How to Move a Travel Trailer Without a Car

Travel trailers are a delight to own and camp in. If you’ve ever owned a travel trailer, you know that everything seems more fun when you’re in it. What other living space have you ever been in that has a breathtaking new view out the window every day?

No wonder the travel-trailer market is growing, with the global market expected to reach $590.5 million by 2028.  You can take a travel trailer with you to beautiful vistas or turn anywhere on the road into a home away from home.  

Indeed, mobile homes have assumed such a prominent place in our culture that some people opt for models nicer than the vast majority of land-locked houses. Consider, if you will, actor Will Smith’s opulent $2.5 million, 1,200-square-foot, two-story  “toterhome,” which features French wood and 100,000 pounds of granite. 

The popularity of trailer homes also has widened the ranges of shapes and sizes in which they’re available, so that on the other end of the spectrum there are models barely big enough to hold a toilet. In the smallest of these, you sit atop the closed toilet to take a shower. That’s small!

What does all this mean? Simply that a whole lot of people today love and own travel trailers. Maybe you’re one of them. If you are, there may well be times you need to move yours from one place to another without enjoying the views along the way—such as when you have to, say, relocate and take your travel trailer along to your new home. Or, maybe you’ve purchased a travel trailer and need it transported to you. Perhaps your hauling vehicle is suddenly unavailable, or you don’t have access to one heavy enough to do the hauling.

So what can you do?  

Fortunately, you have a few options to get your trailer or RV where it needs to go. 

Drive Or Transport Your Travel Trailer to Its Destination 

Besides driving your travel trailer, you have the option of hiring a truck and driver to haul it on a flatbed tractor-trailer. The cost of this is similar to hiring a local moving service and a single pickup with a hitch attachment to do the hauling.

Having your trailer towed to you is practical for short-distance transports in safe regions. 

A more secure option is to have your travel trailer shipped on a flatbed through an RV shipping service. This saves miles on the tires and reduces travel wear-and-tear on the road. Your travel trailer will be loaded with one to three other RVs and trailers to be transported for medium to long distances from its current location to your chosen destination. 

The trailer will be rolled onto the flatbed transport and secured and then shipped with great care so that it arrives in excellent condition for your next camping adventure. 

Preparing Your RV or Trailer for Transport 

How can you ensure your RV, travel trailer, or camper has the best experience when being transported?  

The road can be bumpy, so you’ll want to be sure to follow certain procedures in preparing for transport. Plan to do the following: 

• Arrange for RV Transport Insurance 

Always arrange for travel insurance, even for your camper. When an item of importance and high value is being transported, it’s worth your time to arrange for temporary transport insurance in case your vehicle encounters flying pebbles or hailstones enroute. 

• Batten Down the Hatches 

Lock down your RV like you are about to hit an unpaved campground road. Wrap and secure the dishes or remove them for safe separate transport. Lock the cabinets, benches, and storage areas. Close and secure any slide-outs or other handy sliding features. Make sure that if your RV was rocked or shook that you would not find a mess inside as a result.

• Take Down Decor and Pack Up Breakables 

Don’t let your favorite decor fly around pell-mell in transit. Take down framed pictures, artwork, or lighting that may fall during a bumpy ride. Wrap anything that might break or rattle and pack smaller compartments tightly to lock in personal items. 

• Disconnect and Inspect 

Disconnect batteries and gas lines. Make sure nothing is powered, then inspect the batteries and all camper appliances to make sure everything is safe. Drain and sanitize the tanks; now is a great time, with no one in the camper for a few weeks. Air out the camper before sealing up the doors and windows.

Travel Trailer Transport Pickup 

Your transport partner will likely give you a pickup window when the flatbed is available to swing by your driveway or the trailer’s location. Make sure you or someone you trust is available to handle the hand-off and sign for the initial inspection. Your RV will likely be sharing a flatbed with one to three other campers, and may or may not be the first unloaded. 

How Long Does Travel-Trailer Delivery Take? 

Travel-trailer transport typically takes 6-20 days, depending on the distance and route. ShipLux can often make a cross-country delivery in 6-10 days, but trailers may take longer due to the increased weight and decreased travel speed for flatbed trucks. 

Concierge RV and Trailer Shipping with ShipLux 

Are you in need of transport for your travel trailer, RV, or camper? If you want the best white-glove service and to put the fewest miles on your camper when it’s not in your personal use, ShipLux can provide sleek, concierge trailer transportation services to suit your needs and your travel schedule. Contact us today to book your pickup and delivery windows for destinations around the world.