Truckers: Need help Mving a load CA to MD

[special-K]

I have a service body for a 3/4t single wheel truck I need moved to points east. I'm in Maryland but I'm willing to run to the Mississippi or maybe a bit more if there's a way to get it that far. I realize this is a large single unit to handle, about the size of a pickup box. I don't know where to start. all I know is I really want it. Does anyone have suggestions, know where I could start inquiring, or know someone who would haul such a load? The price is right and the devil is in the transport. I'm even considering u-hauling it back. I don't know. it's a west coast style utility bed screaming to be mounted on my '72. That's all I know. Any thoughts?

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Tim, If no one answers on here, you might want to try ATHS and/or Just Old Trucks as many of the guys on there are still on the road and could use an extra back haul.

Bill

[special-K]

Thanks Bill. Naturally I started here since it's my other home. But those would be better, I'm sure. I should start searching options through shippers. It's been for sale for a while and pictures show it on a rolling frame with at least a bare cab. I asked about the whole deal but no answer yet. Non-operable, yet much easier/flexible with loading and the difference in shipping could maybe pay for what must be a not too awful cab. I want it because it's the low profile style you never saw back east, it's same color as my unrestored truck (white), and my truck is from California. It would be just right for me and I'd have something like no one else w/o being fancy or about the dollar. Best thing is it would be about being a real truck I will really use 3/4s of the year. I'm making my K2500 GMC into a K3500-ish truck with Dana 60 front/HO52 No-Spin rear, and TH400/NP205...and 383 for torque. It won't be done till it sports a winch up front!

Are you going to be able to come to the national show in York?

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by special-K

Are you going to be able to come to the national show in York?

No as usual, lol.

I'm going to get to one yet though !!

Work keep me pretty busy, but this spring has been extra busy.

I'll be sure glad to see any pictures that you can take though.

Bill

[special-K]

I will be doing that for sure.

[68c10airstream]

Special K, look into travel trailer manufacturers. They go one way all the time and return empty. I don't know about the lack of a chassis underneath it but it's worth a phone call. I was looking at an old airstream on the west coast to be brought back to the midwest and it was doable and fairly reasonable through jayco trailers in indiana. Then from indiana they can go anywhere and have a holding yard if indiana worked for me as a pick up point. Not the quickest way but reasonable.

[special-K]

I've had trucks shipped to Indianapolis from CA, flew out from here (very cheap/$150), and drove the rest of the way. The cost was 1/2 on shipping, while it was more than 3/4s of the way here.
I'm not sure on the dead weight thing. It seems it would have to be a load once deal, probably on a flatbed. Looking at this it seems impossible, but I just have to see if I can make something happen somehow. Might just get lucky, but a empty return, or even that much empty space, across the country is a long shot (no pun intended). Willing to pay, but also don't want it handled a lot to avoid risking damage

[special-K]

Just found a ride from Arkansas to here. now to get it to Arkansas. I wonder how far fetched it would be to fly out and rent a truck I could drive to Arkansas

[Cash3481]

Tim,
I have the guys number that brought my 72 from Colorado to Kansas in the glove box at the house. He said he's all over delivering trucks and cars. He has a 3 car trailer and stiches up the country delivering /vehicles/stuff. Ill PM you his number tonight.
Also ...I sold a bed to a guy in NY that hauls all over (east of the Mississippi). He sat the bed on the top front position of his trailer! just a thought...
I'm covering a shift for one of my guys tonight so it may be later in the day tomorrow after this old guy gets up!

[special-K]

No hurry, Mike. Thanks for the effort. Time for me to get downright resourceful. used to pride myself on that, back before the internet. When that first came out and people told me how great it was because you could find anything anywhere, I said "I already do that. I have no need for that"

[esbstuff]

If it makes it to Mid Mo, I might could store for a while... My zip is 65584 if it helps.

