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A Flatbed: The Best Trailer for Hauling and Shipping an RV/Motorhome
William Thomas
Senior Logistics Manager
There are different ways of moving recreational vehicles from one point to the next, but the best and most effective method is by using a flatbed. For starters, all the wheels of the RV will be totally off the ground, which means that there will be no tear, wear, or any other form of mechanical damage to the RV body and tires during transportation. Hauling motorhomes with flatbeds also eliminates the danger of an RV swaying or whipping and causing accidents when pulling it behind a tow truck.
The shipping vehicle can either be a step-deck or a flatbed. Unlike other methods, flatbeds can be loaded with more than one recreational vehicles and tow them safely over a very long distance. Superior backing up capabilities is another advantage of using flatbed trailers to ship RVs. Also, with the RVs off the ground, hauling them via smooth interstate highways and through rough and bumpy rural roads wouldn’t be a problem as trailers are designed for cruising through any road surface—the same can’t be said for motorhomes. Even though they are designed with two or more wheels for pulling or driving, they cannot be pulled or driven through all kind of road surfaces without sustaining body, mechanical (e.g. suspensions) and tire damages, not to mention loosening and wearing off the inbuilt appliances. As evident, the best and safest way to ship an RV/motorhome is by loading it on a flatbed trailer.
How to Load an RV/Motorhome on a Trailer for Easy Hauling
For a quick and easy loading process, you need a trailer with a central rail system. You also need a trailer and a towing truck with the loading capacity that matches the weight of the recreational vehicles(s). When the two aforementioned conditions are met, all it takes to relocate the RV is an experienced driver and a guide or spotter. At the pick-up point, reverse the trailer as close to the RV as possible. Make sure the brakes are up, the emergency indicators are on, and the trailer’s wheels are chocked before setting up the ramps and the center rail. Then connect the adjustable wheel tower to the RV/motorhome receiver using a matching hitch ball. For instance, all trailers under 3500 lbs. can use a 2-inch hitch ball and trailers above 17,000 lbs. can use 2 5/16 lbs. hitch ball. The next step is to connect a winch to the motorhome’s frame. To do so, our experts use an axle strap to avoid scratching the paint.
The next step is to use the winch to pull the trailer. While doing so, the jack must be inside the rail, and the RV’s tires must align with the ramps. After moving the RV to the right position on the trailer bed, replace the adjustable wheel tower with a matching ball tower standard and secure the assembly with a safety pin. The final step is a securement process. It starts by securing the frame and the ball tower to the rail using a safety chain, then the wheels using over the wheel straps, to any other hanging parts that can get damaged while trucking. Proper securement may mean the difference between a smooth hauling process and a potential disaster. Loading the second motorhome will follow the same steps. If the motorhome is a few meters away from the trailer, Ultra-Tow Heavy-Duty Adjustable Trailer Dolly is attached to the RV receiver and using the winch; the motorhome is towed closer to the trailer where the trailer dolly is replaced with the adjustable tower wheel before pulling it up the ramps.
Loading and unloading process for step deck trailers is much safer for everybody involved.
RV Shipping Preparation Tips for Long Haul
RVs/Motorhomes are designed in different shapes and sizes. They also have different features all which need to be put into consideration for a successful trucking and hauling. Below are some of the details that we may request from a client for adequately planning on successful shipping of the RVs/motorhomes.
The pick-up and delivery locations. For obvious reasons we need to know where we are picking your RV/motorhome for delivery. It will also help us to plan well on the loading, finding the best route to follow, and efficient offloading of the RV
The type and the number of motorhomes you need to transport. This will help us to know if there are any special requirements we will have to plan for.
The condition of the RV/motorhome. We need to know if the RV is towable so that we can adequately plan for smooth loading and hauling.
Once we have all the information needed, our logistic team will start preparing all the paperwork and apply for necessary permits while our shipping experts will be prepping the required trucking equipment for seamless delivery of your RV/motorhome. Whether the drop off location is in North America, Mexico or Canada, Heavy Haulers will transport and deliver your recreational vehicles safely and timely.
Common Types of RVs/Motorhomes Heavy Haulers Ships
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