Help - How can I get my 6x6 Out West?

Not sure where to post this, so I'll try here...

I'm trying to move an Oshkosh 6x6 cab & chassis from Columbus, Ohio out to California.

According to the mechanic who went over it for me, the Hendrickson suspension with no load is hell to drive to the end of the block and would be a whole lot worse going over the rockies. Plus, the 4.10 gearing is really gonna make for a long trip...

Pricing for a lowboy or splitdeck for that distance seems to be in the $4k+ range which is out of my budget.

I don't know anything about flatbeds, but I'm thinking that at 11' its too tall, but maybe with the wheels off...? Anyone have experience flatbedding CMVs? Its 24' 6" long, which I think would still leave room for a partial load...right?

At this point (assuming I can't find a cost-effective way to ship it), my plan is to buy a dozen sheets of plate steel and work out a way to mount them over the rear axles to soften things up a little. Any other suggestions to make the ride more bearable?

Thanks in advance!

 

Yeah thats my plan at this point.

At 50mph thats a long haul though, especially if it handles like junk.

 

Yeah thanks, I was figuring to drop the pressure down to 75 or 80 psi. Does that seem about right?

 

Gashauler, I guess I won't really know till I get behind the wheel... I was planning on just taking my time and driving it back but then my mechanic said it scared the $h1t out of him just taking it around the block, and what huge cojones I have to be taking it across the country. If I could get it onto a partial load maybe I could afford to have it hauled, but I've been calling around and that doesn't seem too likely. So I'm back to driving it. I've been driving truck locally for years but I've never gone across the country, so I'm actually kind of excited about it as long as it doesn't shake my fillings loose.

Blind Driver, I sure hope its higher than 4, but we'll see. For what its worth, its got a '99 ISM with a Fuller 8LL.

Jumbo, would loading it on a flat & then removing the wheels be an option, or would it still be over height?

Thanks all, for the responses!