Freight Hauler Advice

Boomer

Boomer

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I know there are a bunch of truck folks on here, former and current, hopefully someone can give me a pointer or two.

Sitting in Salem, Oregon is a 20kw DD generator that needs to come to northern VA. It's lashed to a dual axle car trailer with 4 new tires. If I had to guess the weight I'd say with batteries, tank, transfer switch and whatever else it's probably in the 3500-4K lb range.

Aside from UShip, is there a reasonable and safe way to get it moved here? As well, which is better or more realistic - having it towed on its own trailer or added to a load on a flatbed or lowboy? I have no way to remove it from a larger trailer.

Was told by a fellow out that way to expect $500-$700, but no hint on the best way to move it or how to locate a hauler.
 
Okay, I'll take a stab at this. The givens are #1 -that you or no one else are able to pull that trailer back to Va.. Therefore, the entire outfit has to go on a transport. Given#2 Since it's on a car trailer, odds are it won't fit inside of a van trailer (inside width 96" to 100", depending on Dry Van or Reefer) So, as you say, it's got to go on a Flatbed Trailer....or a Hotshot. A Hotshot is those guys in the beefed up Dually diesel pickup trucks, pulling all kinds of flatbed trailer configurations. Your shipment is considered "LTL"(less than (whole) load) or a "Partial". You will be subject to various rates from various carriers, depending on how badly they need to have the revenue of a Total Truckload, "TL". Also, they consider where they are to pick their next (westbound) load. If he is going to Pick up in Haystack, then that's good for you because he has less non-paying miles than if he has to pick up in Norfolk. Anyways, what I'm saying is when you're dealing with an Independent Trucking Company, the rates may vary wildly...so you just need to keep on calling different ones till you find the best deal. When you deal with a major Flatbed Fleet Company, like say, Maverick or TMC or anyone of 50 other names, you will get a tighter variation of pricing....but your needs must first fit their lanes. For this reason, people and companies who ship regularly, often use a broker. The Broker knows all the Trucking Companies and where they like to run and who specializes in what............which is what you really need, if you want to cut to the chase. Google freight brokers, transportation brokers, also, Logistics has become another word for brokerages. They don't need to be near you, as a matter of fact, I would start my search in the Salem, Oregon area. I don't know where the other fellar came up with 500-700 dollars. A truck going from coast to coast has a specific revenue target in mind and I can pretty much tell you it's absolutely no less than $1.50 per, more like 2-2.50 (if he/they want to stay in business). 2800 miles times $2.00 per mile equals $5600 for the whole trip. And that's TL, An LTL is going to further augment his revenue figuring "X" amount per foot...a fixed amount that he knows he has to get when he's pricing freight. He will base his figure on half or 3/4's of a load, to be safe...and if he fills every foot of the trailer, he does extra well. (which is offset the next time he does extra crappy) -----so, I really don't know what you're in for as far as a final price to move your freight. I would seek out a Broker first, and go from there. Oh, yeah, of course the Broker cuts out a slice for himself too and chances are you won't know what it is until and if you talk with the Trucker, who says, "I only made $500 on your freight". Good Luck!
 
PS- you will need to know the accurate overall dimensions of your shipment. Length(tip of the tongue to the most rearward point), height (ground to tallest point), width (to widest points, ie. -edge of fender, to edge of fender).....and outside of tire tread to outside of tire tread (additional, sometimes necessary info). Also, the transporting trailer may have it's own ramps or not, your may need to find a local dock to use, are hire a Rollback Towtruck (that will be fun...), or hire a small crane or capable boom truck. In any case, you will have to arrange for whatever is to take place at your end unless you are lucky enough to find a transporter that has all kinds of facilities and equipment at his disposal. You, of course, will also need to provide the Towing power unit with the ball hitch. It is best to insist on being able to speak with the driver at least twice. At time of pickup (discuss the delivery situation) and prior to delivery. Don't be a pain, calling him all the time...sometimes he's trying to sleep when you are awake, or in bad traffic.., but make a list of what you want to know or discuss and agree on a time to talk. Ain't nothing worse than a grumpy driver, aggravated by you...........when he's totin' your freight around the countryside. Are you sure you don't want to take a trip across the country???
 
Thanks Stan, I hadn't thought about UPS Freight. Wonder if they do open hauling? I will definitely give them a call to get some idea.

Not Right - thanks very much for the detailed info. Yes, I have considered going to get it myself though I no longer have a truck to tow with. Still, I could fly there for $200 one way, and rent a 16' Penske truck for $1405 with unlimited mileage. With gas and other incidentals, easily $2K.

