Moving a classic truck X-country...ideas ?

[Drdogface]

My P car sold a couple days ago..just too stove up to enjoy it much anymore...and I'm buying Chocaholic's 49 Chebby pickup. I'm in Kalif and he's in Ga. I'd love to do a road trip but not both ways. Has anyone ever hauled a car in a rental moving van/truck ? It would be a hoot to do that and take mostly back roads (Blue Highways..yes I read it) most of the way back. My wife is excited to do the trip too.

So I need ideas. Dunno if truck rental agencies allow such...or if its doable. Choc and I are not in a bind for time at all...would be more fun in Spring anyway. There are likely a few ways to do this that I haven't thought of.. I need to haul it enclosed..not an open trailer.

[jwhcars]

When I helped move my sister from Ca to Pa we put her Austin 1100 inside the truck. To load and unload we used a loading dock with a ramp. I also did the same thing from Pa to SC.

[Mrmerlin]

I took a Toyota FJ40 in a 24 ft Ryder, it fit and there was plenty of room
plus 2 motorcycles,
Went from SC to UT truck would do 68mph max it was governed, used a stick on the gas pedal as the throttle spring was very strong ,
so it didnt take long to get a sore foot .
hardest part was finding a loading dock to load unload.

Used 2X4s screwed down in front and back of each tire to provide a chocking effect.. Otherwise drilling through the floor for a tie down could be an issue,
used tree sticks to refill the drilled out holes when finished

[ckelly78z]

A loading dock would be the much prefered way of loading a box truck, individual ramps scare the crap out of me, and can be quite dangerous on a taller vehicle like a truck. I think once you rent it, it's not really thier business what you do with it as long as you return it in good shape.

As far as choking the wheels, you can get some of those half curved camping wheel chocks, put them on both sides of each wheel, and then run a ratchet strap around both chocks and the wheel and tighten down. You may still want to do the used 2x4s as well, but the chocks will keep it from rolling.

[Drdogface]

Well, thanks guys. It does sound doable and the loading dock question is one I thought of as well...also tie down. I really don't give a crap if 'they' allow it and the chocking idea is good...still, I would certainly rather strap it down. Perhaps installing a big D ring fore and aft (removed later) would help. Filling the holes would be little problem I expect.

[vash]

i did. one way.

rented a penske truck and trailer. think it cost me $1200. the truck was empty and towed the trailer beautifully. bonus..you can sleep in the back when tired.

if i did it over again..i would BUY a trailer. you can sell it for even money once you get it back here to california.

[Drdogface]

Vash,
Buying/selling a car trailer has been suggested but I don't wanna drive my truck all the way out there...and back. Buying a trailer and renting a tow vehicle one way is a possibility.

[vash]

that's what i meant..buy a trailer and rent a penske.

rental companies hose you with the trailer rental. i bet you would make money on the trailer if you find a great deal in GA. you ever see used prices here?

[vash]

i wanna see that truck when it gets here!! i honestly asked my wife if it was in our budget..i wanted it.

the maniacal laughter was not becoming.

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by vash

i wanna see that truck when it gets here!! i honestly asked my wife if it was in our budget..i wanted it.

the maniacal laughter was not becoming.

That's funny...but not at the time, I'm sure. Dunno where you are ?

No.. I never looked too much at used car haulers. I'd have to rent a decent size car or small truck to haul it... At this time I have no interest in driving my truck out there to haul it back...

[kaisen]

It's 2700 miles one way, more if you're taking the blue roads

$1200 for a one-way Penske rental

9 mpg, that's 300 gallons of diesel at $3.75 is ~$1125 in fuel

Two one-way flights to GA are, what, at least $250?

Plus hotel, food, incidentals of the road

So it's **at least** $2700 and a few days of your time

Hiring professional enclosed door-to-door transport would cost less than that
No worries, licensed, bonded, insured, experienced, correct equipment




I can't believe you'd even consider it
Driving a huge 22' diesel box van with a pickup inside it?
Yeah, that will make a fun, enjoyable road trip


I'm all for roadtrips and adventures, but....

[Drdogface]

All very true, Amigo. Does not seem smart at this stage but just looking for ideas...

[craigster59]

Mark, buy 2 RT plane tickets to Ga. Meet w/ Chocaholic and pickup the truck. Spend a few days driving around to Savannah, Hilton Head, etc. Meet w/ shipper and load up the truck. You can make it a nice vacation.

[aigel]

Can't you drive the truck on the back roads? That'd be an adventure. Otherwise I am with Eric. Just have it hauled by a shipper and enjoy here in CA.

Congrats on selling the SC. Where is it going? Not trading to Choc, is it?

G

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by aigel

Can't you drive the truck on the back roads? That'd be an adventure. Otherwise I am with Eric. Just have it hauled by a shipper and enjoy here in CA.

Congrats on selling the SC. Where is it going? Not trading to Choc, is it?

G

My SC went to Long Beach. That drive would be an ordeal on and with that truck to go cross country. Shipping seems the best now. Thanks for all the ideas...

[aigel]

I once read a story of a guy who drove cross country off paveent in a 20s or 30s car. I was searching to find it again to no avail. It was a great tale. But I do think it took several weeks along with some creative wrenching.

Congrats on the truck - I'd love to have something like that one day too. The closest I ever got was a 1970 F100.

Glad to hear the SC stayed in the US. The 30 year classic registration pulls a lot of the SCs to Germany these days.

G

[kaisen]

Long Beach? Good to hear that Zeke/Milt is back in an aircooled

[fingpilot]

Originally Posted by kaisen

It's 2700 miles one way, more if you're taking the blue roads

$1200 for a one-way Penske rental

9 mpg, that's 300 gallons of diesel at $3.75 is ~$1125 in fuel

Two one-way flights to GA are, what, at least $250?

Plus hotel, food, incidentals of the road

So it's **at least** $2700 and a few days of your time

Hiring professional enclosed door-to-door transport would cost less than that
No worries, licensed, bonded, insured, experienced, correct equipment


I can't believe you'd even consider it
Driving a huge 22' diesel box van with a pickup inside it?
Yeah, that will make a fun, enjoyable road trip


I'm all for roadtrips and adventures, but....

I have 3 teams out on the road at the moment in 2011 F-450's with 28' to 33' enclosed trailers full of airplanes. All of them enroute back to Redstone in time for Turkey Day.

Our average minimum diesel price runs $3.85, and sometimes the actuals run over $4. a gallon (with the DOT/FIFA tax break). We get 7-ish no wind MPG loaded or unloaded at 70MPH, less speed in the wind or heavy (25000 lbs). I do this drive 6 to 7 times a year, and starting next week, everything we do will be south of I-40. My truck that made Cheyenne last night just did get thru Utah before wx moved in.

It's a 5 day drive at speed on the Interstate. My butt lasts 3 days and then starts complaining.

Just wanted to make sure the picture is complete. I am still torn on flying/driving the Prius/RV to California for Christmas.

A very nice truck BTW. I didn't get a chance to say that while we were talking.

Michael.

[Drdogface]

Hi Michael,
I kinda counted you out given the last PM I got but still willing if you change your mind. Yes, nice truck indeed and Choc is being really helpful and accommodating on this. Stay in touch...

[Seahawk]

When do you have to have it back?

I may be able to help if you can have it on an open trailer.