Military Vehicles, December 1996,: Transporting/shipping Vehicles -Reply

Transporting/shipping Vehicles -Reply

WIDD-James (RiceJ@silltcmd-smtp.army.mil)
Wed, 04 Dec 1996 11:08:54 -0600

This might be a potential method, however, you need to find a slow
driving student with a working knowledge on mechanics in general or the
M37 specifically. The M37 is geared very low and the Dodge straight six
flathead (or any flathead for that matter) is VERY INTOLERANT of
overspeeding (turning too many RPMs). While they are good dependable
vehicles, they are not at all fast. About 45 mph is the top safe driving
speed for the engine. Anything faster is risking a failed rod. Also, the
average garage will not work on an old military vehicle, so what happens
when you find yourself broken down somewhere on the side of the
road?

While I love to drive my jeeps around, I would not want to drive cross
country without some type of support along for the drive. I have driven
my jeeps several thousand miles, however, when going out on the open
road, it is in either a convoy (there's safety in numbers... in this case, the
ability to help out or tow) or on a trailer.

When you start dealing with old vehicles of any type it is a safe
assumption that something will fail. This was often the case with any
40-50 year old vehicle when they were new. Now we are dealing with
multiple old components and parts. Why do you think you always see
the old car clubs out driving the open road together or loaded on trailers.

I have a friend that routinely has shipped vehicles up to 2 1/2 Tons
without a problem. Of course, the cost is going to vary based upon size
and distance. Many carriers have smaller rigs to carry smaller loads
thus decreasing the overall cost, yet still allowing them to make a profit.
One company used a Dodge dually with a goose neck to move a Deuce
and a half from OK to UT and it was much cheaper than using a "Big
Rig." I don't recall off hand, but I think it was about $600 for the job. If
this will work for a 13500# "deuce", it will surely work for an M37.

Another method is to work with a local carrier to find a rig that is "dead
heading" or returning empty. You might have to wait a few weeks, but
they will back haul for you much cheaper than regular rates. I've found
carriers that have hauled for the cost of fuel just to get truck on the road
that was waiting for a load. A stopped truck isn't making them any
money. If they can get it home for free, they can get it back out on the
road making money.

Hope you can find a way to get your M37 home safely and cheaply.

Jim Rice
RICEJ@USAFAS.ARMY.MIL [work]
jimrice@iamerica.net [home]

>>> Aaron W. Teague <aad744@waldo.angelo.edu> 12/04/96 10:06am
>>>
Another method of getting a vehicle transported is to check local
colleges.
Students are hard up for cash and roadtrips, so pay the gas and food
for them to drive it to you. Provide a way for them to get home and pay a
small profit and they would probably figure out a way to cross the
Atlantic.

I know, I am a student right now and would be happy to drive a m38
across the country. If you find one in west Texas and need it driven to
you, contact me.

Aaron W. Teague aad744@ramail.angelo.edu

Being in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I'm not too close to too many
vehicles for sale, the closest I've found was an 8 hour drive away, so...
I'm curious if its feasable to have a truck shipped of trucked to me, I'm
looking to purchase an M-37 and I don't want to drive it back on an
extended trip. MY options seem to be: Drive it back, trailer it back, or
have somebody else trailer (or truck) it back. Since I'de have to borrow a
truck and trailer to trailer it back I don't really like that solution.
If anybody has any good ideas of how to best get a truck to me, or
know about what it would cost to "ship" it to me ( dollars per pound per
mile ?) I'd appreciate it, thanks.

Soren Barr