got plenty of capacity.

Of course getting it on the trailer is another matter. Do the front jacks have dually swing-out brackets? If not maybe you just need to install a set. You'd have to support the front of the camper on cribbing so you could remove each jack.

Thanks guys! The seller does not have his truck any longer or I would have considered having him deliver it. But that would have still presented me with the problem of not being able to get it in my building because of the height. I need it lower to the ground (like on a trailer of some sort) to be able to roll it on the ground.

I do have a 18' flatbed car hauler but it is 102" wide and causes an issue backing under the TC jacks. I'm sure I can figure something out....I just needed to hear that there was no reason why it couldn't rest on a trailer. But as you guys pointed out it was probably delivered on one at some point in it's life. I will just investigate the need to block it up so as not to damage anything under.

Thanks,
Phil

I,ve seen it done ,but they had big square blocks of foam on each corner.