The Ultimate RV Camper Trailer Transportation Checklist

Is there anything better than hitting the open road in your Recreational Vehicle (RV) camper?! Whether you are a seasoned RV-er or new to the excitement, once you start off on your RV adventure, the world truly feels like your oyster as you get to enjoy new locations, unbelieve nature and memorable sights. Let’s just say it: your normal home doesn’t allow you to see all fifty states! 

While you tend to be the pilot and chief operator of your beloved RV, there are indeed instances when you might need some transportation support. This is where the dedicated team at ShipLux can step in to save the day! 

What is an RV?

We think it’s important to clarify a few misconceptions as sometimes the word “RV” becomes interchangeable with many other camping vehicles and pop-up homes. Technically, RVs can be interchanged with the names travel trailers, motorhomes, fifth wheels, popup campers and even truck campers! RV’s offer a unique chance to glamp, combining the comforts of home while still being deeply immersed in nature and the outdoors. 

What it can’t be interchangeable with is “motorhome.” There is a clear distinction between RV and motorhome as a motorhome is an RV that is drivable! Rather than being drivable, RV’s are actually towed by a vehicle and used as accommodations after arriving at the final destination, whether that’s a campground, rest stop, or somewhere else.

Situations You Need To Ship/Tow Your RV 

So, you may be thinking, why on earth would I need to get my RV towed if I can drive it!? 

Well, there are actually plenty of reasons you may find yourself in the need of ShipLux’s incredible services. 

1. Bringing Home Your New Toy

After a long, laborious search for the perfect RV, you may have found the one for you, but it’s located across the country. It may not be feasible to drive it back home yourself. 

2. You Do Not Have A Truck Or Towable Vehicle 

You may own a vehicle that you are more than happy with and it does the trick in your everyday life — except it doesn’t have the towing capability. There is no point in going out and splurging on a truck or compatible SUV if you live in a city with small streets and parking capacities! So, why not let us professionals move and transport your RV for you? Talk about 5-star service! 

3. You Don’t Want That Stress In Your Life 

We can’t say we blame you for this one as towing an RV can be stressful and take away from the fun of the trip and just lead to increased anxiety and worry. Focus on the fun time!  Or maybe you have limited vacation days, so to make the most of it, it’s better to show up and have your RV there and waiting for you. 

4. Save Money 

You already splurged on your holiday! So, rather than paying for the gas, toll prices by axle, and wear-and-tear on your vehicle, there can be a lot of hidden costs involved when you haul your RV yourself. 

5. You Are Moving Far Or Abroad 

 You may want to take your RV to Hawaii or Europe (if it isn’t too big) or anywhere else in the world. Rely on ShipLux to help you get it there in one piece! 

Trailer Towing VS Trailer Hauling 

ShipLux offers two methods of getting your portable home from A to B! 

Let’s start with trailer towing! 

Towing an RV requires a heavy-duty vehicle with ample hauling power at the ready. The type of vehicle with enough power is trucks or semi trucks, which will then have an appropriate trailer hitch attached to the back, with the RV attached and pulled to the final destination. 

The RV will be typically attached via a receiver hitch, which is the most common and can be attached to almost any vehicle. These hitches have a hollow tube that connects different towing accessories without much intervention or modification to the actual vehicle. These are fine for smaller RVs.  

However,  the bigger and heavier the RV gets, there are different classes of receiving hitches. 

ShipLux can support,

• Pintle Hitch:  Pintle hitches are efficient, imploring a hook and ring to secure the tow load and come in many shapes, sizes and capacities which can tow anything from 10,000 to 150,000 pounds. 
• Ball Hitch: A ball hitch connects to a ball located on or underneath the rear bumper of the tow vehicle and depending on ball size can tow 2,000 – 30,000 pounds.
• Gooseneck hitches: A gooseneck hitch is a truck bed hitch that connects to a gooseneck trailer using a hitch ball and mounts underneath the truck bed and bolts on, pulling up to 30,000 pounds or more! 
• Fifth wheel hitch: The fifth wheel hitch is a large, flat plate that has a shape similar to a horseshoe that connects to the RV, not too dissimilar to the gooseneck. 

Aren’t sure what would work for your RV? That is why we are here! We will ensure no mistakes are made and your RV is taken securely and safely via the right hitch. We will even provide your RV with a temporary license if you need one for transportation purposes.

The only caveat with RV Trailer is that your RV is more privy to inevitable outside effects including debris, the weather and despite all the security measures we take, petty theft, graffiti, or damage. Basically, when your RV has reached its final destination, it will need a scrub! We recommend trailer towing for shorter-distance travel.

