How to Ship a Travel Trailer: Expert Guide to Safe & Affordable Transport
A travel trailer, unlike a car, is not equipped with an engine, meaning it cannot drive anywhere under its own power.
Obtaining shipping estimates for a travel trailer can be challenging because they cannot be hauled in the same manner as conventional automobiles. In addition, because a trailer is not technically a vehicle, it will need to be towed behind a truck that has the capacity to relocate the dimensions of the trailer.
Furthermore, travel trailers come in a wide range of forms and sizes. This makes it extremely challenging and perplexing to locate a reliable vehicle transportation service for a travel trailer.
How Shipping Companies Transport a Recreational Trailer
A conventional open auto transport carrier is not equipped to handle the weight of a travel trailer during transit.
Open carriers are the primary carriers allowed to operate on the road and are responsible for hauling the vast majority of automobiles that are now carried.
Trailers of this type can relocate up to 10 cars at once but are not built to move vacation trailers; rather, they were designed to accommodate only standard automobiles.
As a result, a travel trailer won't fit safely onto this type of shifting.
- Travel trailer shipping costs $1,000–$4,500 domestically; cross-country routes average $2.00–$3.50 per mile based on length, weight, and axle count.
- Tow-away service handles most towable trailers in 3–7 days regionally; flatbed or lowboy transport is required for non-roadworthy or oversized units.
- Carriers must hold valid FMCSA operating authority; confirm active insurance and verify MC number before booking flatbed or driveaway trailer transport.
What a travel trailer needs is a truck that specializes in relocating vehicles on flatbeds. The utilization of flatbed trucks is on an as-needed basis, and automobiles are only relocated on flatbeds once it is absolutely necessary to do so.
The cost of flatbed trucking services is significantly more than that of shifting a regular automobile on an open-air truck precisely because of the on-demand nature of flatbed trucking services.
Flatbed transport truck services cost more than other types of hauling because they charge on a per-mile basis, and the final rate will be determined by the length of the trip as well as the total mass of the travel trailer.
Why Would I Need To Ship My Trailer?
There are a lot of different reasons why people choose to have their travel trailers transported. For example, many people were only able to get their ideal recreational vehicle at an incredible price in a different state.
It's possible that you're moving to a different state and plan to take all your gear with you. Regardless of the cause, it's important to research the best way to haul your trailer to its destination before making a decision.
What would you consider to be a fair fee for having someone else transport your recreational vehicle (RV), travel trailer (TT), or fifth-wheel (5th-wheel)? The response to this hinges on the following questions:
- What exactly are you going to be shipping?
- Where does it need to go?
- What method are you going to use to relocate it there?
These appear to be rather straightforward questions. Let's take a look at what you need to know and what to anticipate before you start making phone calls.
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What Is The Best Way?
There are a variety of ways to move a travel trailer; however, shifting it on a flatbed is typically considered to be the safest and most effective approach. However, tow-away (or drive-away) services are the more popular.
The hitching of a trailer to the bumper of a truck and the subsequent pulling of the trailer behind the vehicle constitutes the "bumper pull" mode of relocation. This is the more popular choice when exporting a travel trailer.
Because of the size, weight, and complexities of loading and unloading travel trailers from a flatbed truck, it is cheaper to opt for the bumper pull rather than the flatbed.
One could argue that a fairer description of the process would be that towing services are not really shipping services. However, the service is equally as complex.
Towing challenges include tire wear and tear, traffic interruptions, and the usual hazards of pulling pieces of heavy equipment.
Generally, towing services are reliable and less expensive than a flatbed. However, the final fee will vary, as it is based on the travel trailer you are moving, the destination, and the speed of the delivery. It is vital to use a trustworthy and experienced service provider regardless of the task.
A good shipping provider will advise you on the best delivery method for your vehicle. If they don't have a carrier with the power necessary to transport your travel trailer safely, they will supply you with the next best option immediately.
What Do I Need To Ship a Travel Trailer?
There are many different sizes of travel trailers on the market, and only some shipping companies will have a carrier that can accommodate them all.
You'll need to provide some necessary information to your provider before they can provide your shipping quote.
A standard automobile only needs the vehicle's year of manufacture, make, and model information. In many cases, this is sufficient to receive an accurate estimate of the cost of shipping a car.
However, more information is needed to ship a travel trailer. In addition to knowing the trailer's year, make, and model, the company will also need to know its measurements, including its length, width, and height, as well as an estimate of its weight.
