Often shipping your RV or camper makes more sense than driving it. If you are going on vacation and are pressed for time, consider having your RV waiting for you at your destination rather than driving it there. If you are transporting your RV to a distant destination consider shipping your RV as the shipping cost may be far less than the gas it takes to drive there, especially with larger, gas-hungry models. So how do you go about shipping an RV? Below weve put together a short guide to RV shipping to help you through the process. Shipping a camper is really very easy; just follow these simple steps:
Get Camper Shipping Quotes. This can be intimidating as there are literally hundreds of trucking companies out there which ship RVs. One word of advice on this: Pick a reputable carrier! There are many one-man, fly-by-night campers shippers out there. Select an RV shipper which has a reputation for moving RVs on time, on budget and without damage. Free services like Shipping Sidekick allow you to get a number of camping shipping rates quotes with one short form. You can then compare the rates for yourself while being assured you are dealing with some of the most reliable RV shipping companies in the business.
Book Your Camper Shipment. Once youve gone through the quotes from the various camper shipping companies select a company which fits your budget and time constraints. You will want to inquire about insurance and this is something you definitely want to consider as it covers your camper against damage en route to its destination. It is also advisable to check the references of the camper shipping companies you are considering as all reputable camper shippers will be willing and able to offer you references from previous customers. If they are unable or unwilling to offer references select another company. Finally, also consider whether your camper will be towed, loaded onto a truck or driven to its destination. Different camper shipping companies offer different types of transport. Obviously trucking the camper saves wear, tear and mileage which may be worth the additional cost.
Prepare Your Camper For Shipping. Any alarms should be turned off during shipping. Secure the latches on all doors, windows and cabinets. Remove loose items from the walls inside the camper and stow all loose items appropriately. Make sure all appliances and electronics are off and disconnect the power supply and gas lines. Secure all exterior cargo doors and pop-outs. The camper should have sufficient gas to be loaded and unloaded (if it is being loaded onto a truck) and all doors should be locked and secured. If the camper is to be towed make sure the tow bar is properly installed and securely latched. It is also not recommended that you fill your camper with small items to be shipped. This may seem like a good way to save on shipping the small items but actually makes your camper more attractive to burglars en route.
Ship Your Camper. Make sure you are on time for the camper pickup and receipt of your camper. Please note that if your RV is being trucked shipping trucks are usually very, very large so if space is limited at either the RV pickup or destination point, a spacious nearby location should be selected such as a grocery store or mall parking lot. This can save much hassle in both the loading and unloading of your RV and is much appreciated by the drivers.
Receive Your Camper. When your camper arrives at its destination you want to immediately do a thorough inspection of the vehicle to note any damage which may have occurred during shipping. Report any such damage immediately to the shipper who will give you the appropriate paperwork for a claim. The camper shipper will then reimburse you for any verifiable damage which occurred if you have the appropriate insurance. The vast majority of campers are shipped without incident but the inspection upon receipt of your camper is crucial to note damage which occurred in shipping and assure there is not a dispute as to when it occurred. If you are not available to immediately receive your camper at its destination most camper shipping companies can arrange for storage until delivery. There is an additional cost for this; inquire with your RV shipping company if this service is needed.
Throughout the process, make sure the camper shipping company has a number where they can reach you. Keep in mind that schedules do change and some delays are beyond the control of the RV shipping companies. By following the above simple guidelines you are well on your way to having a positive camper moving experience. You can then sit back and leave the driving to the camper shipper.
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