Hey HAMBers! Been admiring vintage campers for some time now and just took the plunge with my recent acquisition of a 55 Aloha. Now, I'm looking for a reputable shipper that can PROPERLY pick it up from Cle Elum, WA 98922 and deliver it to me in West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Any leads will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
calling Mr. Ben D... Seriously, give him a P.M. I've used his services a couple of times and he's great.
Neat little caravan.......I bet it will be like a mobile oven in that Florida sun......I guess you'll be fitting a monster AC system ?
Congrats! That's a great lookin' trailer with lots of character. Sure is a loooong haul from home though.
Thanks for the referral guys! Contacting BenD now. Yep it's far way. Map route says 3190 miles. I've been looking for cool 55 camper to go with my 55 Bel Air wagon. Took about a year, but looks like it'll be worth the wait. Hopefully it's as nice as the pics show the past owner sent me, bullet holes(?) and all.
Put your money in the running gear ... Then go make a nice trip and tow it home ... If this is going to be trailered on the road, replace the axle - hangers - leaf springs. You can buy a complete Dexter EZ Lube axle with Never Adjust brakes complete with leaf springs for less than $500. Replace the tires & rims. Install a battery with breakaway switch. Replace the coupler - extend the tongue so you don't hit the front corners on tight turns. Have the Seller locate a good trailer repair shop in his area to do the work. This trailer was intended to be towed no faster than 55 m.p.h. If you spin a bearing, by the time you realize it the wheel will have destroyed the trailer ... I flatbedded well over 100 vintage trailers before I switched to an enclosed trailer to haul with ..... Jim
Loppy, did you price the shipping before you committed to buy it? If so, you would have known you'll be paying about $1.00 per mile for the cheapest transport you can find. Regardless of what the trailer cost, I'm thinking an additional $3000 would have made it "unaffordable". Good advice Ben. When a shipper recommends you go get it yourself, you've got to know that he is honestly trying to help you out.
Find you a reputable shipper,you don't want it destroyed. U-Ship just gives the load to the lowest bidder . They do carry insurance but you want what you bought,not your money back.
Thanks for all the great info guys. It's been on uShip for a few days now. Still waiting on a few shippers to respond with quotes. Kudos to BenD who got back to me in less than one day. Unfortunately, he doesn't serve the Northwest. So, depending on the quotes I get, I'm still preparing to go get it myself. Love road trips!
Update! Found and booked a shipper through uShip this morning. He has it loaded and heading east! Schwing! Thanks for all the reply's here! The HAMB rocks! I'll update when it arrives! Thanks!
NOT if you watch "Storage Wars"! I'd advise you fly out rent a Ryder rental truck that it will fit in and enjoy the landscape on the way home. Bob
Well, what did it cost? I'm not usually nosey about these things, as its none of my business but I'm curious how much you saved over my $1 per mile estimate.
I went onto uShip last Thursday, signed up and placed an ad. I immediately got a few bids. After waiting a few days I got more bids. Compared prices, researched their ratings, and picked one. Paid $2800. I'd say it's a good deal all logistics considered. And, I get to stay home and work on my other projects. The cross country trip this time of year would have been great! But, time is money afterall!
Is Dave, Darrell, Jarrod, and Barry doing shipping now? Hmmm, I thought it was Roy, Marc, Jennifer, Jarrett, and the new couple. Shippin wars!
Not true! The customer has a choice of who gets the ship contract, usually decided by price AND feedback rating. Is that Darrell bidding?
The customer only gets to choose from someone on Uship...thats not much of a choice. Kinda like choosing to eat cat crap or dog crap
The shipper has been great and updating me as he makes progress. He was in Dallas yesterday so should be another couple days.
Mission accomplished!!! The Aloha arrived safely on Friday at noon! It looks awesome! Like anything, I'll have to go through it and put my personal touch on it. But, what a great point to start! I haven't seen the Shipping show so I can't comment. But like most TV, it's all B.S. drama! I can honestly report first hand the uShip experience was very good. The shipper I chose was completely professional. He communicated very well, and delivered on time! His name is Freddie Lovvron of Lovvorn & Company Llc. located in Wetumpka Alabama. Look him up if you need something shipped. Here's a pic of it home with my 64 C-10 daily driver.
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