Most of this information, including weight, which is typically the most difficult parameter to measure accurately, may be accessed online.
These measurements are essential, not only because they will establish the cost of shifting your product but also because they will define which carrier will be needed to do the job.
Considerations That Need To Be Made
The dimensions, weight, distance, and condition of your trailer all affect who can shift it and what it will cost.
However, the locations of the pickup and delivery are also important. In addition, the fee will be determined in part by how fast you require the item to be transferred.
Before you start contacting around for prices, make sure you have answers to the following questions ready:
- Measurements refer to the outside dimensions and include any hitches or tow bars.
- Weight: keep in mind that the "dry weight" listed in the owner's handbook does not consider the weight of your belongings. You are going to have to determine whether you are going to send it empty or whether you are going to have to estimate the additional weight.
- Distance: measured in miles on the road.
- The condition of the trailer: refers to the general 'roadworthiness' of the trailer.
- Location of pickup and delivery: refers to rural and suburban regions, roadways, and ease of delivery.
- Timing refers to the speed and flexibility of pickup and delivery dates.
Conclusion
In brief, if you need a trailer to be hauled, always ship it in the safest way possible and only after conducting the necessary research.
We make it our business to stay current on the latest developments in the freight industry. Contact us anytime to learn about our comprehensive range of shipping services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a travel trailer?
As of September 25, 2026, standard U.S. tow-away transport for a roadworthy travel trailer typically runs about $1.50-$3.00 per mile, with many domestic moves landing near $1,000-$4,500. Flatbed hauling, oversize dimensions, difficult pickup access, or a trailer that cannot roll safely can push the total higher. Distance, loaded size and weight, hitch type, condition, and route demand account for most quote differences. A1's RV shipping cost per mile guide explains how mileage and equipment affect pricing.
What is the best way to ship a travel trailer across the country?
For a roadworthy travel trailer, tow-away is usually the most practical cross-country method because a properly rated truck pulls the trailer on its own wheels. Flatbed or lowboy transport is better when the trailer cannot be towed safely or when keeping the unit off its tires is important. Drive-away service applies to self-propelled motorhomes, not travel trailers. Give the transporter the exact length, width, height, weight, hitch type, and condition before booking so it can match the equipment and plan any permit-required routing. See A1's travel trailer shipping options.
How long does it take to ship a travel trailer?
Travel trailer shipping commonly takes 2-5 loaded transit days under 500 miles, about 4-7 days for 500-1,000 miles, and roughly 8-12 days cross-country. Those ranges start after pickup; carrier assignment and pickup scheduling happen before loaded transit and should be quoted separately. Weather, legal driving hours, route restrictions, and specialized flatbed or oversize moves can extend delivery. A tight delivery deadline should be discussed before booking because the transport method and route can change the realistic window.
How do I prepare my travel trailer for shipping?
Prepare a travel trailer for shipping by securing loose interior items, retracting and locking slide-outs and awnings, and emptying tanks when required by the carrier. For tow-away service, make sure the tires, brakes, lights, hitch components, and safety chains are roadworthy. Close propane cylinder valves and follow the carrier's policy on whether cylinders must be removed. Before pickup, photograph the trailer's condition, note existing damage, and tell the driver about any tire, axle, frame, or suspension problem that could affect safe loading or towing.
How do I choose a travel trailer transport company?
Choose a travel trailer transport company by confirming active interstate operating authority, identifying the carrier that will physically haul the trailer, and reviewing cargo coverage before pickup. FMCSA requires interstate for-hire property carriers to maintain public-liability financial responsibility, but generally does not require cargo insurance for non-household-goods property carriers. Ask for the assigned carrier's cargo certificate, limit, deductible, and exclusions, then compare them with your trailer's value. Confirm the job will use tow-away or flatbed equipment suited to your trailer's dimensions and condition. A1's RV transport guide explains the service methods.
Can a non-towable or damaged travel trailer be shipped?
Yes. A damaged or non-towable travel trailer can usually be shipped on a flatbed or lowboy when its dimensions, weight, ground clearance, and structural condition allow safe loading. Tell the transporter before dispatch if the trailer has flat tires, locked brakes, axle or hitch damage, frame damage, or cannot roll and steer normally. A unit that will not roll may need a winch or other recovery setup, while serious structural damage can require a specialized heavy-haul plan. A1's salvaged RV shipping guide covers related non-roadworthy moves.
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