[special-K]

Well, thank you for that. I will definitely keep that in mind. I have been wanting to do a road trip and, truthfully, would love this to be my chance. I'd just assume run half way across the country (or all the way across) and back for some old truck part than fly and lay around some resort sippin' frozen drink concoctions or other tourist trap. I do like to stop and enjoy what mother nature has created for us in other parts, as well as meet and chat with good old salt of the Earth folks. My dream for when (if) I retire is travel the old 2-lanes all over the nation, from before the interstates...as much as still possible. People make a big stink out of Rt66...and it truly is a precious road (traveled it quite a bit), but there are countless other old roads stitched all across our country that take you over the hills, through the valleys, along the rivers, through rural America, and all the little towns. This is the America I love.

[Advanced Design]

Would it fit in the back of a large Uhaul truck? I believe 47fasttoys hauled his COE cab from Montana back to Carolinas in the back of a Uhaul. That was way less expensive than shipping the entire truck.

Maybe you could look at it as a road trip vacation. Fly out and Uhaul it back. I agree, would beat a resort style vacation.

[jdl71]

Originally Posted by esbstuff

If it makes it to Mid Mo, I might could store for a while... My zip is 65584 if it helps.

I'm only about an hour east of esbstuff and if needed could come help with labor, loading, etc. BTW he is right on Route 66.

[special-K]

The U-haul thing is something I've considered. The mileage charge would sure add up, combined with fuel. I would definitely be sleeping in the back!...or under the stars. The E350 box high cube would do it.

A new utility bed is up to $5,500 now, I believe, and Readings are the only ones I like that are available in this part of the country. their low profile isn't all that low. I have to admit I am looking for style as much as utility. I have a look in mind and this is my vintage truck I want to continue to use in my work 3/4 of the year, but with style! My only other choice would be a long Stepside with side bins. But, those bins were never popular around here and about impossible to find.

Here is a Reading standard on a '71 and a low-profile on a '95:

[jdl71]

I would think that would fit on a flatbed trailer. Just my .02 but here's an idea. Fly out there, rent a uhaul pickup(much cheaper than the van) and buy a trailer. When you get home return the truck and sell the trailer.

[rcrahn]

You might check out a website like Uship.com

I haven't used them. Perhaps somebody on this board has and can comment.

Start here

www.uship.com/find

[special-K]

I thought about a truck and trailer. Maybe rent a trailer, too. if I was better situated I would buy a trailer and keep it. Maybe I could take a new truck home to demo, then bring it back after a week and say it didn't haul to my expectations. That would work, right?
I knew about Uship but not too sure about trusting the truck body to who knows who moving it around using who knows what onto who knows what who knows how many times.

[jdl71]

I take it you've seen shipping wars then.

[Clyde65]

Where are you getting the bed from? Do you trust them?

What about buying a couple of those furniture dolly's set it on its nose on those to the outside, wrap cardboard around it and use uship! sounds like it would work...

Good luck!

[special-K]

That is a good thought. Yes, I do trust the person and the lot where it is located. I wondered about flipping it on it's top. First bolt a 2x front to back on box tops (4 holes). Then bolt 4x blocks at four points (cut ends 45 deg). Put a few 2x pieces crossways between front-back ones (fasten to them). That way it could be moved by fork lift from 4 sides and skidded. Flipping it over just gives a nice flat area to work with.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Tim, if you're gonna crate it you might check with one of the regulated freight carriers like Roadway/Yellow or ABF. ABF offers lift gate service, and if you have it shipped to one of their terminals near you where you pick it up there, the freight rate is a lot cheaper than having them deliver it to you.

[special-K]

Thanks Bill, I should check into that. I know I checked with ABF 8-9 years ago on shipping a short Stepside broke down on a pallet shipped from TX. That was smaller/lighter, a good while ago, and it was about $500. I know I have to be willing to pay to play here. I'm guessing this will be a good bit. I'll have far more in this bed to get it here than most would even consider spending on a bed...let alone some old ugly tool body

[jbclassix]

what part of cali?

[special-K]

I was going to post where, but I think I drew attention to it and now there is a buyer. It was a long shot with the logistics or I would have had it paid for. I saw it hadn't sold from a while back and got worked up on it. I have another one in mind now, that is closer and on a running truck (more money). It's almost as low of a profile. definitely one from not around here.