I finally took the plunge and hired on as an RV transporter with one of the companies in Elkhart, IN. Here's my first trip report:
I posted some time ago that I was bored sitting around the house after retiring last March. So I went and bought a honking big F350 dually and now I am delivering RV trailers for one of the companies in Indiana. I made my very first trip Thursday to Denton Texas and returned yesterday.
Did the orientation on Tuesday and Wednesday for the new transport company at Elkhart IN. Once we were done, they asked if I wanted to start right away and deliver a trailer and being dumb as a door knob I said, “sure”.
Went to Goshen Indiana terminal and picked up the 30 foot 5th wheel in the picture below. We weren’t really sure what we were doing (the SO was with me) but got the stupid $40,000 trailer hooked up and we blasted off. Stop at a BP truck stop on I-80/94 and topped off my two gas tanks (main is 38 gallons and the aux is 98 gallons) for $302.00.
After paying for it, I staggered back to the truck and trailer in shock and we were on our way.
Because we had absolutely zero experience pulling a RV trailer, our conversation consisted of things like “what the hell was that noise” “Are the tires supposed to be so noisy?”, “I hope nothing is wrong, that thing is really bouncing around back there” and “And what the hell was THAT noise??” The SO was going to call one of you guys and ask for advice but then we decided (because the trailer hadn’t actually passed us yet) that every thing was okay.
We finally reached back home where we parked in front of the house (so all the neighbors would think that we had just blown 40K on a 5th wheel trailer). I crashed after drinking three beers to try and settle my nerves and then, next morning, kissed Mary goodbye (actually it was quite tearful as we both fully expected that I was about to die in a fiery RV crash) and I headed for Denton Texas.
RV Tip number 1: Do not attempt to drive right through the middle of downtown St Louis with a 30 foot travel trailer in tow during rush hour. (I actually was quite proud of myself and screamed involuntarily in terror only once but the constant whimpering was irksome after a while).
Made it to Tulsa for the first night and cleverly parked between two bobtail semi tractors so I could catch some sleep in the back seat of the truck. Stupid semi drivers left their trucks running all night and between that and realizing I really have to lose some weight if I am planning on sleeping in the back seat, I got very little rest.
Blasted off as soon as my 10 hours off duty time was up and headed for Texas down the Oklahoma Turnpike. It was still dark and I didn’t see any storm damage. I kept moving because I was really terrified of damaging the trailer. I filled the fuel tanks at Oklahoma City because diesel was only $2.97 and this time it only cost me a measly $200.
Got to the dealer in Denton TX and learned that they wouldn’t accept the trailer unless it was washed so I went to a truck wash where I was told there was a 4-5 hour wait. I called the dealer and told them that I may not make it back until after 5 pm where upon they told me they closed at 5 and wouldn’t accept the trailer on Saturday, "we’ll see you Monday morning”. I panicked and quickly located an RV camp ground in nearby Fort Worth that had an open to the public trailer washing facility. I turned around and headed for it.
RV Tip number 2: Do not attempt to drive through down town Fort Worth with a 30 foot 5th wheel trailer during rush hour. (I’m getting better at this, I was able to stop whimpering long enough to give the magic single upraised finger at some cow poke who cut me off when he was changing lanes, Then I remembered that Texas was a concealed carry state and I went back to whimpering)
Found the RV place and changed $20 into quarters. While I was washing the trailer (they actually have a second story catwalk on both sides so you can wash the top of the trailer) it began to rain. Hard.
Finished washing the trailer and considered changing into dry clothes (from both the spray and the rain) and decided I really needed to shed the 10,800 pounds I was pulling and headed back to the dealer.
The guy receiving the trailer just signed for it, he didn’t even come outside to see the stupid thing and how clean it was.
I then recovered my transporter license plate, my break away battery and unhooked the stupid trailer.
Then I headed home. Driving back through Oklahoma, I finally saw all the storm damage. The entire Oklahoma Turnpike (I-44) runs through the Sac and Fox and Cherokee Nation reservations and is heavily wooded. Every single tree, for miles and miles, was down. They are going to have some serious forest fires next summer. http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_3154...001%20copy.jpg
BudMan
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BudMan5
"A couple of quarter sticks of dynamite can turn an otherwise dull day fun!"