OTOH, CBodyBob's '66 300 was shipped to me in Franklinton, NC from Sedro-Wooley WA for $1400. It was part of a full trailer load, of course - not a one-off custom haul. This thing isn't as big as a car, but I'm guessing some of that would be offset by the special handling required to load and off-load it. I suspect your broker suggestion would yield the best prices; this is basically what you come across on UShip with the occasional independent hauler.

On the plus side, the seller said I can move it at my leisure. He and his wife are even checking around there to see what they can turn up. Good folks.

So I have the luxury of looking around a bit to find a good hauler & price. I figured $500-$700 might've been optimistic but then again, I'm clueless on such matters. Worst case, I go get it myself. I can live on junk food and caffeine pretty cheaply for a few days and should have a couple good road trips left in me.

Or_Gen1.jpg
 
If that generator is not bolted to the trailer and you don't need a trailer, if it is secured to the I-beams it looks like a heavy duty forklift could pick up the generator and put it inside a trailer. Try Fed Ex Freight as well.
 
I agree. The generator itself is a whole other story. It would bolt directly to a specialized wooden pallet and load right into a LTL Van Load. Roughly a little more than one pallet space, they'd probably charge you for two pallets or 5'-6' feet of floor space. But, and it never gets easier, You've got to arrange for the Rig to be toted to someone who can separate the two items, build and palletize the generator....and then maybe have the freight company pick the gen up from that shop....give the shop the trailer for payment and loading into the Freight Trailer. They would need to have a large-small to medium capacity fork lift (say, no less than a 5000lb rating). Then all you have to do is worry about what you are going to do at this end.
 
PS#2- ....just sayin.....auto transport and freight hauling are two different animals all together. CBBob's '66 300 vs Boomer's freight......apples and oranges. And, you're right on about special handling being required by a car hauler.......you ain't just whistlin Dixie. It would be a job, and it would reflect that in the price charged...if not upfront, then after loading, when he calls you and says' "ran into some unexpected difficulties, so I'm going to have to charge you a little more...but I can't say what till I get this thing unloaded in Virginia." At that point, you take your series E US Savings Bonds to your bank and cash them in!
 
Dammit, notright. Stop making this a huge fustercluck.
Anyone can easily search the internet for an LTL Carrier that services the two points. Call each one and get a rate. There's dozens.
:realcrazy:
 
Exactly. Been dealing with other issues here and haven't gotten back to it. Brokers find loads w/space. Direct calls to carriers do the same. Sites like UShip let them search for customers to fill needs, I'm sure there are others as well.

As to the trailer, it's part of the deal and makes it (in my view) an easier proposition overall. Yes, it will cost more to move the pair, but it also removes the cost of having to have someone load and unload just the generator, then trying to find a way to move it around here. Not something you can move around the yard easily without wheels - big ones and lots of 'em. Since we're staring down the barrel of another move in the next 10 months or so, the trailer is a must. Plus, once I get it where it's going, I can offload it and use the trailer for other stuff. Or that's the plan, anyhow.

The value of the genny? Purely subjective. This came out of an old AT&T Long Lines relay station out in Oregon. Ma Bell paid a pretty penny to GM for these sets back in the day, and it only has 1347 hours on an engine that will routinely run 40,000 before needing a rebuild. AFAIK, they ranged from this wee 20KW unit to big 6 cyl 100KW and larger, used in remote sites as well as the Central Offices (the reason you still got a dial tone on the LL phone when power was out). As well as diesel it'll run on numerous other fuels including filtered waste oil from McDs. About 1.5 gal/hr . @ 1200RPM which is what the 20KW runs at. 30K and higher are 1800RPM units, more fuel, more wear & tear, more noise.

Been after one for a few years now. The 20KWs don't show up too often. Actually missed this same generator last year and am now trying to get it from the fellow who nabbed it then. If only it was a tad closer....
 
Forgot to add - the generator is bolted to the frame of the trailer. The guy who has it now had it lifted and turned 90 degrees to sit between the rails and over the axles for a lower CoG. He also added a battery box, 2 new batteries, a transfer switch and a tank that looks to be off a Kenworth (now strapped between the trailer rails). Muffler is removed, everything is bolted or strapped down and ready to roll, he's just looking for an appropriate tarp to lash around it.
Gen1.jpg
Gen6.jpg
Gen2.jpg
 
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