I just bought a '47 1 1/2 ton Flat Bed for restoration. The truck is in Vacaville, CA(near Sacramento) and need to have shipped to Los Angeles. Distance is 400 miles.Getting some ridiculous quotes. Does anyone know of a good transporter? The vehicle is a roller, steers, tires are old but hold air and will need a winch to load. Help! Thanks

 

Has your helper been successful in removing the outer duals and rearranging the tires accordingly?

Commercial car moving services are going to charge, especially considering the size and non-driving condition.

If the vehicle is registered/insured, some of the specialty insurance providers have roadside/towing programs you maybe able to shoehorn.

You may find you are better off trailing it yourself if you or a buddy has the equipment.

Others will be along with companies they have used and the pros and cons. But as with most of everything, prices have gone up...

You can also cross post to the more active and trafficked 48-56 forum to get more eyeballs and recommendations.

 

When I had a 1940 1 1/2 ton flatbed I was able to tow it on a 16 foot car trailer with the rear outer dual tire removed but a 17-18 foot trailer would make things easier. My guess is that if you find a commercial transporter willing to take on the job it will be pricey. There are several reputable transporters who advertise on the Ford Barn and the HAMB who might be willing to do the job but they are usually booked well in advance. IMO your best bet is to do the job yourself. But it will require a trailer with brakes (the Grapevine is a long and steep downhill grade). UHaul won't cut it nor would they rent it to you based on what you will be hauling. Plus at least a 3/4 ton truck. JMO

 

Being in Ca, with the cost of fuel there, insurance, DOT laws and regulations, ect, I would expect the cost to be around $4.50 to $5.00 per mile for any commercial carrier to do it, if you can even find a commercial carrier to do it for that.

That would most likely be for round trip miles. The odds of someone from your area being where the truck is and wanting to get back home to your area are very slim.

 

I sent a mobile mechanic as you know but it was a complete waste of $300. I've been saying from the start that even though the tires are in poor condition they're tube type so I knew it was worth starting by trying to air them up.. Shure enough the fronts went up and all he had to do was replace the valves in the valve stems because they were bad. Fronts have been holding more than 2 weeks. Turns out the people I bought it from had air compressor all along so didn't need the mechanic. The vehicle has been sitting for 3 years and rears still are holding although somewhat soft. So, I had the mechanic try to loosen rear nuts but says very tight. I don't know how hard he tried. I can deal with that if i just can get here. I would gladly move it myself. I used to be in auto racing so have experience with moving wrecked and immobile vehicles. Problem is I have neither truck or trailer. The vehicle is registered. Thanks again

 

A few steps forward, sideways, and backwards. Don't let it be defeat. You'll get it worked out.

As for lug tightness, there are reverse thread on one side and also torqued to over 400 ft lbs. Mix in some time in the elements and the nested nut style they can throw the uninitiated for a real loop.