Moving my work truck around the USA

[Shelby Griggs]

It looks like 2004 will see me working in just about all 4 corners of the US and everything in between. I live in Central Oregon, and am just now coming off of a two week assignment in Omaha, NE. Drove to Omaha, and will need to be in Shreveport, LA by mid January for a couple of weeks, and from there I am not sure.



I could fly and then use a rental vehicle, but I prefer working out of my work truck, because of the need for lots of equipment, it would be tough to air freight everything.



Looking into the possibility of shipping the truck with everything I will need on board and then just flying myself out to the project areas.



Questions: Does anyone know who I would contact about doing something like that? Any general costs I can expect to pay? The vehicle in question is a 2001 2500 4X4 with a utility bed, 84" wide 86" high and however long a 2500 long bed quad cab is, I think something like 21'. The weight will be around 8600# loaded.



On my recent trip to Omaha, I saw a number of flatbed or drop deck semi's hauling a single vehicle or two, I assume as haul back freight, probably whatever they could find. Is that a less expensive way to go, they say a dedicated car hauler or even a hotshot car hauler as I know some in this forum do?



I wouldn't mind the drive, but I will add a ton of miles to my vehicle in the next 12 months plus it takes away from home and other more productive tasks I need to be doing.



Any advice or pointers from the membership would be greatly appreciated.



Shelby

 

[Lurch]

With your time frame, couple weeks here, couple weeks there, shipping won't really be practical. Most auto shipping contracts want at least a couple weeks notice and still allow for a two week window for delivery. About the only way you could do it would be as a "rush" ship and then it's simply not going to be cost effective. Probaly the best you could do is have/pay someone else to drive it for you. This would still rack up the mileage but give you back your personal time. Don't know where you stand on letting others drive your truck.



My . 02



Lurch

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Lurch,



Thanks, that is exactly the kind of info I am looking for, just trying to explore my options.



In 90+K a few other TDR memebers have driven my truck and the dealer a couple of test drives, but yea, I essentially haven't let anyone else drive it. My wife has driven it maybe 20 miles in the last 3 years. I guess I wouldn't be opposed to someone else driving, it just hasn't happened yet.



Shelby

 

[tpuig]

You might try a peek at this list, it's a board for folks offering and looking for loads hauled all over the place.

http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/haulquery.pl

Lots of empty trucks going somewhere everyday.



Kind of a tough call, because you're probably looking at about $1000 for a hauler to move your truck each time. You can't work without your truck, and trusting an unknown company with it would be tough. Fuel prices seem to dictate the cost. On the other hand, you'll have to spend a couple days driving and the cost of fuel, food and motels will add up.

In theory you should be able to deduct the costs, but you still have to spend the time and effort to get there.

Good luck with the shuffles.

TP

 

[GeneA]

I'd say drive it and enjoy the drive. When I was commercially delivering RV's around the country, I would really appreciate the bob tail driving after a delivery. You can easily make it half way across this USA in two days of driving. As for mileage that is not even a consideration for these trucks.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Thanks for the additional responses. I am in Cheyenne, WY this morning, about 3" of new snow, yuk. Kind of kicking back for a late start, the sun is out and the roads should be improving soon.



GeneA, I just spent two weeks in Bellevue, I don't know if you saw my other post about some of the Omaha guys getting together while I was there, but it just didn't work out. I would have stayed an extra day, except I am trying to get back to Oregon for Christmas, you guys are almost like family, but my wife and kids DO come first!



Shelby

 

[Spooled-up]

I'd just install a satellite radio and enjoy the drive. Think of all the TDR mileage stickers you'll have!