Commercial RV hauling - Page 17

greenenvy1 · 01-18-2014, 03:42 PM

Made my second delivery to Brandon, Manitoba yesterday. Sitting in fargo, ND for supper then off to Indiana for Sun night / Mon am pick up and head home (east coast!!!) with I'm guessing a park model...yay! Details on some tiny little Coachman TTs when I get home.

greenenvy1 · 01-22-2014, 09:14 AM

Home from another 12, 000 km trip. Saw some sketchy roads out there that's for sure. Meet up with some fellow RV haulers, saw one hauler and a brand new Pinnacle on fire (i'll try and post the video today), saw another rv hauler that slid off the road, and more car accidents than I can remember!

First unit was a 2014 Coachman Catalina 243 RBS. Tiny little trailer that I thought would deliver great MPGs instead the wind in the mid west just blew it all over the place. IMHO cheap steel wheels add to a bad towing experience.
Hitch Weight 687 lbs. (312 kg)
Base Weight 5,702 lbs. (2,586 kg)
Exterior Length 27' 11" (8.5 m)
Exterior Height 11' 1" (3.4 m)

Then a 2014 Coachman Catalina 273 DBS. Honestly it towed kind of poorly like the other small Coachman. Blurry photo I just realized...but again the same cheap steel wheels.
Hitch Weight 738 lbs. (335 kg)
Base Weight 6,138 lbs. (2,784 kg)
Exterior Length 30' 3" (9.2 m)
Exterior Height 11' 1" (3.4 m)

Then I was almost excited when I saw the specs on this third trailer and thought it was NOT a park model....sadly I was mistaken. Puma website does not classify it as a park model for some reason but it is.
2014 Puma 32FKSL. Actually wasn't a horrible towing unit. SAw some black ice and caught a glimpse of the back corner of the trailer once or twice lol but otherwise not bad. Parked beside a wind turbine blade that provides some scale.
Dry Hitch Weight 1,410 lbs. (640 kg)
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 8,062 lbs. (3,657 kg)
Exterior Length 35' 11" (10.9 m)
Exterior Height 11' 1" (3.4 m)

I was supposed to meet up with these 4 other rv haulers but they got stuck in some weather and ended up almost a day behind me. Snapped a pic when I saw them as I don't often see 4 units travelling together. You can see the nice Manitoba roads in the foreground.

GIFCo147 · 01-23-2014, 12:47 AM

I just want to say, what many have said before... I always enjoy reading your reports and reviews. I appreciate the insight gained by your stories about life on the road.

Stay safe and warm,

GIFCo147

Bassdogs · 01-23-2014, 08:29 AM

Only back read the last few pages so appologize if my ?? has already been answered. You say its common for expenses to exceed 50% of revenues. Suspect fuel is the biggest expense, but what are the other significant expenses? Is it common to run in a convoy of 2 or more units or do you primarily run as a single? Do you ever pick up a return tow?

As a commercial RV hauler, what tips do you have for a private Rv [TT] rig? Where are the best options for finding diesel? Am concerned about the tight spaces in many "GAS" stations. Are truck stops RV friendly for private tows?

**Crabman** · 01-23-2014, 08:39 AM

Wow, that trailer with the turbine blade on it is one long sucker!

greenenvy1 · 01-23-2014, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GIFCo147

I just want to say, what many have said before... I always enjoy reading your reports and reviews. I appreciate the insight gained by your stories about life on the road.

Stay safe and warm,

GIFCo147

Thanks GIFCo147, im still surprised how many views this thread gets!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Only back read the last few pages so appologize if my ?? has already been answered. You say its common for expenses to exceed 50% of revenues. Suspect fuel is the biggest expense, but what are the other significant expenses? Is it common to run in a convoy of 2 or more units or do you primarily run as a single? Do you ever pick up a return tow?

As a commercial RV hauler, what tips do you have for a private Rv [TT] rig? Where are the best options for finding diesel? Am concerned about the tight spaces in many "GAS" stations. Are truck stops RV friendly for private tows?

I sleep in my truck and RARELY get a hotel so no real money wasted there. Truck R & R, insurance, and food lol are your only real big expenses other than fuel. I see a few "convoys" from time to time. Personally I have only run with another driver maybe 6 times. Much prefer to run at my own pace, stop when I want, eat where I want, etc. Company I run for does rv transfers for the Canadian Armed Forces on occasion so I have moved 4 or 5 of those and that's it. Gas Buddy app on the smartphone is good for finding cheap diesel. With my aux tank I carry 110 gallons so I much enjoy the large hoses at the truck islands, makes fueling up very fast. Never had a problem at the truck stops I've gone to, other than them being dirty ha ha!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabman

Wow, that trailer with the turbine blade on it is one long sucker!

For reference I think my set up in that pic is approx. 55 feet long so good reference to determine what the length of that set up behind me must be! 140 feet maybe??

greenenvy1 · 02-05-2014, 07:04 AM

Back from another trip.
Pic #1 is a nice sample of the roads this time.

