RV/5th wheel delivery

I agree with you Mr. Brickman. I used the 7000lb figure because that is the number he had previously posted in his calculations. Maybe he has a really tricked out lightweight F-350...I dunno? My Dodge diesel dually 4-door 4x4 with me (220lbs), 35 gals fuel, oil (and NOTHING else) weighs just under 8000lbs. Add a bedliner, gooseneck/fifth wheel setup, etc, etc, and, like you said, your going to be in the 8500lb range.

 

Hey tomhorn....I looked into hotshot hauling with my dually not too long ago and came to the same conclusion regarding the CDL. FWIW, obtaining a Class A CDL permit can easily be done in one day with a little study of the handbook. The best part is you can complete the skills portion (pre-trip, vehicle control, and on-road driving) of the Class A CDL testing using a dually and an RV (for example). You'll wind up with a Class A CDL with an air brake restriction for very little money! I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

Two things.

Get an F-450 instead of a 350, you won't be sorry. Can handle more weight safely.

Get a car hauler with two axles and dual tires instead of three single wheel axles. The tire wear on triple axle trailers is horrible because of all the tire scrub when turning. Six single tires are also not as stable as four sets of duals, especially in cross winds or uneven roads.

Check out the Big Tex 20-AC hauler. It's a real good trailer.

 

Here in northern In. the heart of rv manufacturing car lots are full of 3 year old duallies with 300,000 miles+ they can't give away. In fact most local banks won't finance a duallie unless it's for personal use. It' not an economy friendly job either. You will learn to sleep in your cab as there is no money for motels I wouldn't recomend it to anybody. I have many freinds who lost everything including thier wifes and children trying this game.

 

I use to work for a transport compnay.. we moved new semi's ..new RV's.. garbage trucks.. Ryder trucks.. meat wagons.. military ...you name it.. we moved it.. we even moved double decker buses a few times. Pay was low..if you wasnt a chase driver.. I towed my own car behind what ever I was moving.. so I got paid for all miles.. but still sucked.. I still say.. find a person who will let you drive for them.. so you can see how it pays..

 

Now to muddy up the water a little. Most oversize escorts get $1.35 to $1.45 a mile plus $60 a night out. You can rig up a car for $500, plus get a million dollar liability policy. Get a state certification like Virgina and be in business for $1500 - $2000 plus a car, you don't need a $50,000 pick up. There are brokers for pilot cars.

 

I have talked to some that were only getting .50 per mile. Never heard of brokers for them.

 

Great thread but one thing that hasn't been discussed is the GCWR of the F-350/3500. Legally you can't exceed the GCWR listed on the door jamb. So, even if you are under 26k lbs you could still be pulled over and ticketed because 1 ton's are not rated for anywhere near 26k lbs. This is another good argument for the F-450-650.