Question: I am doing some math because I am interested in hauling this unit back for you on my trailer. We are DOT compliant, fully insured, etc. Have a few questions before I can bid, however. The weight of 14,000 lbs, is that an actual weighed weight, or is that the weight of the unit. I ask because I have picked up motor homes before with a GVWR of 14,000 and the owners have another 2 to 6 thousand pounds of stuff in them and they are over 18K. It makes a difference on which truck/trailer combination we can use. Additionally, we are fully insured, however with a damaged engine our insurance would not cover it, in the event that while driving the vehicle up the ramps the engine blew. Unlikely, but possible, so I am just throwing that out there. In order to get to your price (if we could) we would have to find good loads going out of Boise area (where we are based) to Portland, and the Panhandle back to Boise area, so how much time do we have at the outside, then we can try to do sooner (5/1/2008)
Response: Thanks for your interest. I'd be guilty about the weight. 14k is the GVW so there's probably an additional 2-6k. I live in this rig so would be able to follow and will lighten as much as possible. I'm trying to nail down a date of May 15. Ihave a shipper standing by and will put on "hold" until I hear back from you. Thanks, Cliff (5/2/2008)
Response: Unfortunately, my smaller truck and trailer weigh about 12,000 empty and I can only legally haul 28,000. So, if the unit was more than 16,000 I would be overweight. I would have to step up to my commercial class truck and trailer, and I would not be anywhere near your price. (That truck gets about 5.8 mpg, with today's diesel price) If you have a bid anywhere near your target price, you might want to take it, but you want to make sure that he knows he is looking at approx 18K pounds. I thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to consider this job. I wish you the best of luck. Kevin (5/2/2008)
Response: Thanks again Kevin! We're into a weekend so I can't do anything til Monday anyway. If you'd like to make a bid, I'll consider it. The contract I'm sitting on is for $1210, and is not from Ubid. I'd be the first to agree that my target price is low. I derived that looking at the commission price schedule at Ubid. (big increase at $700) I will be travelling same route/time in a Honda Element with 5x8 enclosed trailer, so can relieve some weight if necessary. Water will be dumped. Holding tanks can be dumped at Memaloose 60 mi. (my job) Kick it around this weekend and let me know. Thanks again, Cliff (5/3/2008)
Response: I have been crunching some numbers, and at this point I am basing them on some assumptions. They are: 1) we will be traveling together; 2) we can get the weight down to the legal limit for the smaller truck; 3) we will be able to schedule the week of the 19th. If all those be the case, I should be at $994.50, which I think would be quite competitive. If we are traveling together and get the weight down, I may be able to save you about $60 off of that price, depending on the weight on my trailer axles vs. truck. If you accept my bid we can discuss this option. Once we are loaded, I will want to weigh at a private scale before hitting the interstate. I will pay for the weigh ticket. If we are overweight, and have to weigh additional times after shuffling more weight, then I would want you to pay for those (they are usually about $7 or so). Another question, I am not sure how big the tank is, but how much fuel is in the motorhome. 100 gallons of fuel is almost half a ton. (5/3/2008)
Response: You're workin' so hard already! Assumption 1=yes,Assumption 3=yes, Assumption 2= You will need to inform me as to where/how I should distribute weight. I have 2 fuel tanks @ 60 gal. ea. They were full 250 miles back and I've been using the rear tank. I've made arrangements to syphon enough out to keep 2 vehicles full for the next 2 wks. I have a wshr/dryer combo which I'll put in my trailer. This is roughly half the trailer capacity, as I will have a small tractor also, but reaches the max. towing rating of my Element. Beyond that, it's down to 40/50 lb. chunks (batts. jacks, etc.) I just checked tag on vehicle and GVWR says "16000 including all passengers/options/load". It should be considerably lighter as I've removed rear A/C, water heater, (tankless) Anything else I can remove woulb be bulk and not of significant weight. I've read your feedback and would be happy to have you handle this job for me. (also help the local economy) Thanks, Cliff (5/3/2008)
Response: It sounds to me like we are going to be able to get it to work. If you want me to go ahead and place a bid, we can work out the details over the phone on Monday. It is mostly going to be a matter of weight disbursement on the trailer axles. If I can get no more than 16 on the trailer axles with no more than 10 on either axle the truck should carry the difference just fine. If you happen to know the wheelbase, than would help me to do some math as well. I think that we can probably make it work. Also, if we are significantly lighter, we can load some of that weight back in as well, since my truck would probably pull it easier than your Honda. Just saying that I can take a full load. Let me know if you want the bid. If so, I will make it, and we can make minor adjustments by phone if necessary. I will be fair with you and may even be able to save you a bit. (5/4/2008)
Response: That's great news! My midnight measurement for the whl base is just over 17 ft. The rig is front heavy and I think that's what you want. ??? I'll leave that to you. Go ahead and place the bid and we'll talk some more. Thanks, Cliff (5/4/2008)