Hauling Recreational Vehicles

Man I wouldn't even consider it! Nothing against your truck, OK? But there is quite a difference between pulling your huntin' trailer out to the woods to spend the night, when you're huntin' Bambi, and trying to make a living, or even supplement a living, using it like this. Could it do it? Sure, for a while. But remember, your truck is only as strong as its weakest part.
Another reason I'd not be interested in it, is finding someone who would LET you work for them with the F150. I've known folks with 3/4 T diesels to be turned down in this type of operation where they won't even talk to you, if you don't have at least a 1 ton.
And speaking of the 1 ton, at one point I had both my 96 F250 Powerstroke, and a '97 F350 dually, with the big block 460. It was a real dog on hills, with any load on it at all. I pedaled that truck after just a year or so. It just wouldn't compare to the diesel.

 

I can't figure out why people post the same questions over and over. If you would take just a little time and read back through the dozens of post's you could find your answers.

 

I did tow-away for the first two years and drive-away for the past 3. I only did it during season, (March to mid June/July). I hate to admit it, but I may take a pass for now. I make about $300 - 400 a week doing Uber in north Dallas, (Plano/Richardson area), for 3-5 days a week. Much nicer people to deal with.

It’s a hard decision to go back this year.

 

I would strongly advise against a new 1-ton bought specifically to do this type of work and here is why: depreciation and insurance liability. A lot of people don't think about this stuff.

You roll off the lot in a brand new whatever and go rack up 100,000 miles in a year and you basically just destroyed half of its value in 12 months. Now here is where it could really get ugly...the unthinkable happens and 1-2 years down the line the truck somehow gets wrecked and declared a total loss while you've still got a hefty balance on the bank loan. The insurance company is only going to pay out blue book and you can be darn sure that amount will not come anywhere close to covering the balance you owe the bank if you've only been paying on it for a year or two. Guess who's going to have a $20,000+ problem on their hands! For personal use vehicles they have something called GAP coverage to address this but you can forget about that if you're using the vehicle in commercial/for hire settings...nobody will offer it to you (that I know of)

If you're planning to buy a truck specifically for this type of work you want one that has already taken most of it's depreciation hit and has settled down to a hard value. And ideally you can pay cash for it. You can do okay as long as you aren't forking out $10-15 grand a year in truck payments.You'll never make it that way. Hell you can put a whole new engine in a 7.3 Ford or 5.9 Ram for $7-8 grand and have a million mile motor.

 

At least in my state, Dealers offer two types of Gap insurance coverage. One is for personal use, and one is for commercial use. So if you buy a new pickup for hauling be sure to buy the Commercial gap coverage policy. The commercial gap will cost a little more, that's because they know the truck will have a lot more miles put on it.

 

When I did it most of the big RV companies wanted 3/4 ton or larger diesel only. I know smaller outfits allow vans, SUV's and 1/2 tons back then but you got to look at the numbers and see if it is worth it (your time). I used to think some days I would make the same if I was delivering pizzas lol

 

People talk about this like any other part of the industry. It' all comes done to preferrence. Ive talk to some folks and they like it others dont. Depends on what you want and expect. I wouldn't want to leave myself with out a trailer but to start up and plan right I could see you doing good. That' just my thoughts and I imagine someone else with an opinion with say different and so on and so on. Good plan to have another good income coming in before starting a business, but I know guys that have started with nothing and are doing really well.

 

I personally wouldn't think about buying a new truck to pull campers . Get something with some miles on it , some dings and scuffs on the body . The rv transport industry is hard on these trucks . I don't think much profit would be left with a payment. Just my 2 cents

 

That' my thought to. Only way to make it from what I have seen and heard with a big truck payment is hauling more then one

 

I run a 06 Dodge 3500 , I bought it with a bad valve for a song . Did the repairs myself ( mechanic in a former life) , striped the back seat out and added a bed , tv , microwave ( passenger front seat ) mini fridge and an inverter .
These trucks aren't built for this . I figure parts that last 1000 miles on mine last last 100,000 on a big truck . From June to December I ran my truck 80,000 miles , that would really hurt on a new truck for the return you get .
I really enjoy it but I'm thinking it's time to get a truck that's intended for this kind of work and open up a world I've never been a part of - backhauls !