Recovery possibilities FL 800 miles?

[SandBar]

I may be picking up a deuce for a nice price about 800 miles away. I am contemplating just how to get it home if I move ahead with the deal. The hurdle:

She starts and moves well. Brakes are non existent. They have been using a lowboy to move from location to location.

I got a quote for a lowboy rental and it came in at 1,800, ouch. My other known option is to take lots of tools and hope I can get the brakes working.

Can these be towed with a big enough truck and a huge tow dolly? Anyone up by the Alabama/Florida border have a tow vehicle for hire

I am leaning towards fixing the brakes, in which case maybe I just need a SS friend to meet me there to debug the issue. The fellow who owns it said it can be worked on there with no problem.

 

[hndrsonj]

You aren't going to tow one with a pickup and dolly. I wouldn't go 800 miles unless I had a spare airpack, master, at least 2 wheel cylinders, hose set, and a gallon of DOT 5. Plus you will need tools, jack, jack stands, hub socket etc.....

The list will be long.

 

[SandBar]

So either a ton of spare parts and tools or find a more economical towing company/person. Any SS coming south in FL with a 5 ton + trailer?

 

[73m819]

Repairing on a distant, strange site can turn into a BIG can of worms, not knowing what is wrong, NOT what someone else THINKS is wrong

 

[wreckerman893]

Where is the vehicle located?

You can check Uship or other sites that help people get stuff moved.

The trouble wtih hauling something to central FL on a flatbed is that there is not much stuff to haul back and that means deadheading back or a real cheap load back to another area.

If you get lucky you might find a flatbed trucker that runs out of your area and needs a backhaul from where your truck is located.

If you have a big enough truck you can flat tow it back but that is not an operation for the inexperienced or faint of heart......plus fuel would prob bite you in the buttocks.

Sometimes a good price on a vehicle is outweighed by the cost and logistics of getting it home.

 

[SandBar]

Story is, air system is fine but brakes still not working. It is "air over hydraulics" the man says, and when the local utility stopped using it they never bothered to figure out why the brakes went out.

Edit: It is in Crestview FL. Looking up uship as well. Any ideas on finding a trucker needing to backhaul something?

 

[BKubu]

As a guide, figure $2.50/mile. I have had trucks hauled recently for that...including contracting with a trucker this past week.

My recommendation...find a truck closer to you. You are going to spend at least the $1800 you quoted to get the truck home...plus what you paid. You very well might find a truck closer for less money.

 

[seano11]

Go rent a Uhaul cube truck and a set of tow bars. Or if I did my measurements correct the biggest Uhaul truck you can rent should be able to put a m35 in the cargo area lol Just a idea

 

[SandBar]

If they rented a truck big enough I would so do that. Seriously I can get the truck in trade for a laptop.. soo.... if I can make it work then I want to try. * Friend of the family owns the truck now.

 

[hndrsonj]

Go rent a Uhaul cube truck and a set of tow bars. Or if I did my measurements correct the biggest Uhaul truck you can rent should be able to put a m35 in the cargo area lol Just a idea

Pretty sure the U-haul tow bar is WAY too light, the trucks don't have pintle hitches for the med bar, and lastly a deuce won't fit in a U-Haul.

 

[SandBar]

Pretty sure the U-haul tow bar is WAY too light, the trucks don't have pintle hitches for the med bar, and lastly a deuce won't fit in a U-Haul.

I do have an M353 coming home soon (...euc...). Might make a killer tow dolly. Where there is a will there is a way!

Edit: I made a grave mistake, it is only 500 miles and change. Not a large improvement but an improvement.

 

[hndrsonj]

I do have an M353 coming home soon (...euc...). Might make a killer tow dolly. Where there is a will there is a way!

Once you get the trailer you'll dismiss that idea too.

 

[phil2968]

414 miles from me here in Lakeland. Where are you? I could maybe help. It would be on the weekend though.
How are the tires? You will need jacks and lug wrenches for a tire swap. Has this truck ever had a title? Make sure the title is clear and in the sellers name before buying.

 

[Stonepicker1]

How soon do you need it brought back to Central Fl ?

La Rally is at the end of this month. I may have to make a trip up from Ft. Lauderdale and back.
I was going in the CUCV-II with Trailer hauling some A/C kits, but could take my M923 with med towbar and tow lights and flat tow the duce back.(I have done this kind of tow many times). The fuel price would be high.
I know a lot of people up in that area of the woods.
How are the tires on the duece?

 

[porkysplace]

Pretty sure the U-haul tow bar is WAY too light, the trucks don't have pintle hitches for the med bar, and lastly a deuce won't fit in a U-Haul.

If you do make it fit , I don't think you will get your deposit back .

 

[SandBar]

Thanks all, going to pass on this one and wait for one closer or maybe reconsider a 5 ton.

 

[3dAngus]

How about PMing me the address and POC if you are going to pass.

I might swing by and take a look at the brakes and take a chance on it if you are no longer interested.

 

[RACKSBBQ]

the other issue is assuming you can in a best case scenario fix the brakes, which is doubtful considering you dont know what parts you may need , etc..... you then are going to drive it 800 miles? did i get the plan right? cause that's a crazy plan in my opinion.

pay to ship it. especially if you are trading for a laptop.

or print out this thread so you have something to read on the side of I-75 at 3 am when you are broken down. lol

 

[cajun666]

the other issue is assuming you can in a best case scenario fix the brakes, which is doubtful considering you dont know what parts you may need , etc..... you then are going to drive it 800 miles? did i get the plan right? cause that's a crazy plan in my opinion.

pay to ship it. especially if you are trading for a laptop.

or print out this thread so you have something to read on the side of I-75 at 3 am when you are broken down. lol

That not funny !