Tractor and implements- I need to move from WV to AZ

[dirtymartini]

After being forced to sell my LS R4047 a couple years ago due to divorce my friend wants to sell it back to me.

I have a Ram Dually diesel and a trailer just barely big enough for the tractor but there is a 5' brush hog, Everything Attachments grapple, Box blade, grader blade, stone rake and pallet forks that go with it.

Has anyone had experience with hiring a shipper. I know there is U-Ship but some of their contactors are a little sketchy. If I could find a 35-40' gooseneck to rent I would go get it myself.

All advice is welcome...I really want my tractor back!

 

[airbiscuit]

Find a local hot shot trucker? $1.50 - $2.00/mile?

 

[WinterDeere]

Rent a trailer? That'd be lowest cost, if you already have the truck, but PA/AZ/PA is an awful long round trip.

My mom has hired many of those guys who cart snowbird's cars from Florida to PA and back each year. Most have been pretty good, and no horror stories. I'm sure there are at least a few who run Phoenix AZ to Pittsburgh or Philly.

 

[alexpops]

Neighbors Trailer

neighborstrailer.com

Would add about 950 miles to back-end of trip to return the trailer. Probably can find similar closer to you. Assuming you don't mind sleeping in the truck at rest areas, trip is easily doable in a week for $200. in reading deeper, seems the ramps are screwed up, so maybe need some HF ramps added to the total cost.

 

[dirtymartini]

Rent a trailer? That'd be lowest cost, if you already have the truck, but PA/AZ/PA is an awful long round trip.

My mom has hired many of those guys who cart snowbird's cars from Florida to PA and back each year. Most have been pretty good, and no horror stories. I'm sure there are at least a few who run Phoenix AZ to Pittsburgh or Philly.

Yes I have looked into that. I am currently getting quotes from hotshot companies through Shiply.
I have found by the time I rent a trailer, pay for fuel and factory in food, maybe a motel or two it's not much more to have it all shipped to my door.

 

[jyoutz]

Buy a gooseneck and move your equipment, then sell the trailer for about what you paid for it.

 

[WinterDeere]

Yes I have looked into that. I am currently getting quotes from hotshot companies through Shiply.
I have found by the time I rent a trailer, pay for fuel and factory in food, maybe a motel or two it's not much more to have it all shipped to my door.

Well, now that we have the important stuff figured out, what's your martini recipe?

I like variety, but keep coming back to this recipe. Fairly traditional ratios, but the Sapphire gives it a unique twist.

2 to 2-1/4 oz. Bombay Sapphire gin
3/4 to 1 oz. Carpano dry vermouth
1 dash Angostura orange bitters
2 large Metzetta martini olives (shipped in vermouth, rather than brine or olive oil)

Stir or swirl in your favorite shaker, pour into large martini glass. Sometimes I think far enough ahead to chill the glass, but more often not, which is fine for a martini this "wet".

 

[jyoutz]

Well, now that we have the important stuff figured out, what's your martini recipe?

I like variety, but keep coming back to this recipe. Fairly traditional ratios, but the Sapphire gives it a unique twist.

2 to 2-1/4 oz. Bombay Sapphire gin
3/4 to 1 oz. Carpano dry vermouth
1 dash Angostura orange bitters
2 large Metzetta martini olives (shipped in vermouth, rather than brine or olive oil)

Stir or swirl in your favorite shaker, pour into large martini glass. Sometimes I think far enough ahead to chill the glass, but more often not, which is fine for a martini this "wet".

I’m not a martini guy, but I might have to try this out.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Look on eBay, Facebook and Craig's List for a good used trailer, near the start point, go buy it. Pull it and the equipment home and then sell the trailer.

 

[WinterDeere]

I’m not a martini guy, but I might have to try this out.

I figured it's worth asking the guy who's handle is "dirtymartini".

I'm mostly bourbon in winter and gin in summer, with the odd rye Manhattan sprinkled in here or there.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I have used the neighbors trailer site when my trailer lost a hub in the middle of a 45 mile run. Loaded it on the rented trailer. Used it for a day and was exactly what I needed.

Going to do the same for when I need to take my tractor to one of my properties about 45 miles away. Can't beat the prices and availability. I had thought about renting mine for some extra income, help pay for the upkeep.