Pic # 2....2014 Coachman 38BH, Park model. Saw some horrible icy roads and winds travelling Hwy 52 up into St. Paul, MN. There was another rv hauler in front of me and I saw his tailgate on more than one occassion due to the winds blowing his trailer around.
Hitch Weight 1,090 lbs. (494 kg)
Base Weight 8,340 lbs. (3,783 kg)
Exterior Length 40' 9" (12.4 m)
Exterior Height 11' 8" (3.6 m)

pic # 3 2014 Wildwood Heritage Glen 300BH, supposedly a new line from what the dealer told me when I delivered. Quite aerodynamic and towed rather well. Thinki I averaged right around 10.5-11 mpg over the 1350 mile trip.
Dry Hitch Weight 880 lbs. (399 kg)
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 8,250 lbs. (3,742 kg)
Exterior Length 37' 5" (11.4 m)
Exterior Height 11' 2" (3.4 m)

pic # 4 is a group of four other haulers i met up with and ran for a day with. I got to tell you i would rather travel solo any day. Something about being able to stop when I want and drive how i want. Was a nice change to be able to chat on the CB all day though. Notice the common theme among these RV haulers lol?

gtsum2 · 02-05-2014, 07:22 AM

Great pics! I cannot imagine towing on those roads for long distances. Be safe out there

NewBlackDak · 02-05-2014, 08:22 AM

Can't help but notice 4x Dodge/RAM and 1 Ford

carey965 · 02-05-2014, 08:11 PM

its a 6.0l ford as well, not the greatest of them

Jagiven · 02-05-2014, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenenvy1

........ Saw some horrible icy roads and winds travelling Hwy 52 up into St. Paul, MN. There was another rv hauler in front of me and I saw his tailgate on more than one occassion due to the winds blowing his trailer around.

Greenenvy1, drive safe!

We have had some really nasty weather here in the Twin Cities and throughout the state. COLD, snowy and a lot of wind. Not sure what day you drove through St. Paul, but I recall last Friday morning we had mid 20’s and 6 inches of snow, that night it was -10 deg F. We had a lot of ice for the next few days as none of the typical chemicals touch the ice in that weather. About two weeks ago I was caught in a ground blizzard, on I-90. It was rough travels in an SUV, could not imagine what it would be like towing a trailer.

greenenvy1 · 02-06-2014, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carey965

its a 6.0l ford as well, not the greatest of them

yup, we harassed him pretty good on the CB on day long! That poor truck has been through about 5 drives in the past year and this guy seems to have it running good. IIRC it's been a rv hauler since brand new.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Greenenvy1, drive safe!

We have had some really nasty weather here in the Twin Cities and throughout the state. COLD, snowy and a lot of wind. Not sure what day you drove through St. Paul, but I recall last Friday morning we had mid 20’s and 6 inches of snow, that night it was -10 deg F. We had a lot of ice for the next few days as none of the typical chemicals touch the ice in that weather. About two weeks ago I was caught in a ground blizzard, on I-90. It was rough travels in an SUV, could not imagine what it would be like towing a trailer.

I drove through on the day the airport reported 6.4" of snow during the morning commute....last Thursday I believe. SOme sections of the 52 leading in towards the airport made me tense up pretty good i'll say that. You are correct in saying the Twin Cities has been hit alot this winter...always seems bad running through there this winter.

hazema · 02-14-2014, 05:29 PM

I just read through the entire thread and enjoyed it very much. This is something that I have kicked around for a while and maybe someday I'll do it a bit.
I just traded in my 27 ft 5th wheel rear kitchen for a 38 ft Jayco and was amazed at how much better it tows.
Drive safe.

Bird Dawg · 02-20-2014, 01:53 PM

Just curious. Since you are being paid to tow, doesn't that require a CDL?

greenenvy1 · 02-20-2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bird Dawg

Just curious. Since you are being paid to tow, doesn't that require a CDL?

Not as a Canadian. My Nova Scotia driver's licence covers me up to 31,680 lbs private or commercially. In the USA i believe you don't need a CDL unless over 26,001 lbs.....i'm not certain on that though. Have not been in a situation with an RV putting me into that range yet. Closest was in the 24,000 range.

Brownie · 02-20-2014, 07:28 PM

Just finished reading this entire thread. It's more addictive than spider solitaire! I've been reading this blog for about 3 months, now, and can't believe I've never noticed it before. Glad it finally caught my eye. Have enjoyed your posts very much and will now follow more closely. I enjoy driving, but I sure couldn't do it in the weather conditions you've faced the last two winters. My hat is off to you. Keep up the good work, and travel safe!

**Crabman** · 02-20-2014, 07:40 PM

It is a great thread. Our forum has a little bit of everything!

greenenvy1 · 02-20-2014, 08:32 PM

Thanks guys!
Been back from last trip since tuesday but have been too lazy to post details. Maybe tomorrow but gotta service the transmission, oil change, etc before i leave again on Sunday.

Jagiven · 02-20-2014, 10:12 PM

Greenenvy1 take it easy while you can. Glad you are not traveling through the twin cities for the next few days as it is going to be nasty again for a few days.

greenenvy1 · 02-21-2014, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Greenenvy1 take it easy while you can. Glad you are not traveling through the twin cities for the next few days as it is going to be nasty again for a few days.

What's with that place??? Always seems to be garbage weather through there this winter. Actually from there all the way to Fargo, ND has been sketchy.

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