Becoming an RV transporter

Jsabe07 · 10-20-2015, 04:56 PM

Hi guys, not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I am considering entering the rv transport business. I have the proper equipment and my wife makes decent money, so does it pay well enough for the duty? Any feedback is welcome, thank you!

Oaklevel · 10-20-2015, 05:03 PM

That's something to look into but I doubt it pays well by the time you pay for the equipment / tires / fuel / wear & tear repairs & what to do while the tow vehicle is in the shop........ but by far the CDL, road taxes and vehicle licence, local and or state business licence costs & Insurance and Bonding ......... Commercial Requirement are very pricey & I'm sure I am forgetting something......

riverrat958 · 10-20-2015, 05:32 PM

I am a rv transport. live 1500 miles from elkhart ( more/less) I am lucky as I do live in the adirondack mts. lot of small campgrounds around.I make most of my money local under 100 miles(2.00 mile).have been ask by nearby dealers to pickup new campers from elkhart.After doing the math @1.25/1.50 mile and being on the road for 4 or more days it really doesnt add up.my expenses- insur,plates,dot etc is over 5 grand not count truck payment,maint,fuel etc.I run a gmc 3500 diesel dually lbz crew cab- makes it a bit tight in campgrounds but I manage. would I recommend long distance - no way -just saying.

wanderingbob · 10-20-2015, 05:53 PM

No profit but it can be enjoyable if ya like being on the road .

riverrat958 · 10-20-2015, 07:38 PM

I agree bob

dieselguy · 10-20-2015, 07:45 PM

My uncle tried it for a while ... used him up as well as his truck, but he did get to see some scenery. If you just want something to do to pass time, go for it. If you want to make money and be bit ahead of break even ... it isn't going to happen. Of course if you need an excuse for a new truck ...

DDC · 10-20-2015, 08:09 PM

Somebody must be making money doing it or it would not be happening, they can't all run at a loss.

dieselguy · 10-20-2015, 09:39 PM

Question any volume dealer's sales people ... they have one heck of a time arranging delivery drivers. Many small town dealers send their own to the factory. Ask around ... most any will tell you they shoot for break even. Long drive times for many and pricey lodging as you obviously can't use the RV for a mobile motel.

**ependydad** · 10-21-2015, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselguy

...pricey lodging as you obviously can't use the RV for a mobile motel.

The 4 delivery drivers I dealt with all had crew cabs and all had their back seats made up into beds.

doc73 · 10-21-2015, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

The 4 delivery drivers I dealt with all had crew cabs and all had their back seats made up into beds.

So what your saying is I would not be able to try out that new RV bed to make sure it is nice and uncomfortable for the new owners?

**ependydad** · 10-21-2015, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc73

So what your saying is I would not be able to try out that new RV bed to make sure it is nice and uncomfortable for the new owners?

With a wink and a smile, I was told to make sure my bottom lock on the camper's door was locked as it is specific to my unit and the master key doesn't work on it. "They're not supposed to sleep in the units, but you know... this makes sure of it."

I also locked my storage hatches (non-751 key or whatever that # is) and one of the transporters pulled my unit from Indiana to Maryland with no battery. They said they loved me because the unit had personal tags instead of transport tags which meant they didn't have to stop at weigh stations.

And, I was everyone's favorite on the run from MD to IN because they usually head back empty / not paid.

Springerdad · 10-21-2015, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc73

So what your saying is I would not be able to try out that new RV bed to make sure it is nice and uncomfortable for the new owners?

lynn brownlee · 10-21-2015, 12:10 PM

No - no sir, does not cover equipment cost or deadhead time and fuel

hankpac · 10-21-2015, 12:57 PM

Check out the info on the "Diesel Truck Resources" forum. There is a section dedicated to "Hotshot drivers", people who tow cargo trailers and RV's for pay. It isn't a wonderful life.

dieselguy · 10-21-2015, 02:08 PM

Boy Howdy ... sign me up with some outfit pronto ... I wanna sleep in the back seat all night and sit in the front seat all day. Makes me hurt thinking about it ...

**ependydad** · 10-21-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselguy

Boy Howdy ... sign me up with some outfit pronto ... I wanna sleep in the back seat all night and sit in the front seat all day. Makes me hurt thinking about it ...

Each one that I spoke to talked about how much they enjoy it. To each their own and all that jazz.

doc73 · 10-21-2015, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

Each one that I spoke to talked about how much they enjoy it. To each their own and all that jazz.

Sure it is not like the navy's TV commercials... See the world be all you can be.. Then at the end in that high speed lawyer voice you realize you'll be the ships cook in the lowest part of the ship and never see the light of day! [emoji57]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

riverrat958 · 10-21-2015, 06:48 PM

beds in the back seat of crew cabs are not counted as rest/off duty as per dot regs

Oaklevel · 10-21-2015, 07:11 PM

You can make a small fortune pulling

RVs to the dealers

but you have to start out with a large fortune........

Bluepill · 10-21-2015, 07:27 PM

My buddy converted a small bus into a tow vehicle. He is a school bus technician and has his Class B ticket already for work. He takes on the occasional side job delivering RVs, boats, etc. and figures that covers his insurance and maintenance expenses.

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