 

[MMC]

After being forced to sell my LS R4047 a couple years ago due to divorce my friend wants to sell it back to me.

I have a Ram Dually diesel and a trailer just barely big enough for the tractor but there is a 5' brush hog, Everything Attachments grapple, Box blade, grader blade, stone rake and pallet forks that go with it.

Has anyone had experience with hiring a shipper. I know there is U-Ship but some of their contactors are a little sketchy. If I could find a 35-40' gooseneck to rent I would go get it myself.

All advice is welcome...I really want my tractor back!

I think having a larger trailer for local use is a good idea. Cross country, going through several states, might be problematic. I have certainly done it myself (trying for weekends/Sundays...) but Federal and State DOT regs are not in my wheelhouse. I am safe and go by DOT regs, but I do not have a CDL. Being stopped and found out of compliance can get your truck/trailer impounded and/or a good ticket to pay off. Blow a tire or two out and finding emergency road service might also be expensive.

So, what I do today is have a cup of coffee, or a martini, and wait for the hotshot guy to show up. And tip them for supper.

I would check with your insurer to see if you have your own coverage, or can buy it for these sorts of things though.

Just my opinion, naturally.

Best of luck.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Sometimes easy is gooder...

I did this back in 2012 when I bought my mule. Dealer in Wi saved me $1k even after having to pay a hotshot type dude to bring it to me, I think it was a dollar a mile then. They make numerous stops along the route to get extra dollars in the door. I think I would have about broken even had I gone to get it myself.

 

[airbiscuit]

I think if you are flexible on time, a hotshot might be able give you a discount if they a=can find a load for part of the return trip

 

[RayIN]

I think having a larger trailer for local use is a good idea. Cross country, going through several states, might be problematic. I have certainly done it myself (trying for weekends/Sundays...) but Federal and State DOT regs are not in my wheelhouse. I am safe and go by DOT regs, but I do not have a CDL. Being stopped and found out of compliance can get your truck/trailer impounded and/or a good ticket to pay off. Blow a tire or two out and finding emergency road service might also be expensive.

So, what I do today is have a cup of coffee, or a martini, and wait for the hotshot guy to show up. And tip them for supper.

I would check with your insurer to see if you have your own coverage, or can buy it for these sorts of things though.

Just my opinion, naturally.

Best of luck.

When you are driving your own equipment, no CDL is required. Only if you drive for compensation is a CDL required.

 

[WinterDeere]

When you are driving your own equipment, no CDL is required. Only if you drive for compensation is a CDL required.

* up to 13 tons combination weight, IIRC.

 

[alexpops]

^^ Unless you are towing over 26K or trailer rated at over 26K.

 

[dirtymartini]

I think having a larger trailer for local use is a good idea. Cross country, going through several states, might be problematic. I have certainly done it myself (trying for weekends/Sundays...) but Federal and State DOT regs are not in my wheelhouse. I am safe and go by DOT regs, but I do not have a CDL. Being stopped and found out of compliance can get your truck/trailer impounded and/or a good ticket to pay off. Blow a tire or two out and finding emergency road service might also be expensive.

So, what I do today is have a cup of coffee, or a martini, and wait for the hotshot guy to show up. And tip them for supper.

I would check with your insurer to see if you have your own coverage, or can buy it for these sorts of things though.

Just my opinion, naturally.

Best of luck.

I was going to use a Hotshot service until I found out the guy who has my tractor is unable to reattach the backhoe. Then I'm not too confident on him loading the Hotshot trailer.
So I'll be making the trip myself now. If I could only find a load going in that direction lol. A couple of magnetic "Not for Hire" signs on the doors and away I go lol.
I found a '40 gooseneck for rent locally for $500 a week.

 

[dirtymartini]

I figured it's worth asking the guy who's handle is "dirtymartini".

I'm mostly bourbon in winter and gin in summer, with the odd rye Manhattan sprinkled in here or there.

This might make you Gin drinkers cringe but I use Grey Goose or Tito's vodka and the olive juice from my spicy blue cheese olives...I take the vermouth out of the cabinet, look at it then put it back

 

[Too many Kubotas]

A couple of magnetic "Not for Hire" signs on the doors and away I go lol.
I found a '40 gooseneck for rent locally for $500 a week.

I'd pass on the "Not for hire" signs.

No sense in advertising that you feel a bit guilty towing your own stuff around.