2006 F350 Crew Cab 2WD DRW 98 gal Transfer Flow aux tank, Crew Cab Sleeper, Ride Rite Air Bags with Dual Air Command II compressor and tank, B&W Companion 5'er and Gooseneck, Garmin GPS, XM Radio
Wow, sounds like an interesting experience, and it seems like you'll be better prepared for your next trip. I have no idea how the RV transport business works, but I'm assuming that they pay 100% of your fuel costs, plus mileage? How about the wear and tear on your truck? I'm just curious how things work. Thanks!!
Glad you had fun on your first trip. I know they say you can't sleep in the trailer but get yourself a pillow and a couple of blankets . Most transporters do. Get a bunch of quarters saved up for the wash also because you never know when the change machine is out of order.
Are you going to do another trip ?
It does get easier........
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O5 F-250 SuperDuty CC SWR 4x4 Lariat
8' box 6.0 PSD Tow Comand new 04/05
2001 40' Alfa Toyhouse
Pulls better stock than my 01 with a programmer
New engine at 42k . Hope my luck with this 6.0 is changed .
To be honest with you, it does sound like fun. I love towing and long trips.
I have a few years (at least 30) before I can really think about retiring, but transporting sounds like fun. I've been towing something with a truck since I was 16. From a little 17' bow-rider with a Ranger, to a 30' TT with my current truck.
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2006 F-250 Lariat PSD Fx4 Shortbed Extended Cab, 4" MBRP Cat Back (have the DP just not installed yet), Fumoto Valve, Viper 160XVL Remote start
Engine born on date- 5/13/05 (a Friday no less)
Great story Budman!! I have not laughed so hard in a long time,at least you know what to expect on your next trip. BTW I don't think anyone in Texas that is Licsenced to carry would shoot you for telling them they were #1 (I know I wouldn't anyway) [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]
__________________ 2005 F250 XLT wedgewood blue 4x4 C/C SWB,6.0L PSD, Auto.(Member of 05 STC Failure Club ) 2006 Expedition Eddie Bauer,5.4L (Wife's) NRA Life Member. TSRA Life member.
My intention is to build up as much 'tow' time as possible including heading for Vancouver and Alberta.
Truthfully, I have piled a bunch of equipment into my truck and I am not sure that I will get the cost back any time soon, if ever.
But I'm driving the truck of my dreams and still adding equipment to the interior. I just removed my between the seats console and installed a lap top stand. The console needed to come out so I have a clear passage to the rear cabin. I will be installing a crew cab sleeper conversion this weekend which will make it legal to sleep in the truck.
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BudMan5
"A couple of quarter sticks of dynamite can turn an otherwise dull day fun!"
2006 F350 Crew Cab 2WD DRW 98 gal Transfer Flow aux tank, Crew Cab Sleeper, Ride Rite Air Bags with Dual Air Command II compressor and tank, B&W Companion 5'er and Gooseneck, Garmin GPS, XM Radio
Great write up BudMan5. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]
Great story. Glad to hear things went well.
If ya ever make it out to CA remember that you can can only go 55 when towing and you also have to stay in the RT lane- ignore either and the CHP will be more than happy to give a written souvienr of your time here,(as I heard from lots of drivers).
Please keep posting your adventures.
Enjoy your new line of work & stay safe.
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Cranky old guy with a '05 F250 C/C shortbed.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: texrob1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great story Budman!! I have not laughed so hard in a long time,at least you know what to expect on your next trip. BTW I don't think anyone in Texas that is Licsenced to carry would shoot you for telling them they were #1 (I know I wouldn't anyway) [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>Great adventure. Looks like you changed some trim on your new ride from previous posts, or maybe it just looks better with the TT. Is your SO planning to trip with you?
Oh, and don’t worry about that concealed carry thing, we were all pack’n’ before that silly law anyway. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif[/img]
I have added a lot to the truck but it should look the same.
I added a B&W Companion hitch with turnover ball goose) a 98 gal aux tank with Trak II fuel monitoring, a 12" high tool box to replace the tail gate, a Garmin Quest II GPS, XM Radio a really cheap lap top mount and I have a crew cab sleeper coming from these folks:
That's supposed to be shipped on the 20th so i won't have it for this ride. As you can see from the photos on the CCS website, that will change the outside appearance.
