Bus Hauling Advice TN to OR

Pixelhead · August 27, 2012, 11:48:12 PM

I need to have my 1963 Flxible Starliner moved from Chattanooga, TN to Coburg, OR. I'd rather not spend the week it would take to drive it since it has no air conditioning, there is no wall between the engine compartment and drivers seat (it's noisy as hell in there) and it has an empty interior, so I'd also have the expense of hotels, etc.

So, I'd like to find someone with a Landoll or Double-drop with detachable deck that can handle a 34' 3" vehicle. I've had issues moving it on a single-drop deck trailer due to long overhangs on each end.

Can anyone recommend a good company or driver to call to get a quote?

The vehicle is 34'3" long, 96" wide, 9'5" tall and weighs under 18K lbs. The front overhang is 56" long and 13.75 inches at lowest point. The rear overhang is 100" long and 13.5" at lowest point. Here's what it looks like:

I'd like to get it picked up within the next 30 days.

Any advice or connections you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

busguy01 · August 28, 2012, 05:35:31 AM

Nice looking bus! You will faint at the cost to transport - probably in the $4 per mile range. Lots cheaper to install firewall or temp wall in back of driver and a good seat.
Just my thougts
JimH

DMoedave · August 28, 2012, 06:26:52 AM

I agree with the temp firewall and drive option as well.If you cant take off i bet you can find adventrous busnuts for hire! Of course a breakdown and your back at the landall anyway. If you check the archives on this and the Busnut site their are companies that specilize in coaches. nice looking unit.. In our area a good go to guy is evolution Coach in White Have Pa 570-443 fiftyseven hundred. remember you have to pay to get that truck home. Call that show that bids on the crazy loads.

luvrbus · August 28, 2012, 06:50:46 AM

We have a member in the Eagles club if you contact Sonnie Gray he can put you in touch with Bill Watkins he lives in GA and has a loboy that is extends so he can handle any length and run the USA he is a bus owner also .

You shipping the bus to Larry at Paradise Coach ? if so wise choice

good luck

scanzel · August 28, 2012, 06:51:20 AM

There's a crazy reality show on tv that has a bunch of haulers bidding against each other to haul items around the country. Maybe you can find out about them and they can do a show with them bidding on moving your coach.

Seangie · August 28, 2012, 07:39:34 AM

Hmmm if you had someone drive it for you?

2500 Miles @ 8 hours a day = 5 or 6 days -
$600 - 100/night for hotel
$1200 - 200/day for a driver (this may seem low but
$1000 - Fuel @ $4.00/gal at 10mpg
$350 - Per Diem at 50/day
$600.00 - Flight into TN and Out of OR

3750.00 - give or take 500?

If you are paying someone to drive it there may be a few questions to ask about insurance. This may be an added cost.
(You might want to find an independent truck driver who has a CDL and carries their own liability/workmans comp)

I'd do it in a heartbeat but to be honest for a coach as pretty as that, and my lack of experience driving a large vehicle of any type, I am not the person for the job.

-Sean

luvrbus · August 28, 2012, 07:44:41 AM

It would be hauling for me he has too much money invested to turn it over to some driver he doesn't know too much can go wrong

JMO

PCC · August 28, 2012, 07:53:43 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on August 28, 2012, 07:44:41 AM
It would be hauling for me he has too much money invested to turn it over to some driver he doesn't know too much can go wrong

JMO

I think many of us would love to be the driver of that awesome vehicle, but if anything went wrong, it would be something that I (personally) would never be able to forgive myself for.

And that coach is well worth taking the best of care with. It looks fantastic.

I know a few people who might be willing to do the haul, and I will pass this thread to them.

luvrbus · August 28, 2012, 08:50:43 AM

Ben, I sent you a phone number for a guy not far from the bus

good luck

Pixelhead · August 28, 2012, 11:36:58 AM

The destination is Paradise Coach in Coburg, OR. Real nice shop.

I received my first quote from a trucking company that would use an extended Double-Drop with Detachable Deck (RGN), which came in at $15K! If that's what general quotes will be, then I might drive it myself. Just not looking forward to no air conditioning in August.

Having a very experienced and mechanically handy bus nut drive it would be my second choice since it would save me the time (Sean's calculation sounded very do-able). I just don't know how we'd deal with things if there was a breakdown. It's newly repowered and should be generally reliable, but it's not quite at the end of the troubleshooting phase where you work all the bugs out (are the vintage ones ever really?).

Thanks for the advice so far. I have two weeks open near the end of September, which is when I'd consider driving it myself.

-Ben

Ericbsc · August 28, 2012, 12:15:36 PM

I would have a hard time letting anybody drive that one!!! Lots of love ( and cash) there.!!! Bill would be the guy I would trust. He is in GA. Message me if you need his number.

opus · August 28, 2012, 12:59:18 PM

Give this a go: http://www.uship.com/

TomC · August 28, 2012, 01:45:20 PM

$15,000 is a cheap price for a Landoll. 2500miles each way at $4.00/mile would be closer to $20,000.00!

Have someone reliable drive it-install a temp firewall and suitable seat, and the close to $4,000 estimate sounds pretty good. Good Luck, TomC

Dave5Cs · August 28, 2012, 05:54:02 PM

What are we Men or mice, or Busnuts? No one above suggested throwing in a sleeping bag and an air mattress, Ice chest, small propane stove, Porta-potty, Stop when you can and sleep at Wally worlds etc.
And you guys are busnuts, Pshaw.

Now get to working on your trip that you will drive and tell us all about it, AND we want pictures. go on now get on the road dude. Hire a hauler WTH-k (shaking Head walking away)

Dave5Cs

Kenny · August 29, 2012, 06:41:01 PM

Try these guys. I'm negotiating with them right now to move a Flxible clipper.
Super Duty Trucking, Jeremy, 608-two25-eight903
Pagel's Moving Service, Kalebb, 608-seven32-seven722
They are independent movers that appear to have the equipment to do the job. You can wheel and deal with them. If you give them a wide enough window to make your move, they can sometimes find a return load and reduce your cost.

Be aware that going through Iship or any of the other auction sites, the winning bidder to make the move must pay a broker fee to the auction site which the mover has included in his bid you are paying for. If possible fine someone on your own and you'll save the broker fees.
Kenny