Transporting a Bus

[kwood]

Hey guys!

I am looking for advice on transporting my bus.  It is a MCI9.  I am moving from Washington to Texas for work.  I don't have time to drive it down right now and don't really want to store it until next spring.  I am considering whether it can be transported on a trailer.  It has only been on one short trip so far so I really haven't shaken it down enough to have it driven 1500 miles.  I know it would be expensive, but compared to storage for a year, fly up to get it, and fuel/food/lodging for a week to drive it the cost may be comparable.  Anybody done this or have any thoughts.  I would really appreciate what all you have to say.

Regards,

Kevin

[DaveG]

There might be some internet sources for towing...local tow companies will typically want to bill for portal to portal, so you would be paying for them to drive back empty also, where an internet type thing could basically be a one way deal.


FWIW you might contact NorthWest Bus (you know, the Las Vegas bus folks) and ask who does their transporting or if they have any input for you

[zubzub]

for the costs involved...why not get a bus garage to do an inspection/tune up and drive it down...my maiden (and many others) voyage was 1000 miles..and went just fine, MC9 is a fine piece of industrial equipment, will do it good to go for a run.  My 2 cents, Canadian.

[ToppDog]

I was just thinking of going down to NWBus myself.  Anyone ever dealt with them before or heard anything about them?

[luvrbus]

Kwood, Cobey Brown of Salt Lake 1-801-518-0689 he will haul it for about 1/2 of what a tow co will.He is the one most of us cheap Eagle owners use Boomer just used him and very  was happy with service and price.
I have another guy in Phoenix as soon as I can find his number I'll post it for you. Here you go Brian Booth 1-480-430-4750


good luck

[DaveG]

I was just thinking of going down to NWBus myself.  Anyone ever dealt with them before or heard anything about them?

Let me know when you are going...I'll have you keep an eye out for something for me too! <davidgugl@gmail.com.

[BG6]

It will probably be cheaper to store it, if you are going back to Washington next spring.  If you are making a permanent move, maybe you could store it for a month, get to Texas, then fly back and drive it down over the July 4th weekend.

[TomC]

Having the bus moved on a Landoll trailer is expensive.  10 years ago it cost me $750.00 to go 120 miles (that's $6.25/mile).  I imagine it would be more like $8.00/mile now.  Seattle, Wa to Houston, Tx is about 2,500 miles.  That works out to be $20,000.00 to move it, or even $15,625.00 at the 10 year old $6.25/mile rate.  I would have the bus inspected, possibly put new tires on at least the front axle, inspect the brakes, bearings, engine and transmission, and you could get someone to drive it down for about $1,500.00 plus expenses.  Good Luck, TomC

[Runcutter]

Kevin, a few more questions.  Is the move to Texas permanent, or temporary (and where in Texas -- I can get on a commercial jet in Dallas and get off 1.5 hours later - and still be in Texas)?  If it's temporary, you may want to store the coach.     

Is the bus converted, or is it still a seated coach?  Is it registered/insured (and as what .... comercial vehicle or motor home/house car?)  That goes to whether you'll need a CDL-equipped driver to drive it for you if you go that route.

We brought our 4107 back to Dallas, after picking her up in New Hampshire -- but with a trip north to Canada first.  So, our first trip was about 2500 miles, but we'd had the dealer do a lot of maintenance first.  He got us temporary 30-day transit tags, and I had already bought insurance.  The only problems we had were losing a couple of nuts, one off the licence plate, and one on the aux. gen. exhaust.  Coat hanger wires got us through.  The main part of the message is that we'd had a dealer (we know the family, multiple generation bus folks) send her out for maintenance -- knowing the distance of the trip.  Included a starter rebuild, new radiator, and other work.

If it needs work there, it'll need work here -- so the work will still be a cost.  If you do the work there, and make sure the coach is fully road-worthy, your're not pouring money into towing/hauling - to still have that expense hanging over your head.  That would seem to make hiring a driver make more sense. 

When I bought buses for transit systems, we had the manufactures use drive-away services.  A commerical drive-away service might make sense -- and even provide the necessary insurance coverage.  Transit buses are delivered on their own wheels, maybe a backhaul on a transit delivery could be arranged.

Having someone drive it, the suggestion of $1500 plus expenses sounds about right.

Arthur   

[luvrbus]

Any of you guys paying 6 to 8 bucks a mile you are using the wrong outfit is all I can say


good luck

[jackhartjr]

Kyle will chime in at some point, he knows a LOT about movin' these wonderful things!
Jack
And that move was more like $3.10 a mile...most charge both ways.
Jack

[Van]

No kidding on the 8 bucks a mile . I am sure there are a few unemployed busnuts here with the experience that could use the extra cash and drive your coach to your destination for a fraction of the commercial outfits, provided that the bus is up to the trip , just another alternative

[kyle4501]

My experience is that the cost starts at ~$100 per hour the hauling rig is away from home base. That has worked out to about $2.00 per mile of the truck or ~$4.00 per loaded mile for me.
Of course, this assumes the truck shows up & simply loads the bus onto the trailer. If the truck driver has to prep the bus for towing, then you're gonna be paying ~$100 per hour.

There are many outfits that can haul your bus, but they aren't all towing companies - some are specialized hauling outfits. The one I use doesn't advertise & only takes new customers if they are referred by someone he knows.

[TomC]

$3.10/mile charging both ways sounds like $6.20 one way-so the 2500 miles from Seattle to Houston would still be $15,500.00.  Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

I got a firm price for him not knowing where in Texas I used Austin 4000.00 bucks I am sure I can beat that price with a few more calls.Don't use a towing co they charge big time

good luck