What is the Cheapest Way to Ship RVs?
The idea of shipping a recreational vehicle may be foreign to some, simply because they use their recreational vehicle, or RV, as their primary mode of transporting other vehicles or vessels. Similarly, many people drive RVs long distances as a sort of vacation or cross-country trek.
Heck, some people even choose to live in them, so why would you ever need to ship such a vehicle? There are actually many legitimate reasons that you would need to ship an RV, including relocation (domestic OR international), selling/buying transaction of an RV, or perhaps, your RV is no longer in working order and you need to have it moved. Obviously, the same factors that go into shipping a standard size automobile do not pertain to shipping an RV, so if you want to get the best deal for your money when transporting one of these vehicles, be sure to heed the following advice.
Find a Company Experienced in RV Shipping.
This may sound like a given, but unfortunately, there are any number of transport companies out there masquerading as RV shippers, when in fact, they have no prior experience. You wouldn't give a 12 year old the keys to your car, would you? So, why would you trust an amateur with your treasured investment? The answer is, you wouldn't. So, use resources online, make some calls, and do adequate research before you sign any contract. A professional RV experienced company will be able to provide references, will have good reviews online, and will boast a proven track record with the Better Business Bureau.
Determine How Best to Ship Your RV.
Because you are not an industry expert, it may be difficult to determine this by yourself. Lucky for the layman, any auto transporter worth its salt will be able to help you figure out the best mode of transport for your vehicle. There are many options, depending on the size, make, and model of your vehicle. There are also additional factors that come into play depending on the value of your RV. The following are just some of the methods large recreational vehicles are shipped:
- Flat Bed Trucks.
- Step-Deck Trailers.
- Low Boy Trailers.
- Extendable Drop Trailers.
- Vessel Trailers.
- And many, many more.
Of course, sometimes it's the best AND easiest option to just tow your vehicle.
Don't Compare Apples to Oranges.
Again, a common phrase stemming from common sense, but unfortunately, too many people think that a quote from one company will parallel a quote from another. This is so far from the truth that it's a bit scary. Make sure that the quote you receive from a REPUTABLE transport company includes insurance, gives you some semblance of a timeline, and actually composes a quote based on your individual, unique vehicle. Anything else cannot be trusted, and you will most likely pay dearly down the line when the company either doesn't pick up your RV, cannot handle it, or tacks on all sorts of additional fees and surcharges after you have committed. If you want an affordable RV shipping process, then do not ignore these warnings, and find a company equipped to handle the transport process safely while maintaining affordability.