BudMan
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BudMan5
"A couple of quarter sticks of dynamite can turn an otherwise dull day fun!"
2006 F350 Crew Cab 2WD DRW 98 gal Transfer Flow aux tank, Crew Cab Sleeper, Ride Rite Air Bags with Dual Air Command II compressor and tank, B&W Companion 5'er and Gooseneck, Garmin GPS, XM Radio
I took the rear seat out of our 2000. With a piece of plywood and a camping air mat I was able to make a nice bed for myself. Look at that before you go for the big money of a sleeper.
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1996 F-250 extended cab long box five speed. Home made Tymar, 203 Stat, 60 gal in bed fuel cell, 315/75's, no muffler, ebpv welded open 3" to 3" DP, Babies. 290K, still chugging, and still smoking when cold.
UPDATED 8/1/08 Replace so far. 1 LUK flywheel+clutch, 2 thermostats, 2 set of brakes, 1 set of calipers, 5 CPS, 3 sets of tires, 2 Transfer pumps, 1 Injector modual, 1 Computer, 2 Alt, 2 sets of batteries, 1 Water pump, 6 Belts, 1 PS hose, 2 Sets ball joints, 2 set u-joints, 2 carrier bearing, 2 Speed sensors, 1 oil pres sender, 1 temp sender, 4 sets of e-break cables, 1 front fuel tank, 2 rear fuel tanks, 2 set of glow plugs, 6 Glow plug relays, Oil galley o-rings, Turbo pedistal o-rings, EBPV o-rings, 3 sets of Injector O-rings, 1 Vac-pump, 1 new carpet.Total $$$ in repairs v/s miles driven = 3.0 cents per mile. Add fuel to that it jumps to 14.8 cents per mile over the life of the truck.
Average per mile is $1.10 for Conus, $1.15 for Canada.
The requirements for the "sleeping berth" are in DOT regulation 49 CFR 393.76. They requires a minimum of 75 inches in length. The rear of the F350 is only 72". DOT Officers strongly enforce this reg. The crew cab sleeper uses the window extensions to add a total of 6 inches to the length of the bed which makes it legal.
BudMan
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BudMan5
"A couple of quarter sticks of dynamite can turn an otherwise dull day fun!"
2006 F350 Crew Cab 2WD DRW 98 gal Transfer Flow aux tank, Crew Cab Sleeper, Ride Rite Air Bags with Dual Air Command II compressor and tank, B&W Companion 5'er and Gooseneck, Garmin GPS, XM Radio
Slide your seats forward and then fold them forward.
Plenty of room.
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1996 F-250 extended cab long box five speed. Home made Tymar, 203 Stat, 60 gal in bed fuel cell, 315/75's, no muffler, ebpv welded open 3" to 3" DP, Babies. 290K, still chugging, and still smoking when cold.
UPDATED 8/1/08 Replace so far. 1 LUK flywheel+clutch, 2 thermostats, 2 set of brakes, 1 set of calipers, 5 CPS, 3 sets of tires, 2 Transfer pumps, 1 Injector modual, 1 Computer, 2 Alt, 2 sets of batteries, 1 Water pump, 6 Belts, 1 PS hose, 2 Sets ball joints, 2 set u-joints, 2 carrier bearing, 2 Speed sensors, 1 oil pres sender, 1 temp sender, 4 sets of e-break cables, 1 front fuel tank, 2 rear fuel tanks, 2 set of glow plugs, 6 Glow plug relays, Oil galley o-rings, Turbo pedistal o-rings, EBPV o-rings, 3 sets of Injector O-rings, 1 Vac-pump, 1 new carpet.Total $$$ in repairs v/s miles driven = 3.0 cents per mile. Add fuel to that it jumps to 14.8 cents per mile over the life of the truck.
2005 F250 XLT wedgewood blue 4x4 C/C SWB,6.0L PSD, Auto.(Member of 05 STC Failure Club 
) 2006 Expedition Eddie Bauer,5.4L (Wife's) NRA Life Member. TSRA Life member.
2005 Chev Duramax/Allison 3500LS DRW Crew Cab
2006 Chev 6.0L/4L80e 3500WT DRW Ex-Cab 9'Flat-GN
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