Transport Company Recommendations

[rvlifer]

My rv was seriously damaged and i need to have it trailered from Colorado back to Elkhart. Can't be towed. The rv is 44ft long and 13ft 0in tall when sitting on the ground so might need special permits to move due to the height. What transport companies would you recommend that can handle it? And any idea how much it might cost?

I know you guys are gonna want to know more about what happened but dont want to say anything until i talk to a lawyer

 

[Derby6]

Yea that's gonna be pricey. I'd call some local wrecking companies that are equipped with wreckers and low boys for big rigs. Also would look at some companies that do heavy haul.
Good Luck.

Quick Google search showed Beeline auto transport.

 

[Kevin Means]

We just had a 6X6 Military LMTV shipped to Arizona from Illinois on a low boy. The company is called, "Get Loaded Transport, LLC." They're out of 806 E 134th St in Grandview, Missouri 64030. I dealt with "Anita" Her number is (417) 231-5082.
Kev

 

[rvlifer]

I know it is gonna be expensive. Hoping less than $5k but if they have to crane it to load and unload onto the trailer could be a lot more.

Tried shiply but their site isnt great. Got 40 or 50 quotes but when i tried to send more info including dimensions and weight it flagged me thinking i was trying to send my phone number and break their rules.

suggestions on what to look for and research in a transport company would be appreciated. Last thing i need right now is more damage to the rv.

Fyi on coachnet not covering the cost. I am not surprised but am disappointed as i picked them for exactly this scenario. At least my insurance will cover some.

 

[Derby6]

I don't think craning is an option -- No pick up points?? and even with spreaders there will be some pressure on sides? Fine to recover a total wreck but not what your doing.
I'd ensure you have lowest point from ground measurements at front and rear bumper areas. Then know rear overhang from rear axle. It's going to take alot of cribbing and/or very long ramps to ease up onto lowboy.

 

[rvlifer]

I don't think craning is an option -- No pick up points?? and even with spreaders there will be some pressure on sides? Fine to recover a total wreck but not what your doing.
I'd ensure you have lowest point from ground measurements at front and rear bumper areas. Then know rear overhang from rear axle. It's going to take alot of cribbing and/or very long ramps to ease up onto lowboy.

The folks i talked today mentioned it. I dont know of any pick up points on this 5th wheel. Cant attach to the frame along the sides as that would crush the skirting. Maybe we can push it up onto the trailer. I need to get it back to the manufacturer and lippert to assess whether the kingpin and frame can be trusted

 

[rvlifer]

I should let everyone know that as far as i know no one was injured. The rv was parked.

I might be spending christmas in elkhart. Yippee

 

[SMR]

We spent 15 Christmas in Elkhart and yippee about sums it up....lol

 

[Derby6]

Oh a fiver will be easier —unless hitch pin unuseable for any reason. I was thinking big RV, even a diesel pusher.

 

[rvlifer]

We spent 15 Christmas in Elkhart and yippee about sums it up....lol

What did you do there that was christmasy? Elkhart isnt top of my list for the holidays esp when i will be there alone and dont know for how long

 

[Mr Lars]

Not able to be repaired at a local dealer associated with the manufacturer?
I would talk with legal counsel/ insurance before even attempting to move, my guess with the dollars involved the insurance company will ‘total in place’.

 

[rvlifer]

You guys are asking good questions and providing good info.
The manufacturer builds to order and doesnt have a dealer network. Couldnt find any reputable repair place that would touch it because of the kingpin. I thought rv renovators in tempe would do it but even they passed. My insurance company needs a quote from a repair place to decide on the claim. Would need an awful lot of damage to total.

Funny but i always considered a 44ft 5th wheel to be a big rv lol

 

[Onyrlef]

You guys are asking good questions and providing good info.
The manufacturer builds to order and doesnt have a dealer network. Couldnt find any reputable repair place that would touch it because of the kingpin. I thought rv renovators in tempe would do it but even they passed. My insurance company needs a quote from a repair place to decide on the claim. Would need an awful lot of damage to total.

Funny but i always considered a 44ft 5th wheel to be a big rv lol

If no one is willing to assume liability for repairing the RV then it's apparently not repairable. So now you're going to spend thousands, including hiring a crane on both ends, with no commitment from the insurance carrier to pay for any of that, to trailer a 5th wheel to Elkhart, Indiana thinking they're going to do what no one else will, but might provide you with an estimate of the damage so you can maybe make a claim?

 

[Rene T]

If no one is willing to assume liability for repairing the RV then it's apparently not repairable. So now you're going to spend thousands, including hiring a crane on both ends, with no commitment from the insurance carrier to pay for any of that, to trailer a 5th wheel to Elkhart, Indiana thinking they're going to do what no one else will, but might provide you with an estimate of the damage so you can maybe make a claim?

Maybe the insurance company would pay for a factory rep to fly to your location and evaluate the damage

 

[rvlifer]

If no one is willing to assume liability for repairing the RV then it's apparently not repairable. So now you're going to spend thousands, including hiring a crane on both ends, with no commitment from the insurance carrier to pay for any of that, to trailer a 5th wheel to Elkhart, Indiana thinking they're going to do what no one else will, but might provide you with an estimate of the damage so you can maybe make a claim?

The manufacturer has a manufacturing facility. They can do things that a repair facility cannot. They are a block or 2 away from lippert so lippert can verify the kingpin. The claim is already opened and i will either have to pay the deductible or it will be totalled once we obtain the current status. My only other option is to salvage or abandon the rv leaving me with the loan payoff out of pocket.

 

[rvlifer]

Maybe the insurance company would pay for a factory rep to fly to your location and evaluate the damage

Good thought but the rv will eventually have to go back to elkhart to be repaired anyways. The rv will have to be disassembled including removing the front cap to assess the damage. Dont have a good place to do that and wouldnt want it opened up exposed to a colorado winter. Just got more snow last night.

Lippert might travel this far for enough money but rv factory isnt a large company and cant send guys out without disrupting their schedule.

 

[SMR]

Does Lippert or the manufacturer have any suggestions for a transport company?
Will you be staying in the trailer or renting a place during the repair..
Left Elkhart June of 2016 to go fulltime, not sure if any of the few things we did at Christmas are still happening, if you do end up there I will see what I can find.

 

[rvlifer]

The manufacturer is the only place i can find that is willing and able to look at the rv and do an assessment. We bought it new and have had a lot of work done by them on it over the years. Personally i was hoping rv renovators would look at it. Would rather be in phoenix than elkhart this time of year.

 

[SMR]

I agree, we are currently in the Phoenix area.

 

[rvlifer]

Does Lippert or the manufacturer have any suggestions for a transport company?
Will you be staying in the trailer or renting a place during the repair..
Left Elkhart June of 2016 to go fulltime, not sure if any of the few things we did at Christmas are still happening, if you do end up there I will see what I can find.

I will rent a place while i am there. I only plan to stay long enough to get the repairs started then i will get out of their way and let them do what needs to be done. They have gone above and beyond on warranty work and other repairs so i have no concerns about any work they will do. It is their rv so they will be motivated to do a good job. I guess it is possible they could have changed in the last couple of years since i have been back there but i think they are my best shot at gettong it repaired properly