Trailer Hauling 

Our alternative top RV service is trailer hauling. With this service, your RV wheels will never touch the ground throughout its journey. Instead, your RV will be treated with the utmost care and precision, being carefully loaded into the most appropriate trailer, such as

• Flatbed trailer: One of the most common methods used to move bulk, heavy, or large pieces of equipment,  this method has a flatbed that bends along naturally to support heavy loads. Equipment is then secured with strains, chains, and other powerful bindings. 
• Low-boy trailer: Per the name, low-boy trailers have a lower profile, allowing it to haul oversized items that exceed typical height restrictions. Low bed trailers are particularly helpful for superior stability despite the weight. 
• RGN trailer: RGN trailers are high-tech! These fancy trailers can be lowered right down to the ground to create a ramp for large RVs to be put on simply. The beauty of an RGN means additional equipment for loading and unloading isn’t needed.  
• Specialty trailer: Used more rarely, speciality trailers include a step deck and double drop trailer for additional room and ease of loading and unloading. It’s important to note that these trailers tend to require special permits. 

Getting your trailer hauled saves miles on the tires and reduces unnecessary travel wear and tear. When you opt for halting, your RV will have company, so don’t worry! Depending on the trailer type, there will be one – three other RVs with them for the ride. 

We are leaders in the industry of specialized vehicle transport! This means if your fifth wheel is missing a wheel, we can work with that. Our creative time will get it safely rolling,  secured and en route.  Whatever trailer your RV needs, everything is taken care of! 

What is included with ShipLux transport? 

Our dedicated team is so keen to give you—and your RV— a wonderful shipping experience. So whether you wish to opt for trailer towing or hauling, the following is guaranteed:

1. A dedicated agent who will take your RV details such as type, dimensions, and condition. You tell us where you prefer pickup and delivery and what timeline you need for the transport.
2. Loading and unloading, including any additional services such as a crane or other equipment! 
3. Application for special permits, when applicable 
4. Pilot or escort cars that will trail your RV for the duration of the haul to ensure safety and protection 
5. Transparent pricing without any crazy, hidden fees—the price you’re given is the price you paid, guaranteed. 
6. 24/7 communication systems in place to let you speak to your logistic team for clear updates and time of day or night. 

Preparing Your RV For The Trip 

There is alot you as the owner can do to make your RVs trip a bit easier and a lot more comfortable for it!  To send your baby safely on its way, always read the owner’s manual for specific requirements. However in general:

• Secure latches on doors, windows, and cabinets.
• Secure or remove any items hanging on the walls.
• Turn off all appliances and electronics.
• Disconnect the power supply and gas lines.
• Make sure there are no loose items within the RV.
• Latch and secure all cargo doors, chains, etc
• Lock slide-outs if your RV has them.
• Check fluid levels for any leaks.
• Secure tow bar and hitch.
• Inspect the battery.
• Verify that service and parking brakes function as they should.

One step to never miss when transporting your RV is insurance! These portable homes do not come cheap and as a high-value item, it’s in your best interest to arrange for temporary transport insurance. This will protect your RV for many years to come and allow for fixing any bumps or issues that may occur without the headache. 

Prior to the trip, if you notice any issues with your RV, it’s imperative you share this with us so we know how best to handle your specifics as safely as possible.  

How Long Does Delivery Take? 

This will depend! Typically for towing, we recommend this option for shorter distances so it may only take a few days. 

When it comes to your RV getting a ride with a travel trailer, it typically takes anywhere between 6-20 days, depending on how your RV is going and what route the driver needs to take. It is possible for ShipLux to make cross-country delivery in 6-10 days, but trailers may take longer due to the increased weight and decreased travel speed for flatbed trucks.

Naturally, we need to follow the regulations set out by The Department of Transportation, which states that commercial drivers are permitted to drive an average of 500 miles each day. So, to ensure the safety and well-being of our drivers, others on the road and the precious cargo they are hauling, our drivers take regular breaks. 

There are also two factors that we at ShipLux can never control, as much as we’d love to! These two factors are weather and traffic! If there is adverse weather, such as high winds or icy, snowy roads, this can cause a delay. So can unpredicted traffic or excessive construction. 

These factors can impact the time frame of the delivery timeframe but our stellar customer service representative will inform you of any changes or updates. 

What Is The Cost Of Transporting An RV?

The best way to obtain the most accurate price is by completing one of our easy quotes! We cannot offer a flat rate as there are many variable factors, such as the size and type of your RV, the distance it’s going, the condition of the RV, what season it is, supply and demand and everyone’s least favorite factor: gas prices.

That being said, we can say that on average, it costs around $3.32 if your RV is going less than 100 miles and $1.05 for less than 1,000 miles— so if you’re not going very far, your costs may technically go down, but the price per mile is higher. 

Other factors that will push the price point down?

• Season: If you have flexibility with your schedule, use that to your advantage and consider shipping your RV between September – November. This is because the demand shoots right down, meaning a few extra pennies in your pocket. 
• Location: As we offer door-to-door service, the more rural or far-fetched your location is, the more expensive it will be. So, if you live somewhere popular and commonly traversed, there will be more drivers going that way, meaning it can be cheaper. 

The best way to get the costs is to get a free quote directly! 

Conclusion

Your RV is a treasured possession that should only be trusted in good hands. Allow ShipLux to do that for you! Our team is licensed, bonded, insured, and hassle-free. We encourage you to contact us to learn more about how we can support you in transporting your RV as stress-free as possible!